Bio

Yan Zhang is a highly skilled lawyer with experience in both adversarial and transactional matters. She represents clients from a broad range of sectors. In her adversarial practice, Yan is experienced in the resolution of Chinese-foreign business disputes and has advised clients in proceedings conducted under a number of institutional arbitration rules including those of the HKIAC, AAA and CIETAC. In both Chambers Global and Asia Pacific 2021, Yan is recognized in the International Arbitration category as “Up and Coming”, and described Yan "carefully studying the details of our case, digging up important evidence and seizing on key points and striving to give the client the best advantage." The 2020 edition praised Yan “comes across as very confident, logical and well organised in her oral advocacy” and her "good ability to think and respond on her feet" and describes her as “one of few truly bilingual counsel at partner level who can conduct advocacy fluently in the Chinese language.” The 2019 edition praised Yan as “very commercial”, "very responsive”, “very diligent” and “suggests sensible ways of solving disputes." Yan is recognized as a “Next Generation Lawyer” in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018 – International Arbitration. In her transactional practice, Yan represents private equity funds, hedge funds, and multinational companies in mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, fund formation, and other general corporate matters. Yan’s diverse practice gives her a unique blend of skills that benefit her clients at all stages of the corporate lifecycle. Prior to joining Sidley, Yan practiced at the New York, Shanghai and Hong Kong offices of another leading U.S. law firm. Yan is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese.