Key Takeaways
- • Senior lateral hire: JunHe recruited Zhao Rongjing as a partner from Morrison Foerster, where she led private equity and M&A practice across Beijing and Shanghai offices since 2023, bringing 15+ years of cross-border transaction experience.
- • Deal track record: Zhao has advised on landmark transactions including Asia Innovations Group's USD 2.5 billion merger, Carlyle's acquisition of HCP Group from Baring Private Equity Asia, and Ascendent's USD 1.66 billion privatization of HollySy—deals recognized as China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year Award winners.
- • Strategic capability expansion: JunHe explicitly stated the hire will strengthen its global capital markets and cross-border transaction capabilities, with particular emphasis on international M&A, cross-border private equity investment, and public company acquisitions.
- • Sector expertise: Zhao's practice concentrates on public company M&A, private equity investments, leveraged buyouts, mezzanine financing, and distressed asset acquisitions, with demonstrated strength in technology and life sciences sectors.
- • Multi-office footprint: Zhao will be based in JunHe's Shanghai and Hong Kong offices, expanding the firm's geographic reach for Asia-Pacific cross-border transactions.
Summary
JunHe announced the recruitment of Zhao Rongjing as a partner, a senior private equity and M&A lawyer with 15 years of cross-border transaction experience. Zhao joins from Morrison Foerster, where she served as a partner in the firm's private equity practice across Beijing and Shanghai since 2023. Her appointment marks a significant lateral hire in the competitive Asian legal market, particularly for complex international M&A and private equity work. Partnership formalities are currently being processed, with Zhao based in JunHe's Shanghai and Hong Kong offices.
Zhao's career trajectory reflects substantial experience across leading international legal institutions. Prior to Morrison Foerster, she was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis' Shanghai office from 2018 onward, having joined that firm in 2014. Earlier roles included positions at O'Melveny & Myers' Los Angeles and Shanghai offices. This progression through globally recognized firms demonstrates deep expertise in managing complex, high-value cross-border transactions.
Her deal portfolio showcases meaningful engagement with major institutional capital. Representative transactions include advising on Asia Innovations Group's USD 2.5 billion merger, Carlyle Group's acquisition of packaging supplier HCP Group from Baring Private Equity Asia, and Ascendent Capital's USD 1.66 billion privatization of HollySy. Multiple transactions received recognition from China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year awards, underscoring market credibility. Zhao's client base spans listed companies, private equity funds, institutional investors, and multinational corporations, with particular strength in technology and life sciences sectors.
JunHe framed the hire as strategically aligned with strengthening the firm's capabilities in global capital markets and complex cross-border transactions. The firm stated the addition will enhance its core practices in international M&A, cross-border private equity investment and financing, and public company acquisitions. The move reflects ongoing competition among top-tier international firms for senior practitioners experienced in Asia-Pacific private equity and M&A work, particularly those with institutional investor relationships and proven deal execution.
Zhao's career trajectory reflects substantial experience across leading international legal institutions. Prior to Morrison Foerster, she was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis' Shanghai office from 2018 onward, having joined that firm in 2014. Earlier roles included positions at O'Melveny & Myers' Los Angeles and Shanghai offices. This progression through globally recognized firms demonstrates deep expertise in managing complex, high-value cross-border transactions.
Her deal portfolio showcases meaningful engagement with major institutional capital. Representative transactions include advising on Asia Innovations Group's USD 2.5 billion merger, Carlyle Group's acquisition of packaging supplier HCP Group from Baring Private Equity Asia, and Ascendent Capital's USD 1.66 billion privatization of HollySy. Multiple transactions received recognition from China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year awards, underscoring market credibility. Zhao's client base spans listed companies, private equity funds, institutional investors, and multinational corporations, with particular strength in technology and life sciences sectors.
JunHe framed the hire as strategically aligned with strengthening the firm's capabilities in global capital markets and complex cross-border transactions. The firm stated the addition will enhance its core practices in international M&A, cross-border private equity investment and financing, and public company acquisitions. The move reflects ongoing competition among top-tier international firms for senior practitioners experienced in Asia-Pacific private equity and M&A work, particularly those with institutional investor relationships and proven deal execution.
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