In May 26, 1992, as referred to in “Decision on Approving the Establishment of Beijing Haiwen Law Firm” (Jing Si [1992] No. 46), the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice approved the establishment of Beijing Haiwen Law Firm.
Haiwen was first established at No. 60841, Suyuan, Beijing Friendship Hotel, Beijing.

In March 1993, Haiwen Beijing office was relocated to Room 2307, Jingcheng Building, No. 6, Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing. Haiwen had been approved by the Ministry of Justice and the China Securities Regulatory Commission as one of the first law firms qualified to engage in securities legal business.
(Note: According to “Decision of the State Council on Canceling the First Batch of Administrative Examination and Approval Items (GF [2002] No. 24), approval of qualification is no longer needed for lawyers and law firms to engage in securities legal business.)

In October 16, 1994, as referred to in “Decision on Approving the Establishment of Beijing Haiwen Law Firm (Partnership)” (Jing Si Fa [1994] No. 225), the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice approved the establishment of Haiwen as a partnership law firm.

In March 1996, Haiwen Beijing office was relocated to Courtyard 3, Likang Hotel, Beichen East Road, Asian Games Village, Beijing.

In December 1998, Haiwen Beijing office was relocated to Room 1016, Nanyin building, No. 2, Dongsanhuan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

In July 1999, Haiwen Shanghai branch was established.

In December 2000, Approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Justice, Haiwen became one of the first law firms to engage in services of overseas companies involving domestic interests. (Note: According to “Notice of the China Securities Regulatory Commission on Abolishing Some of the Securities and Futures Regulations (IV)” (Zheng Jian Fa Lv Zi [2003] No. 15), approval of qualification is no longer required for law firms to engage in relevant businesses.)

In December 2001, Haiwen Beijing office was relocated to Room 1711, Nanyin building, No. 2, Dongsanhuan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

In December 2002, Haiwen’s formal website () was officially launched.

In July 2007, Haiwen Beijing office was relocated to Floor 21, Nanyin Building, No. 2, Dongsanhuan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

In February 2010, Haiwen obtained trademark registration certificates of "海问" and "HAIWEN" under Category 45 of approved service items, issued by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

In November 2016, Haiwen Shenzhen branch was established.

In January 2017, Haiwen Hong Kong branch and Joint Venture were established.

In February 2019, Haiwen Chengdu branch was established.

In April 2021, Haiwen Chengdu branch was relocated to Unit 01, 10-12, 20/F, China Overseas International Center Block C, 233 Jiao Zi Avenue, High-tech District, Chengdu .