Ying Li

Ying Li is an employment and labor law attorney in Chaoyang, Beijing, practicing at Beijing Bailun Law Firm. Ms. Li has accumulated 17 years of professional experience since her admission to the bar in 2009, focusing primarily on wrongful termination disputes, employment contract matters, workplace harassment claims, labor contract negotiations, and collective bargaining. She graduated from China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), one of China's top institutions for legal education, where she developed a strong foundation in legal theory and practice.

Practice Philosophy and Approach

Ms. Li's practice centers on the legal relationship between employers and employees under Chinese labor law. She advises both domestic companies and multinational corporations on the full range of employment matters, including contract drafting and review, disciplinary procedures, workforce reductions, termination compliance, and labor arbitration. For individual clients, Ms. Li handles wrongful dismissal claims, severance and compensation disputes, non-compete agreement enforcement, and workplace discrimination or harassment cases. She approaches each matter with an emphasis on early factual assessment, clear documentation, and realistic evaluation of the available legal pathways. Before recommending a course of action, she reviews the employment records, correspondence, and relevant policies to build a complete chronological picture of the events in dispute.

Wrongful Termination Practice

In wrongful termination cases, Ms. Li examines the employer's stated grounds for dismissal against the evidentiary record and procedural requirements under Chinese labor law. She evaluates whether the termination falls within the statutory categories and whether the employer has followed the required notice, consultation, and severance payment procedures. Where the termination is contestable, she prepares the factual and legal submissions needed to pursue reinstatement, statutory compensation, or negotiated settlement, depending on the client's objectives and the strength of the evidence.

Ms. Li understands that a termination decision often carries financial and personal consequences for the employee and operational implications for the employer. She structures her advice to reflect both the legal merits of the case and the practical realities of litigation, including the time, cost, and emotional toll of contested proceedings. Where appropriate, she explores settlement options that allow both parties to resolve the dispute without the uncertainty of a trial.

Employment Contract Review and Risk Prevention

Ms. Li advises on employment contract structuring and termination risk mitigation. She reviews employment agreements, internal policies, and handbooks to identify provisions that may create unnecessary exposure or fail to comply with current labor regulations. For companies undergoing restructuring, she assists in planning the legal framework for the process, including collective consultation requirements and individual negotiation strategies. She provides preventive advice as a cost-effective alternative to litigation, noting that a well-structured employment agreement and clear internal policies can prevent many disputes before they arise.

Litigation and Arbitration Experience

In litigation and arbitration, Ms. Li represents clients before the labor dispute arbitration committees and the People's Courts in Beijing. She is familiar with the procedural rules, evidence standards, and judicial practice of the Chaoyang District court system, where the majority of her cases are heard. She prepares evidentiary bundles, damage calculations, and legal submissions that present the client's position clearly and comprehensively, whether in arbitration proceedings or at trial.

Client Communication and Engagement

Ms. Li does not promise specific case outcomes. Her commitment is to thorough case preparation, accurate legal analysis, and diligent representation within the framework of Chinese law and professional ethics. Engagement terms, fee arrangements, and communication protocols are confirmed at the outset of each matter. Clients receive regular updates on case progress, upcoming deadlines, and decisions requiring their input. Her office in Chaoyang, Beijing is accessible for in-person consultations, and remote communication is available for clients who cannot attend in person.

Representative matters handled by Ms. Li include wrongful dismissal defense for multinational corporations, enforcement of non-compete clauses against former executives, collective labor dispute response for companies undergoing mass layoffs, and negotiation of separation packages for expatriate employees. Her experience across the full range of employment and labor law enables her to advise clients with practical authority at every stage of the employment relationship. Ms. Li also advises on the legal framework for workplace investigations, including the procedures for investigating complaints of misconduct or harassment, the documentation required to support disciplinary decisions, and the legal risks of conducting investigations without proper procedures. She counsels employers on conducting investigations that are fair, thorough, and defensible, and advises individual clients on their rights and obligations during investigative processes. Ms. Li also advises on the legal framework for restructuring and workforce reduction, including the consultation requirements, severance calculation rules, and documentation needed to support lawful collective dismissals. She assists employers in planning and executing workforce reductions that comply with legal requirements while managing the operational and reputational impact. Ms. Li also advises clients on the employment law aspects of corporate transactions, including the transfer of employees in asset or share acquisitions, the treatment of accrued benefits and seniority, and the structuring of retention arrangements for key personnel during periods of corporate change.