To adapt to the profound transformation in the legal service industry, further strengthen forward-looking research and strategic coordination, and promote the professional, systematic, and digital-intelligent upgrading of law firm governance, Taihe TaiTAHOTA Law Firm solemnly announced on the occasion of its 25th anniversary the official inauguration of the "Tahota Institute for Strategic Development" (hereinafter referred to as the "TISD"). This initiative marks a milestone new chapter in TAHOTA's journey towards think tank-oriented, systematic, and international development.

The establishment of the TISD is a major deployment made by TAHOTA Law Firm at the critical juncture of concluding its "Second Five-Year Strategy" and ushering in the "Third Five-Year Strategy". As an important component of the Firm’s strategic system, the TISD will serve the overall medium and long-term development of the Firm through an institutionalized and platform-based operational mechanism, driving sustained strategic innovation and forward-looking leadership. Leveraging TAHOTA’s profound practical experience and extensive domestic and international layout, the TISD will focus on core areas including strategic planning, international development, regional coordination, and professionalization. It will systematically conduct research on industry development and professional trends, law firm governance, social responsibility and sustainable development, the management and development of domestic and overseas offices, comparative studies of Chinese and foreign legal markets and law firms, as well as the research and guidance for the "TAHOTA Series Books". By promoting two-way interaction between theoretical research and management practice, the Institute is committed to building a professional think tank with industry leadership and international influence.

Mr. Zhou Zheng will serve as the Executive Dean of the TISD. With long-term focus on law firm strategy and brand building, Mr. Zhou has accumulated extensive experience in industry research, institutional innovation, and external communication. He previously served as the person in charge of the research institute at a renowned domestic integrated corporate law firm, and also held the position of editor-in-chief at two top-tier domestic legal media outlets. He has written and published more than 200 articles related to the legal industry, co-authored several legal market observation books and a number of industry research reports, and has continuously provided in-depth insights and professional perspectives for China's legal service industry.

Prior to joining TAHOTA Law Firm, Mr. Zhou Zheng had already deeply participated in major strategic projects of the Firm as an external consultant, including the formulation of the "Second Five-Year Strategy" and the external communication for the inauguration of TAHOTA's Central Building. With over a decade of work and study experience in Shanghai and Beijing, he has accumulated systematic knowledge and profound insights into China's major legal markets.

Mr. Zhou Zheng possesses an interdisciplinary background spanning engineering, law, and science, coupled with an international perspective. He studied at the School of Information Science and Engineering, Southeast University, and later graduated from the School of International Law, East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) with a Bachelor of Laws degree. He also obtained a Master of Science degree with Distinction from the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom. His interdisciplinary academic background and strategic vision will provide solid support for the professionalization and think tank-oriented development of the Research Institute.

In the future, under the guidance of the Management Committee, the TISD will anchor the long-term development goals of the law firm, continuously conduct forward-looking research and strategic support work, and promote the effective transformation of research outcomes into systems and practices, emerging as a key engine driving the upgrading of the firm’s governance and business innovation. The TISD will also actively leverage its think tank value, gather intellectual strength, respond to industry concerns, contribute TAHOTA’s solutions, and serve the overall high-quality development of China’s legal service industry.

With the joint efforts of all colleagues of the Firm and the support from partners across sectors, the establishment of TISD – a significant initiative – has not only injected new intellectual momentum into the Firm’s steady progress, but also demonstrated to the industry TAHOTA’s forward-looking layout in advancing the modernization and internationalization of law firm governance. It marks a crucial step forward for the Firm on its path of high-quality development.