Watson & Band Law Offices is pleased to announce the official establishment of its newest branch, Watson & Band (Nanning) Law Offices, following the approval from the Department of Justice of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The opening of the Nanning office represents a critical milestone in the firm’s national expansion. By establishing a physical presence in this regional capital, Watson & Band significantly strengthens its service capabilities in South and Southwest China, creating a vital bridge to the thriving markets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Pictured: The official Practice License of Watson & Band (Nanning) Law Offices.

A Gateway to Southeast Asia

The decision to establish a presence in Nanning is driven by a forward-looking strategy to align with key national economic initiatives, specifically the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

As the permanent venue of the China-ASEAN Expo and a central node in the Belt and Road Initiative, Nanning serves as China's primary interface for cooperation with Southeast Asia. This new office positions Watson & Band to provide on-the-ground legal support for:

• Cross-border Investment & Trade.

• Infrastructure

Capturing Regional Vitality

Driven by the deepening of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the development of the Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone, legal demand within the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone is expanding rapidly.

The Nanning team will focus on delivering high-value, localized legal services tailored to the region's emerging industries and border trade activities. Our goal is to ensure clients can successfully navigate the distinct regulatory landscape of this high-growth region.

A Unified National Network

This expansion solidifies a strategic footprint covering China's key coastal, inland, and border regions. By leveraging our national resources, the Nanning office ensures seamless, cross-regional support for clients operating at the intersection of China’s interior, the Greater Bay Area, and the ASEAN region.

About the Nanjing Office

A Strategic Platform for Growth
The Watson & Band (Nanning) Law Offices is more than a geographic expansion; it is a strategic platform designed to fuse local insight with a global perspective.

To ensure consistent quality, the Nanning branch operates under a "One Firm" management model. It is fully integrated with our Shanghai headquarters, receiving comprehensive operational and technical support. This integration ensures that clients in the Southwest receive the same high standard of legal expertise synonymous with the Watson & Band brand.

Core Practice Areas
Leveraging this connectivity, the Nanning team will focus on four key competitive advantages:

• ASEAN Cross-Border Solutions:
  Utilizing Nanning’s unique position, the firm provides end-to-end support for cross-border capital flows. This includes investment structuring, regulatory advisory, and dispute resolution (litigation, arbitration, and mediation) for both Chinese enterprises entering ASEAN markets and ASEAN entities investing in China.

• Complex Dispute Resolution:
  The branch maintains strong collaborative relationships with key institutions such as the Nanning International Arbitration Court and the Free Trade Zone Circuit Court. By employing diversified dispute resolution mechanisms, the team is equipped to handle high-stakes, complex commercial cases efficiently.

• Full-Lifecycle Corporate Services:
  From incorporation and financing to compliance, trade operations, and restructuring, the firm offers comprehensive legal support that guides enterprises through every stage of their corporate development.

• IP & Cultural Industry Protection:
  Watson & Band will bring its renowned Intellectual Property expertise to Guangxi. We offer strategic portfolio management and commercialization support for high-tech enterprises, as well as for the region’s unique sectors, including cultural tourism and specialized agriculture.

Bridging Shanghai and Nanning
The establishment of the Nanning branch represents the convergence of the Huangpu River and the Yongjiang River—a symbolic union of Shanghai’s international experience and Nanning’s regional vitality.

By capitalizing on the momentum of the RCEP era, Nanning’s strategic geography, and the specialized talent of the Watson & Band network, we are confident in our ability to take deep root in this fertile market. We look forward to working with partners across the region to seize these new opportunities, safeguarding our clients' ambitions with professional legal counsel.

Lawyer Profile

 Li Jun

Director, Watson & Band (Nanning) Law Offices
Email: jun.li@watsonband.com

Practice Areas:

• Government & Corporate Legal Counsel

• Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Family Law & Wealth Planning

• Criminal Defense

• Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Asset Disposal

Professional Experience

Ms. Li Jun serves as the Director of Watson & Band (Nanning) Law Offices. She brings a unique depth of perspective to her practice, having been admitted to the bar in 2012 following a tenure in the public sector. Her background encompasses extensive service across the judicial and administrative landscape, including roles within courts, procuratorates, and justice bureaus at both the municipal and county levels.

Since entering private practice full-time in 2016, Ms. Li has acted as legal counsel for numerous government agencies, township administrations, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and educational institutions. She specializes in providing comprehensive compliance advisory services and is highly skilled in utilizing mediation to resolve complex civil and commercial disputes.

In the realm of criminal defense, Ms. Li has successfully represented clients in high-profile cases with significant regional impact, particularly in matters involving duty-related crimes and complex white-collar offenses.

Education
Ms. Li holds a Bachelor of Laws from Guangxi University and completed postgraduate studies in Civil and Commercial Law at the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL).

Social & Professional Appointments
Ms. Li is a distinguished leader in the Guangxi legal community, currently holding several key positions:

• Council Member, Guangxi Lawyers Association (10th Session)

• Deputy Director, Practice Development Committee of the Guangxi Lawyers Association

• Legal Counsel, CPC Wuzhou Municipal Committee

• People’s Supervisor, Wuzhou People's Procuratorate

• Advisor, Expert Group on Police Enforcement Authority (Guangxi Public Security Department)

• Vice President, Wuzhou Association for Justice and Courage (formerly Good Samaritan Association)

Her leadership history includes previous terms as Vice President and Secretary-General of the Wuzhou Lawyers Association and Vice President of the Wuzhou Bankruptcy Association.

Honors & Awards
Ms. Li is widely recognized for her professional excellence and dedication to public welfare, particularly in family education and youth development. Her accolades include:

• "Outstanding Lawyer" & "Outstanding Young Lawyer" (Guangxi and Wuzhou)

• "Public Welfare Achievement Award" (Guangxi Legal Industry)

• "Distinguished Civil Servant" (Judicial System)

She is also an accomplished author, having received awards for her professional papers at the Western Lawyer Forum and the Central South Six Provinces Lawyer Forum.

Li Hongming
Partner, Watson & Band (Nanning) Law Offices
Email: hongming.li@watsonband.com

Practice Areas:

• Civil & Commercial Dispute Resolution (Domestic & Cross-Border)

• Corporate Legal Counsel

• Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Asset Disposal

• Construction & Engineering Disputes

• Land & Forestry Rights Disputes

Professional Experience
Mr. Li Hongming is a Partner at Watson & Band (Nanning) Law Offices. He offers clients a distinct strategic advantage derived from nearly a decade of public service within administrative agencies at the municipal, county, and township levels. This background equips him with an intricate understanding of government operations, administrative protocols, and regulatory compliance.

Since entering private practice in 2020, Mr. Li has specialized in complex commercial dispute resolution and corporate restructuring. He possesses particular expertise in niche areas vital to the regional economy, including disputes regarding land and forestry ownership rights, as well as cross-border commercial contracts.

Education

• Master of Laws (LL.M.):  Guangxi Normal University

• Bachelor’s Degree: Guilin University of Electronic Technology

Social & Professional Appointments
Mr. Li is actively involved in legislative and academic initiatives in the region:

• Legislative Expert Advisor, Standing Committee of the 15th Wuzhou Municipal People's Congress

• Expert Consultant, Wuzhou Overseas Intellectual Property Assistance Center

• Secretary-General, Wuzhou Alumni Association of Guangxi Normal University Law School