Taihe · Lawyer Stories | Staying True to Our Original Aspirations, Practicing as Professional Lawyers
Release Date:
2026-07-04
Editor’s Note:
In Taihe, every lawyer has their own story.
Some have moved from the bench to the defense table; others, having completed their studies abroad, have chosen Taihe; and still others have forged their journey here, transforming from interns into partners. Their backgrounds and areas of expertise may differ, yet they share a common ethos—professionalism, resilience, and warmth.
This is precisely the intention behind launching our “Taihe: Lawyers’ Stories” column. We hope to show you the most authentic side of the Taihe lawyers—beyond the courtroom. And through their stories, we aim to help more people understand that at Taihe, law is not merely a profession; it is a passion worth entrusting to.
Q: At the outset of your practice, why did you choose either litigation or non-litigation? What led you to commit firmly to this path? road ？
A: I joined a law firm as an attorney straight out of school, with little room for hesitation or independent career direction. My mentor was a seasoned litigator who specialized in litigation practice. Day-to-day, I shadowed him—meeting with clients, organizing case files, handling court matters, and attending trials—essentially finding myself thrust into the litigation track.
But once I actually entered the practice and began handling cases, I came to clearly recognize that litigation lawyers play a decisive role in safeguarding their clients’ rights. Even in the same case, different lawyers can produce vastly different outcomes: a meticulous, well‑prepared attorney can identify the key points of contention, securely preserve the evidence, and construct a coherent legal argument, thereby vigorously protecting the client’s legitimate interests. By contrast, if a lawyer is poorly prepared and fails to grasp the core issues, the client’s legally protected rights may be needlessly compromised—and they could even suffer substantial financial losses.
Whenever, through meticulously reviewing the evidence and engaging in courtroom advocacy, I help my clients recover their losses and secure a just verdict, and see them finally shed their burdens and express heartfelt gratitude, a profound sense of professional fulfillment wells up within me. This deep sense of purpose—safeguarding others’ legitimate rights and interests—gradually strengthened my resolve to dedicate myself to the practice of litigation, a path I have pursued ever since.
Q: What is your primary area of expertise? Could you share a case or project that left a lasting impression on you?
A: At present, my business is primarily focused on three key areas: first, banks and asset management companies. Wait No First, litigation for the recovery of sound assets; second, major commercial litigation involving enterprises, with a particular focus on resolving financing‑related trade disputes; and third, civil compensation cases arising from false statements in securities issued by listed companies.
Since starting my career, there have been two cases. “ Named as a sale but in fact a loan ” The financing‑related trade cases left the deepest impression on me. In such cases, the plaintiff presents a formally complete sales contract. 、 Delivery receipts and other evidence The plaintiff has filed a lawsuit, seeking to extract funds under the guise of payment for goods in order to conceal the true nature of the loan relationship between the two parties, thereby infringing upon the lawful property rights and interests of our client.
In handling the case, I did not confine myself to the written contract; instead, I meticulously reconstructed the entire transaction process from start to finish: cross‑checking each upstream and downstream payment record, compiling years of business‑related chat logs, comparing on‑site delivery receipts, and identifying logical inconsistencies and evidentiary defects in the opposing party’s submissions. Step by step, I uncovered critical leads revealing that the actual transaction pattern was entirely at odds with the terms stipulated in the sales contract. Through a layered presentation of evidence and thorough courtroom argumentation, the court ultimately accepted our position, invalidated the purported sales contract, and reallocated the parties’ liabilities in accordance with the true underlying loan relationship, thereby successfully safeguarding the client’s assets worth tens of millions of yuan. Even over a hundred million yuan. their legitimate property rights and interests. Such cases have also reinforced my focus on meticulously uncovering detailed evidence in commercial litigation.
A: There’s no one-size-fits-all standard for the transition period; it varies greatly from person to person. Some people mature more quickly, while others need more time to settle in. As for me, I fall into the category of those who take a longer period to find their footing.
During that transitional period right after I began practicing, I devoted nearly all my energy to honing my skills: during the day, I accompanied my mentor in client meetings and participated in case‑related discussions, while in the evenings I consistently deepened my expertise in substantive and procedural law. Knowledge; I never rush when drafting legal documents such as complaints, briefs, or evidentiary‑challenge submissions—each piece undergoes a dozen or more rounds of revision and refinement, with every word scrutinized to sharpen the logic and strengthen the argument. Whenever an opportunity arises to appear in court, I meticulously rehearse the questioning and oral‑argument phases in advance, and after each proceeding, I conduct a thorough debrief to identify areas for improvement, continuously honing my courtroom advocacy skills and on‑the‑spot adaptability.
Through sustained dedication to in-depth practice, systematic review, and continuous learning, one gradually evolves from an intern lawyer who merely organizes documents into a practicing attorney capable of independently handling major, complex commercial matters.
Q: How can lawyers achieve professional specialization? In your view, what are the most essential professional qualities of an outstanding lawyer? Please share your thoughts, drawing on your own experiences.
A: To achieve professionalization, the key lies in continuously strengthening a comprehensive legal expertise base; one cannot rely on mastery of isolated statutory provisions alone. Instead, it requires ongoing study and regular updates across substantive law, procedural rules, and industry‑specific transactional frameworks. Legal statutes, judicial interpretations, and Supreme People’s Court guiding cases are revised annually, while transaction models in commercial and financial sectors are constantly evolving. If learning comes to a halt, one will quickly fall behind the demands of handling cases.
In my view, the hallmark of an outstanding lawyer is a rigorous, rock-solid professional foundation coupled with a keen eye for detail. Drawing on my experience handling numerous financing‑related trade cases, I can say that such matters involve intricate fund flows and multi‑tiered transaction structures. Simply mastering the basic statutory provisions falls far short; one must continually study the relevant judicial interpretations on private lending, guarantees, and commercial adjudication, and precisely delineate the boundary between sales and loans. Without sufficient specialized expertise, it is all too easy to be misled by the formalities of a contract and overlook hidden loopholes in the flow of funds. Only by constantly updating one’s legal knowledge and thoroughly analyzing analogous case law can one accurately identify the key points of contention and safeguard the client’s interests to the greatest extent possible.
Q: Why did you choose to join Taihe in the first place? What aspects of Taihe attracted you?
A: Taihe is one of the earliest established, well‑established law firms in Jiangsu Province, with a firm culture that has been passed down over several decades—this is what appeals to me most.
Lawyers at our firm consistently uphold a professional ethos of rigor, meticulousness, and down-to-earth pragmatism. We have faithfully preserved the time-honored tradition of mentorship within the firm, ensuring that young lawyers are never left to navigate cases on their own from the outset. For those of us deeply committed to commercial litigation, this spirit of knowledge transfer is truly invaluable: senior colleagues willingly share their case‑handling strategies, courtroom experience, and techniques for organizing and analyzing evidence, providing young lawyers with sustained, positive guidance. Our firm’s steadfast adherence to a rigorous, meticulous, and pragmatic approach is precisely why I ultimately chose to join Taihe.
Q: If you had to describe Taihe in three words, which ones would you choose, and why?
A: I choose three words: artisan, scholar, expert.
First is artisan : At Taihe, all lawyers approach every case with the spirit of a craftsman—never perfunctory or careless. From drafting legal documents and organizing evidence to constructing legal arguments, they refine each step through meticulous revision, delving deeply into every detail of the case and striving for the utmost rigor in their practice.
The second is scholar The law firm fosters a robust learning environment, regularly organizing legal seminars, updates on new regulations, and exchanges on complex cases. Lawyers consistently delve into legal theory and study landmark precedents, maintaining a culture of continuous professional development.
Third is Expert : Lawyers across all practice areas within the firm have deeply cultivated specialized niches, including distressed assets, securities disputes, commercial litigation, and intellectual property. 、 Non-litigation Each practice area is supported by a seasoned, specialized team, with every attorney having cultivated deep expertise in their respective field for many years, enabling us to deliver highly professional and meticulous legal services to our clients.
Q: Do you think the legal profession is highly stressful? How do you typically manage work-related stress and physical fatigue?
A: Pressure in the legal profession is an objective reality, permeating every stage of a case. Clients only retain lawyers when confronted with major challenges—such as economic disputes, asset losses, or securities‑related rights protection—and they place their entire financial interests and hopes for a favorable outcome in our hands. Even the slightest oversight in a document or during a court hearing can directly affect the client’s substantial interests; accordingly, every step of the litigation must be handled with meticulous care and utmost prudence, demanding sustained mental vigilance.
In my spare time, I rely heavily on various forms of exercise to relieve stress—whether it’s hitting the gym, playing basketball, or surfing. During these activities, I can temporarily set aside all work-related tasks, such as reviewing case files, communicating with colleagues, or preparing for court hearings, allowing my mind to fully unwind and break free from the tension of work. Once my body is relaxed, I return to handling cases with a clearer, more focused mindset.
Q: Lawyers are often perceived as professional and rational—what kind of personality do you have in your personal life?
A: Professional thinking subtly seeps into everyday life, and I myself tend to be rational and level-headed. When faced with challenges, I habitually map out the causes and consequences, clarify the underlying logic, and then make my judgments—rarely acting on impulse. Even when interacting with family and friends, though I don’t approach matters with the same rigor as solving a case, I still naturally lay out the facts objectively and communicate rationally to resolve conflicts and address issues.
Q: Could you share a legal book or a legal film that you enjoy?
A: I recommend the legal film “The Rainmaker.”
Starring Matt Damon The film’s protagonist is a fledgling young lawyer who, despite lacking substantial resources and industry connections, remains true to his original aspirations. He patiently listens to the concerns of vulnerable groups, leaves no detail of evidence unexamined, and relies on his solid legal expertise to take on powerful, well‑capitalized law firms.
This film resonated deeply with me: the core values of a lawyer. That is… Willing to patiently delve into the details of each case, uphold fairness and justice, and do everything possible to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the parties involved. Just right This sense of responsibility also serves as a constant reminder to approach every case with my original intentions and to treat each client with utmost care.
Q: If you were asked to redefine the profession of “lawyer” in a single sentence, what would you say?
A: A lawyer is a multifaceted legal professional who combines scholarly depth, a service-oriented mindset, and a craftsman’s dedication.
Scholar: This role requires a commitment to the ongoing study of legal theory and judicial interpretations, ensuring a sustained capacity for professional learning. Sales: This role calls for sincere communication, a deep understanding of clients’ genuine needs, and the precise tailoring of legal service solutions. Craftsman: This role demands an unwavering pursuit of excellence in every case—meticulously refining evidence, drafting documents, and honing every step of the courtroom process—to handle each matter with scrupulous care and attention to detail.
Dai Feiyang, Taihe Law Firm
Attorney Dai Feiyang, a partner at Taihe, specializes in the following practice areas: distressed‑asset recovery and commercial asset disposal; large‑scale trade and commercial litigation; criminal–civil intersectional legal services; securities compliance for listed companies; and non‑litigation and litigation services related to supply‑chain finance structuring and risk mitigation in sectors such as construction engineering, bulk commodity trading, and financial leasing.
Follow us
Related News