Yingzi Liu

Established in 1997, Beijing Hylands Law Firm is one of China's most renowned full-service commercial law firms, garnering recognition from such esteemed legal directories as Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and China Business Law Journal. Notably, in 2021, the firm was honoured with the "Law Firm of the Year" award by China Business Law Journal for its excellence in such areas as media, entertainment and sports.

Today, Hylands' Sports & Entertainment Law practice comes highly recommended for its comprehensive services across the entire industry chain. The firm's expertise encompasses IP operations, business launches, investment, financing, M&A, restructuring, tax compliance, enterprise compliance and dispute resolution.

Hylands is dedicated to legal excellence and contributing to the broader community. To this end, the firm has implemented a comprehensive training system, including initiatives like the "Seedling Program" and "Forest Program", aimed at nurturing young legal talent. Hylands also emphasises the importance of social responsibility – via programmes focused on providing legal support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as participating in public welfare activities.

At the forefront of Hylands' Sports & Entertainment Law practice is Partner Yingzi Liu. With a Bachelor of Law from Capital University of Economics & Business and an LLM in Banking, Corporate & Finance from Fordham University School of Law, Ms Liu brings a wealth of knowledge and international perspective to her practice. Her notable achievements include advising on cultural and creative projects, providing comprehensive legal services in due diligence, investment and financing, production, distribution, as well as M&A. She has significant experience in cross-border transactions and has represented clients in litigation and arbitration. Ms Liu has further advised on services centred around celebrities and artists, IP protection, as well as foreign investment in the sports business. One of her notable accomplishments includes advising on M&A in the cultural, entertainment and technology sectors, with deal amounts exceeding RMB 16 billion.

• Effective dispute resolution for sports industry clients.

• Sports law expertise, providing IP protection advice for the NBA, M&A transaction advice for ESPN and UEFA licensing support for Chinese enterprises, as well as personal brand and dispute management for elite athletes.

• Council Member of the China Law Society’s Sports Law Research Association.

• Deputy Secretary-General and Council Member of the Beijing Law Society’s Sports Law and Olympics Legal Affairs Research Association.