Sunshine: A Boutique Powerhouse in Energy and Environmental Law
At first glance, “Sunshine” might not sound like the name of a law firm. But step a little closer,…
At first glance, “Sunshine” might not sound like the name of a law firm. But step a little closer, and you’ll discover a specialist powerhouse with an international footprint — and a story as distinctive as its name.
Founded in 1995, Sunshine Law Firm has built its reputation by focusing sharply on energy, environment, and infrastructure. Its mission: to support clients navigating these critical industries. From the beginning, the firm has stayed true to a clear vision — to be the go-to law firm for energy, environmental, and infrastructure clients.
Starting in Zhejiang Province, Sunshine has expanded its services to more than 60 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Along the way, it has been consistently ranked among China’s top law firms by Chambers, IFLR1000, and The Legal 500 — a testament to nearly three decades of steady, strategic growth.
A Name Born from a Turning Point
The name “Sunshine” wasn’t the product of a branding agency — it emerged from necessity. In 1999, regulatory reforms forced the firm to abandon its original name. Under pressure, founder Chen Zhen combined the existing “Sunshine” with the spirit of a rapidly changing era, creating a name that, by sheer coincidence, would later resonate with the global boom in solar energy.
Years on, clients in the renewable energy sector often remark: “It’s as if you were made for the solar age.” A happy accident, perhaps — but one that deepened the firm’s identity within its core industries.
Founder Chen Zhen: Engineer, Lawyer, Visionary
Behind Sunshine is Chen Zhen, a rare triple expert in electrical engineering, economics, and law. Early in his career, he worked hands-on in China’s power sector, gaining deep technical insight just as the country began opening its energy markets to foreign investment.
In 1993, during negotiations for the Jiaxing Phase II 4×600MW coal-fired project, foreign investors insisted on having Chinese legal representation — a rare concept at the time. Chen, then in his early 30s, was tapped for the role, securing critical interests for the Chinese side.
He went on to serve as counsel for landmark projects such as the Wenzhou BOT power plant and the Beilun Phase II World Bank-financed project, sharpening his expertise in international energy transactions.
In 1995, Chen left public service to launch Sunshine, fusing his technical, economic, and legal knowledge into a law firm with a singular strategic focus: energy, environment, and infrastructure. The name “Sunshine” symbolized both endless energy and a clear, principled legal path.
Staying Small, Thinking Big
At a time when many firms chase scale, Sunshine has stuck to a “small but mighty” model — a highly specialized team delivering deep expertise in a few critical sectors. This focus has paid off.
Today, Sunshine is consistently recognized among China’s leading firms for energy and environmental law, ranked Band 1 by Chambers for several consecutive years.
Its portfolio includes landmark projects across coal, hydro, nuclear, biomass, and waste-to-energy sectors, as well as deep involvement in renewables — from solar and wind to hydrogen. The firm provides full-spectrum legal services across project development, construction, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Internationally, it has supported Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects across Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and beyond, working with state-owned giants, multinational energy majors, and renewable energy unicorns.
Commitment to Expertise and Innovation
While the legal industry at large moves toward massive expansion, Sunshine has stayed its course: tightly focused, deeply specialized, and exceptionally agile.
This approach allows the firm to stay ahead of rapid changes in technology, regulation, and global policy — crucial in sectors facing the twin forces of energy transition and decarbonization.
Sunshine continues to evolve its capabilities, expanding into green finance, environmental governance, and sustainable infrastructure, fully aligned with China’s dual carbon goals and global sustainability targets.
Or, as the firm puts it:”Through the forest of sunshine, we keep moving forward — without pause.”
