On 29^th June 2022, the “11^th edition of the IAM Patent 1000” is released. The 2022 edition reveals the IAM Patent 1000 2022 rankings, which identifies world-class individual and firm-wide private practice patent expertise. The guide has been compiled following an extensive research process. Over 5 months, IAM’s eight-person research team conducted thousands of interviews with in-house professionals and private practice lawyers and attorneys, based in dozens of countries, to gather market intelligence on the leading players in the field.

In the guide’s China (Domestic) chapter, Wanhuida Intellectual Property is ranked in the silver band in the category of “Litigation” and “Prosecution”. Lauded as “one of China’s leading prosecution shops”, the firm is commended for “its competitive contentious offering” which “also attracts a group of staunch followers”. Over the prosecution front, the firm’s Partner Xiaoling Duan is listed as a recommended individual for taking the lead of a “drafting team that has all disciplines on lock”. Guangzhou-based Partner Minnan Xie makes her debut in the IAM Patent 1000 this year with “her outstanding performance in patent prosecution and complete command of biochemical knowledge”. On the contentious front, the firm features 4 recommended individuals: Partner Tiejun Tang, who draws on her experience as a CNIPA examiner to tackle tricky biotech-related litigations, and other notable litigators include Partners S Sam Li, Shuhua Zhang and Feng (Janet) Zheng. Sam is recommended for applying “his vast knowledge of both China and US patent law to anchor the patent group with aplomb”. Commercially minded Shuhua Zhang has a stellar track record of success in front of the Supreme People’s Court, while Feng (Janet) Zheng is a favourite among multinationals and domestic giants when it comes to patent enforcement and invalidation proceedings.

Individuals qualify for a listing in the IAM Patent 1000 when they receive sufficient positive feedback from peers and clients with knowledge of their practice and the market within which they operate. Only those individuals identified by market sources for their exceptional skill sets and profound insights into patent matters feature in the guide.

The IAM Patent 1000 also identifies the leading firms in the market. Where appropriate, firms are listed in prosecution, transactions and litigation tables. Firms qualify for a listing on the basis of their depth of expertise, market presence and the level of work on which they are typically engaged.