Lawyer Gao Wanquan has been serving in the Shanghai court system since 1994. He has worked as a reporter for the People's Court Daily of the Supreme People's Court and as a correspondent for the Gazette of the Supreme People's Court. Nearly ten of the cases he compiled were adopted by the Gazette of the Supreme People's Court, contributing to the unification of nationwide judicial rules and filling legal gaps. During this period, he also presided over or participated in nearly a hundred civil, commercial, and criminal cases in two basic-level courts. Simultaneously, the academic papers he wrote consecutively won awards above the third prize in competitions organized by the Supreme People's Court and the Shanghai High Court for five consecutive years. While working at the Shanghai High Court, he assisted in launching the press conference system for Shanghai courts, planning dozens of press conferences over three years. He published over a hundred legal news reports and feature articles in major authoritative media, winning first prize in the national legal news competition organized by the Ministry of Justice and receiving a third-class merit award from the national court system.

In 2007, Lawyer Gao transitioned from the court system to the financial system, where he spent 15 years specializing in non-performing asset disposal and recovery at a joint-stock bank. As the general manager of the asset preservation department, he earned significant social prestige and a strong industry reputation in this field. He was elected as director of the asset preservation group or special committee of the banking association for six consecutive years and received the Individual Special Contribution Award for four consecutive years. Lawyer Gao is adept at handling complex litigation cases involving banks, both as plaintiff and defendant. After the steel trade credit risk erupted in Shanghai’s banking industry in 2012, he led internal and external lawyers in handling thousands of litigation and enforcement cases annually, recovering economic losses ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of yuan for the bank. To combat debt evasion tactics such as fraudulent litigation, false mortgages, and debtors transferring equity at low prices, he initiated revocation actions to safeguard the bank’s interests. In cases where shareholders of guarantee companies engaged in capital withdrawal or false capital contributions, he pursued veil-piercing actions to hold shareholders liable for unlimited liability and secured favorable judgments. He also filed lawsuits against listed companies and their executives for false statements, seeking compensation for damages. In defending the bank in several litigation cases, he demonstrated exceptional litigation skills and proficient defense capabilities.

Lawyer Gao not only possesses proficient skills and professional expertise in dispute resolution but also has extensive experience and successful cases in the resolution and disposal of non-performing assets. In 2012, when the banking industry faced a systemic crisis in the steel trade sector, he led his team to tackle the challenges head-on. Within three years, they resolved hundreds of billions of yuan in risk assets across 20 markets through various methods, including packaged transfers, debt transfers, equity transfers, equity restructuring, write-offs, negotiated debt settlements, and judicial debt settlements. In subsequent large-scale risk asset disposals, he took the lead in resolving debts for companies such as Fengxian Timber City, Songjiang Steel Trade Market, Zhonghong Holding Co.,Ltd., Bestway Marine & Energy Technology Co.,Ltd., and China Minsheng Jiaye Investment Co.,Ltd., he served as the chairman of the creditors’ committee in the bankruptcy restructuring of the listed company T Bestway Marine & Energy Technology Co.,Ltd., and the consolidated bankruptcy restructuring of 17 companies, including Sanya Luhuitou Tourism District Development Co.,Ltd., playing a pivotal and decisive role in orderly advancing the bankruptcy restructuring process and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of creditors.

Since entering legal practice, Lawyer Gao has remained focused on legal areas such as banking and finance, non-performing assets, bankruptcy, and restructuring. He integrates the resources accumulated from his extensive career and applies the knowledge and experience gained from his work in the court and banking systems to provide high-quality value-added services for clients. Lawyer Gao’s team specializes in financial law and business involving financial institutions, offering services such as annual legal counsel, litigation representation, and specialized agency work for institutions including Bank of Dalian, Bank of Beijing, Bank of Communications, Ping An Bank, Bank of Beijing, China Guangfa Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Chouzhou Bank, Hua Xia Bank, Minsheng Financial Leasing, Continental Insurance, China Great Wall Asset Management, Suzhou Asset Management, Everbright Jin'ou Asset Management Co.,Ltd., and Shanghai State-owned Assets Management Co., Ltd.

In litigation, the team has conducted in-depth research and resolved many disputes involving substantial real estate financing, capital markets (including funds, trusts, and bonds), and supply chain finance. Lawyer Gao has also achieved remarkable accomplishments in cases related to financial leasing contract disputes and financial loan disputes involving accounts receivable pledges. The team led by Lawyer Gao not only secures favorable judgments for clients but also prioritizes the effectiveness of recovery during the enforcement stage, with some cases achieving recovery rates as high as 100%, earning high praise from clients.

Bachelor of Laws in Economic Law, East China University of Political Science and Law

Juris Master in Civil and Commercial Law, East China University of Political Science and Law

In 2025, recognized by LegalOne as one of the Top 15 Client-Trusted Lawyers of 2025: Debt Legal Services.

2017 Shanghai Banking Association · Annual Awards — Individual Outstanding Contribution Award

2018 Shanghai Banking Association · Annual Awards — Individual Outstanding Contribution Award

2019 Shanghai Banking Association · Annual Awards — Individual Outstanding Contribution Award

2020 Shanghai Banking Association · Annual Awards — Individual Outstanding Contribution Award

2024-2025 SGLA Law Firm Biennial Awards — Commercial Litigation (Team) Award General Expert in Non-Performing Asset Risk Resolution, Bank of Dalian

Director of the Financial Law Research Committee, Shanghai Law Society Director of the Legal Research Center for Bank Risk Assets

Co-Secretary-General of the Legal Committee and Financial Committee, Shanghai Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce

Deputy Director of the Legal and Financial Taxation Committee, Shanghai Ningbo Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director of the Second Council of the Alumni Association, School of Economic Law, East China University of Political Science and Law

Arbitrator, Shanghai Arbitration Commission

Inaugural Mediator, Shanghai International Commercial Mediation Court

Council Member, Shanghai North Bund Special Fund Financial Mediation Center Invited Mediator, Shanghai Chunfeng Mediation Center

Since 2022, Senior Partner at SGLA Law Firm

From 2007 to 2022, General Manager of the Asset Preservation Department at China Minsheng Bank Shanghai Branch.

From 1994 to 2007, Judge at the Shanghai High People's Court.

(I) Case Representation

1.Represented Irish enterprise China Securities Investment Fund (PAG) in a lawsuit against Shanghai Shimao Construction Co., Ltd. and others for guarantee liability following bond default, with a principal amount of RMB 1.5 billion. This case involved representing overseas investors in domestic bond defaults. By pursuing the guarantor’s liability and employing litigation tactics to circumvent jurisdictional restrictions on the primary claim, the legal team successfully executed the pre-established litigation strategy and obtained a favorable judgment.

2.Represented a Shanghai branch of a bank in a series of financial loan disputes involving pledges of future accounts receivable with an energy technology company and others, with a total amount of principal and interest of RMB 495 million. Leveraging the characteristics of future accounts receivable pledges, an innovative litigation approach was developed, and a series of disposal methods were explored. With the cooperation of the court, successful outcomes were achieved.

3.Represented a bank in the enforcement of a financial loan case against Zhoushan Jinrun Petroleum Transportation Co., Ltd. Faced with multiple obstacles in the disposal of collateral, an alternative approach was adopted by engaging investors to pressure the debtor, advancing the case into a pre-restructuring bankruptcy process. The total amount of principal and interest involved exceeded RMB 600 million.

4.Represented in a dispute over a trust loan agreement with a Sanya Hotel Investment Management Co., Ltd. and others, with a total amount exceeding RMB 2.8 billion. In this case, it was demonstrated that the plaintiff trust company had lost the underlying trust assets and that the trust plan should be revoked. By proving that related companies engaged in circular transfers to misappropriate trust funds in breach of trust, a partially favorable first-instance judgment was secured (currently under second-instance review).

5.Represented a Shanghai branch of a bank in a housing sales contract dispute against and others, securing a favorable judgment. In this case, Lawyer Gao established a precedent that supervisory banks should not bear joint liability for developers’ misappropriation of construction funds. This ruling mitigates risks for banks in supervisory roles amid frequent unfinished real estate projects and holds landmark significance for maintaining the healthy development of the banking industry.

6.Represented in a retrial case to revoke a share transfer agreement, a medical technology company, and others. Acting as the respondent (defendant in the first instance and appellee in the second instance) for the medical technology company, a favorable final retrial judgment was obtained. The plaintiff argued that the zero consideration did not match the owner’s equity or share premium value of the target company, seeking to invalidate the share transfer. Lawyer Gao successfully demonstrated that the owner’s equity cited by the plaintiff was formed over time and that the share transaction involved a bundled arrangement among multiple shareholders, leading the court to rule that the share transfer was valid and dismissing the retrial applicant’s request.

7.Represented China Continent Property & Casualty Insurance Company Shanghai Branch in enforcement actions for guarantee insurance disputes against Xiao and others, recovering RMB 1.006 million and RMB 934,800, respectively, achieving a 100% debt recovery rate in both cases.

8.Represented a bank in U.S. dollar bond cases involving over ten foreign companies from Hong Kong, BVI, and Cayman. Through a series of measures including expedited litigation, preservation, and offsetting, USD 15 million was recovered within six months.

9.Represented a bank in financial loan disputes involving three related companies, with a total amount of approximately RMB 700 million. Faced with challenges such as urgent preservation needs and restrictions on excessive seizure, thorough research was conducted to explain the objective value of the mortgaged office building to the court, alleviating judicial concerns and promptly securing preservation to protect the creditor’s rights, earning client praise.

10.Represented Ningbo Commerce Bank in a second-instance case involving a confirmation warehouse business. After the first-instance lawyer mistakenly treated the bank’s confirmation warehouse business as an ordinary contract dispute, resulting in an unfavorable judgment, professional banking expertise was utilized in the second instance to transfer the jurisdictional court from the First Intermediate Court to the Financial Court. By introducing the concept of confirmation liability during substantive review, the judge was able to clarify the legal responsibilities of relevant parties within the complex business structure and contractual terms, enabling the application of relevant provisions from the Issuing the Minutes of the National Court Work Conference for Civil and Commercial Trials and securing a favorable judgment.

11.Represented a large real estate group in eight group cases involving disputes over revocation rights. A favorable first-instance judgment was secured in one leading case, with the remaining cases to be dismissed upon second-instance affirmation. The representation involved a deep understanding of the legislative intent behind revocation rights under the Civil Code, exploring a replicable approach to balancing the protection of creditors’ legitimate rights, corporate autonomy in operations, and market transaction stability.

12.Represented Orient Futures Co.,Ltd. in a lawsuit seeking compensation from a client. Faced with the client’s unreasonable and persistent litigation, coordination with the court facilitated a prompt mediated settlement.

13.Represented a financial leasing company in a second-instance defense. Focusing on whether the leased asset existed and its impact on the legal nature of the financial lease, strong arguments were presented, resulting in a final judgment that effectively safeguarded the legitimate rights of the financial leasing company.

14.Represented China Guangfa Bank in a case involving claims of infringement in wealth management product sales. By closely adhering to the legal nature of wealth management product distribution and relevant regulations, and firmly countering the unreasonable demands of financial consumers, favorable judgments were secured in both the first and second instances.

(II) Project Representation Experience

1.Commissioned by a client, mobilized the entire team to conduct on-site and off-site due diligence on the creditor’s rights related to Zhengda Himalaya Hotel, covering property assets, internal corporate management, and external liabilities. A comprehensive report and investment recommendations were prepared within five days, providing valuable insights for the client’s mergers and acquisitions project.

2.Participated in a client’s acquisition of the Shandong Weihai Longyan Port project through a "lease-to-purchase" arrangement. Given the project’s inherent flaws, a "lease- to-purchase" transaction structure was designed, enabling the client to obtain actual use rights of the target asset, secure purchase expectations, and pre-arrange fair terms for future returns and risks.

3.Provided annual legal advisory services to a township government in Shanghai’s Jinshan District for the development and construction of an industrial park project, including but not limited to investment promotion, disposal of existing assets, establishment of industrial funds, and disposal of non-performing assets, fostering in- depth cooperation with the government.

4.Participated in the debt restructuring of an investment company in Hubei. Faced with nearly RMB 2 billion in debts owed to 13 creditors, assisted the client in negotiating with each creditor to develop debt disposal plans, incorporating bankruptcy proceedings to restructure the energy group’s core projects.

5.Served as the lead administrator for the bankruptcy liquidation of Shanghai Hutouju Catering Management Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Yue'an Real Estate Co., Ltd.

6.Represented Suzhou Asset Management Company in legal due diligence and contract review for an equity investment project in a restructuring enterprise, ensuring the smooth progression of the transaction for the client.

7.Represented Everbright Jin'ou Asset Management Co.,Ltd. in due diligence, legal opinions, and transaction risk review for the acquisition and revitalization of real estate under a state-owned enterprise.

An Analysis of the "Conflict" between the Exemption from Disclosure for Listed Companies' External Guarantees under the Listing Rules and the Requirements of the Interpretation of Supreme People's Court on Application of the Security System under the Civil Code, published on the WeChat official account of SGLA Law Firm in February 2025.

The Dilemma and Remedies for the Realization of Future Accounts Receivable Pledge Rights, published on the WeChat official account of SGLA Law Firm in February 2025 and in the Emerging Rights journal in November 2025.