Taihe: A Lawyer’s Story | Forging the Heart Through Law, Upholding Justice in Defense of Righteousness
Release Date:
2026-08-22
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. Though their backgrounds and areas of expertise vary, they all 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: Have you ever had any other professional experience? How did that experience shape your practice as a lawyer? Are there any commonalities between those two careers?
A: I have two significant professional experiences: first, I served at the Navy Headquarters, and after my discharge, I joined a local people’s court, where I worked successively in the General Office and the Enforcement Bureau. My time in the military honed in me a disciplined, pragmatic, and decisive approach, with a strong sense of the bigger picture; while my work at the court deepened my understanding of judicial procedures, adjudicative reasoning, and enforcement practices, exposed me to numerous frontline disputes, and cultivated a professional ethos that places great emphasis on evidence and adherence to procedural rules.
Q: What is your primary area of expertise? Could you share a case or project that left a lasting impression on you?
A: Currently, I specialize in criminal litigation and am also adept at handling cases involving the intersection of criminal and civil law, as well as enforcement‑related matters. One case that left a deep impression on me was a contract fraud matter with a claimed value exceeding RMB 20 million. The case involved numerous suspects, complex legal relationships, and fragmented evidence, making it extremely challenging to secure criminal prosecution at the initial stage. After thoroughly reviewing all transaction records, precisely delineating the boundary between civil disputes and criminal offenses, and securing key evidence, I engaged in repeated communications and legal arguments with the investigating authorities, ultimately succeeding in helping my client obtain criminal case registration.
A: For lawyers to achieve professional specialization, they must delve deeply into niche practice areas, continuously study statutory provisions and case‑law precedents, and engage in systematic post‑case reviews and reflections, thereby transforming practical experience into specialized expertise. Drawing on my prior military service and judicial experience, I believe that the foremost qualities of an outstanding lawyer are a profound respect for the law and a steadfast adherence to procedural thinking; secondly, a pragmatic, evidence‑based mindset is essential.
Q: Have you ever experienced a particularly stressful phase in your professional practice? How did you manage to regain your composure and keep moving forward?
A: As a criminal defense attorney, one often faces immense professional pressure. Criminal cases directly affect the defendant’s personal liberty and life; courtroom confrontations are fierce, and the duty of advocacy is weighty. Under such high-stakes circumstances, it is all the more essential to remain composed, delve deeply into the case file, meticulously organize the evidence, refine the defense strategy, and anticipate potential risks during trial. By conducting exceptionally thorough pre‑trial preparation, one can alleviate anxiety, focus on every controllable detail, and, with a professional and steady demeanor, advance the defense of each case with unwavering diligence.
Q: Have you ever encountered a situation where the party involved’s circumstances are understandable, yet their reasoning is not necessarily justified? How do you make your determination within the bounds of the law?
A: In practice, we have indeed encountered situations where a party’s circumstances are deserving of sympathy on humanitarian grounds, yet the legal position is not particularly strong—what might be described as “empathy may be understandable, but justice may not prevail.” When faced with such cases, we conduct a thorough review of the evidence, objectively assess the legal risks and adverse factors, and transparently explain to the client the potential legal consequences, refraining from making unrealistic promises of success. Within the bounds of the law, we diligently identify mitigating facts and defensible arguments, striving to safeguard the client’s legitimate rights and interests, while never distorting the law or fabricating facts.
Q: If, during the course of an investigation, you discover that a party has failed to truthfully disclose key facts, how would you typically proceed?
A: First, the party will be clearly informed of their legal obligation to make truthful statements and apprised of the legal consequences of concealing or fabricating facts, including the risk of losing the case and the disciplinary liabilities associated with false testimony. The party will be patiently guided to objectively reconstruct the sequence of events, with distinctions drawn between memory biases and deliberate concealment. If the party continues to refuse to comply, no assistance will be provided in fabricating or manipulating the facts of the case, nor will any advocacy brief be drafted based on false premises. During the trial, evidence will be presented objectively, and the facts of the case will be inferred in accordance with the rules of evidence, while communication records will be meticulously maintained.
Q: Why did you choose to join Taihe in the first place? What aspects of Taihe attracted you?
A: As a well-established, locally rooted full-service law firm, Taihe boasts a comprehensive professional framework, with particularly strong capabilities in dispute resolution and commercial legal services. The firm places great emphasis on lawyers’ professional ethics and steadfastly upholds the legal bottom line. Choosing Taihe reflects a deep appreciation for the firm’s profound expertise and unwavering commitment to its practice philosophy, cultivated over years of dedicated service in the Yangtze River Delta region. With an inclusive and pragmatic team culture and mature, evidence-based collaborative mechanisms, Taihe provides an excellent platform for legal practice.
Q: If you could describe Taihe in three words, which ones would you choose, and why?
A: Pragmatic action, far-reaching vision, and unified strength.
Q: Do you think the legal profession is highly stressful? How do you typically manage work-related stress and physical fatigue?
A: Professional stress is an objective reality in the legal profession; case deadlines, client expectations, and courtroom preparation all exact a dual toll—on both mind and body. In daily life, it’s essential to strike a balance between work and rest, maintain a regular routine, and avoid prolonged physical and mental overexertion. Outside of work, I make it a point to engage in moderate exercise—whether through walking or jogging—to relax my body and mind and release built-up tension. I also set aside time for solitude, reading to reflect and recalibrate my mindset. When facing pressure, I carefully plan my tasks, prioritizing what’s most urgent and important to prevent workload from spiraling into internal friction. At the same time, I focus on emotional self‑regulation, approaching the outcomes of cases with rationality and maintaining a calm, balanced outlook. By balancing professional dedication with self‑care, I strive to remain in good health and sustain my commitment to providing high‑quality legal services.
Q: What is your professional creed? How do you view the social responsibility of the legal profession? And how do you balance social responsibility with economic interests?
A: Upholding the law and adhering to justice, exercising diligence with integrity, and performing my duties with sincerity are the guiding principles of my practice. As lawyers, we are not merely providers of legal services; we also bear a profound social responsibility to ensure the proper administration of justice—safeguarding both the legitimate rights and interests of our clients and the ideals of fairness and equity. While economic considerations underpin the sustainability of our profession, they must never be allowed to override the rule of law or our obligations to society. In every engagement, I remain steadfast in upholding professional standards, refusing to compromise ethical boundaries in pursuit of profit or to accommodate improper demands. Beyond handling fee‑based matters, I strive to contribute, within my capacity, to public legal education and pro bono legal services. By balancing self‑interest with a sense of duty, I seek reasonable compensation through professional excellence while anchoring my conduct in accountability, ensuring that my pursuits are both ethically sound and socially responsible. In this way, I strive to harmonize commercial success with social commitment, achieving a unity of business value and societal impact.
Q: Could you share a legal book or a legal film that you enjoy?
A: I am very fond of “The Case of the Speluncean Explorers.” This book uses a fictional case to explore legal reasoning from multiple perspectives, challenging black-and-white thinking and encouraging me to consider diverse viewpoints in my work, to approach law and equity with rationality, and to draw valuable insights for my practical legal analysis.
Q: In terms of your professional or career development, are there any initiatives you’ve long wanted to pursue but haven’t yet started?
A: In terms of my professional development, I have long aspired to draw on my experience in criminal cases, cross‑disciplinary criminal‑civil matters, and enforcement proceedings to compile practical case studies, share insights from my work, and engage in public‑oriented legal education. I also hope to increase my involvement in pro bono legal services to assist more vulnerable clients. At present, my day-to-day casework is demanding and time‑consuming, so I have not yet been able to advance these efforts in a systematic way. Moving forward, I plan to carve out time to transform my practical expertise into written materials and outreach, thereby extending the value of my professional practice.
Mou Hualǐ, Taihe Law Firm
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