In December 2015 Watson & Band was named a 2015 LEGALBAND China Top 50 Law Firm Brand by the international legal ranking institute LEGALBAND, owned by the world-renowned media company Accurate Media.

This ranking can serve as a benchmark among law firms and lawyers for the development of the legal services market as well as a direct reference for clients. In its 2015 rankings, LEGALBAND used its ranking system, originating in Britain, to create an independent brand value assessment system based on materials submitted by a number of law firms. This data includes financial data, development history, clients and media honors. It takes into account marketing materials collected by its local survey team in China through means such as Internet searches, telephone surveys with specific law firm clients, lawyers, and students from well-known law schools. This data allowed the analysis to consider multiple perspectives including financial analysis, brand influence and the strength of the various law firms. The ranking system comprehensively evaluated the value created by the firms’ brands for their legal services in order to identify the top 50 most valuable law firm brands in China.

In 2015 Watson & Band received recognition from various professional ratings institutions, along with honors from both governmental authorities and professional associations. In addition to being repeatedly ranked as a “top-tier”, “highly recommended”, “most reliable” or “best” law firm by prominent ratings institutions such as Chambers and Partners, AsiaLaw Profiles, Legal 500 and IAM 1000, we were also named one of “Asia’s 50 Largest Law Firms” by Asian Legal Business. Asian Legal Business also named us “Shanghai Law Firm of the Year” and “China Bankruptcy and Restructuring Law Firm of the Year”. Furthermore, during the past year we were named a “2011-2015 Outstanding Shanghai Law Firm” and we were listed in the Shanghai Judicial Register as a Top-Tier Bankruptcy Administrator.

Watson & Band’s professional expertise has led the way for others in broadly diverse areas of practice. We took charge of the drafting of the Rules for IPR People’s Mediation, for example, and we were listed among the top 10 PRC legal advisers for Hong Kong IPOs. We also served as advisors for the Foreign Trade Zone Management Committee’s drafting of the Regulations on the Administration of Trading in Bulk Commodities on Spot Markets in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. In the area of entertainment and arts, we served as the sole appointed legal service partner for the film transaction market during 18th Shanghai International Film Festival, which we sponsored. We served as legal counsel for the 17th China Shanghai International Arts Festival, and we were invited to both the 17th China Shanghai International Arts Festival and the 3rd China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair. In May, we dispatched representatives to the 137th International Trademark Association Meeting in San Diego, California.

These achievements symbolize a prominent enhancement of the influence, professionalism and comprehensive strength of Watson & Band’s brand, as well as good reviews and commentary from China’s legal services market. Looking ahead to the coming year, Watson & Band’s professionals will uphold our service motto of Integrity, Strategy, Professionalism and Dedication in order to start a new chapter in the history of our firm.