Former Head of China’s Mega-Firm Steps Down Amid Default Scandal
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Mei Xiangrong. Photo: VCG
The head of China’s largest law firm abruptly resigned late March 11 amid a swirling financial-guarantee default scandal linked to his family’s private businesses.
Beijing Yingke Law Firm announced the immediate departure of Mei Xiangrong, officially distancing the global mega-firm from the crisis by stating the allegations are entirely unrelated to its legal operations. On March 12, a director for Yingke’s China branch told Caixin that the firm was unaware of Mei’s personal or familial business activities.
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- Mei Xiangrong, head of China’s largest law firm Yingke, resigned on March 11, 2025, amid a scandal over a 4 billion yuan ($580 million) financing guarantee default linked to his family’s businesses.
- Yingke stated the allegations are unrelated to its legal operations; Mei’s tenure saw the firm grow to 127 offices in China and over 19,400 lawyers.
- Yingke remains the largest law firm in China by headcount, ranking first with 18,234 lawyers in 2025.
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Who’s Who
- Beijing Building Materials Group Co.
- Beijing Building Materials Group Co. was the initial employer of Mei Xiangrong, who later became the head of Beijing Yingke Law Firm. Mei worked there as a human resources cadre after graduating from Tsinghua University in 1995. He left in 1996 to join a law firm.
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What Happened When
- January 1972：
- Mei Xiangrong was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu province.
- July 1995：
- Mei Xiangrong graduated from Tsinghua University with a bachelor’s degree in internal combustion engineering.
- 1996：
- Mei Xiangrong joined a Beijing law firm after working at Beijing Building Materials Group Co.
- 2001：
- Yingke Law Firm was founded in Beijing.
- April 2007：
- Mei Xiangrong moved to Yingke Law Firm, becoming a partner and director of the partners’ management committee.
- 2011：
- Yingke officially became a comprehensive, large-scale firm with a global legal services network.
- July 2025：
- Xinze released a ranking of the top 100 largest law firms; Yingke ranked first with 18,234 lawyers.
- Around March 10, 2026：
- Rumors of a financing guarantee default involving Mei Xiangrong began circulating online and escalating within the legal community.
- March 10, 2026：
- Yingke’s global board convened in Beijing, starting with a study session on compliance inspections and followed by board elections.
- Late March 11, 2026：
- Mei Xiangrong abruptly resigned from all positions at Yingke Law Firm.
- March 12, 2026：
- A director from Yingke’s China branch told Caixin that the firm was unaware of Mei’s personal or familial business activities.
AI generated, for reference only
- CX Weekly Magazine
Mar. 13, 2026, Issue 09
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