Taihe: A Lawyer’s Story | Twenty-Five Years of Legal Partnership
Release Date:
2026-09-19
Editor’s Note:
In Taihe, every lawyer has their own story.
Some have walked 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: Could you please share your professional background and tell us what initially drew you to this industry?
A: I was admitted to the Second Department of Law at Southwest University of Political Science and Law in 2001, where I pursued both my undergraduate and master’s studies in law. After graduating, I spent three years working in investment and legal affairs at a state-owned enterprise, before joining a law firm and continuing to practice as an attorney ever since. From my university days as a young student to the present, I have devoted 25 years to the legal profession, forging an inseparable bond with it.
Q: Have you ever had other professional experiences, such as teaching or working in legal affairs? How did those experiences shape your practice as a lawyer? Are there any commonalities between those fields and your work as an attorney?
A: After graduating, I first joined a state-owned enterprise, where I worked in investment and legal roles. This experience proved immensely valuable; in many ways, the foundational skills I later needed as a lawyer were shaped during that period. The state-owned enterprise I served at was responsible for transmitting television programs, with zero tolerance for error—any slip-up could result in broadcast disruptions. Consequently, the organization placed exceptionally high demands on work discipline and attention to detail. Working in such an environment honed my meticulous professional approach, fostered a strong sense of teamwork, and sharpened my interpersonal communication and coordination abilities. Moreover, state-owned enterprises typically offer a robust platform, providing ample opportunities to engage with and participate in a wide range of commercial transactions. For a lawyer, without hands-on experience in these real‑world deal‑making processes, it is difficult to truly grasp the myriad compliance standards and risk factors involved. As a result, the breadth of knowledge, practical insights, and enhanced capabilities I gained from this career transition enabled me to seamlessly step into the legal profession.
A: Newly‑qualified lawyers, especially younger ones, often find themselves following the practice direction set by their supervising attorneys or simply taking on whatever work comes their way. Even if, subjectively, they have a clear vision for their future practice area, objective pressures from case flow frequently prevent them from making an immediate choice. Looking back to my early years in practice, I focused primarily on “adding” — seizing every opportunity and handling each matter with diligence to build experience and expand my professional network. As the number and variety of cases grew, I began to “subtract,” refining my focus by aligning my practice with my personal interests, available caseloads, and other relevant factors, gradually shaping and solidifying my own practice niche. Take my own experience: prior to becoming a lawyer, I worked in investment and corporate legal affairs, which gave me valuable exposure to M&A transactions and allowed me to accumulate substantial expertise. I was also deeply interested in this field and committed to ongoing learning and knowledge‑building. Early in my career, a chance encounter led me to take on an M&A matter; drawing on my prior experience and studies, I executed the project smoothly and successfully, earning client recognition and paving the way for follow‑on M&A engagements. Over time, my track record in M&A steadily expanded, eventually becoming one of my core practice areas.
Q: What is your primary area of expertise? Could you share a case or project that left a lasting impression on you?
A: I At present, my primary area of expertise is corporate law, with acquisition‑related matters being one of my key focuses. In M&A transactions, due diligence is the most critical stage; in recent years, there have been numerous cases in the industry where law firms’ shortcomings in this process have resulted in liability claims. One project that left a particularly strong impression on me involved representing a state‑owned enterprise in the acquisition of equity interests in another company. The transaction was of substantial value and featured a complex acquisition structure. Following the successful closing, allegations of regulatory violations in the seller’s other business activities inadvertently implicated the deal, leading to nearly a decade of successive investigations by multiple government agencies. Each inquiry required a thorough review of our due diligence reports and supporting working papers. Thanks to our meticulous and rigorous operational practices, we consistently passed these reviews, stood up to scrutiny, and earned high praise from both our client and the relevant authorities.
Q: What work habits do you think an excellent lawyer should cultivate?
A: I believe that, as a professional lawyer, one should first maintain a stable job and a well‑structured daily routine—neither too lax nor overly rigid—in order to adapt to the fast‑paced nature of legal practice. Secondly, it is essential to stay abreast of industry developments and continuously acquire new knowledge and information. Personally, I follow changes in laws and regulations and the latest case law through official WeChat accounts and industry news every day, ensuring that my expertise remains aligned with cutting‑edge trends. At the same time, since our day‑to‑day work involves engaging with diverse sectors, beyond deep technical expertise, lawyers should also broaden their understanding of various industries, striving for both professional depth and broadened horizons. Finally, cultivating a meticulous and rigorous work ethic is paramount. The legal profession tolerates very little error, requiring precision and attention to detail in every aspect. For instance, when drafting legal documents, I always review my work repeatedly to ensure accuracy, rigor, and freedom from mistakes.
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: I have encountered this situation before: some clients, driven by their professional expertise, personal stance, or emotional state, hold views or make demands that do not align with the law. Indeed, some clients prefer lawyers to simply follow their line of reasoning and emotional responses when thinking through issues, answering questions, and formulating solutions. If a lawyer’s advice or proposed course of action fails to meet the client’s emotions or expectations, the client may choose not to retain that lawyer. In such cases, my guiding principle is this: I will empathize with circumstances that are “understandable,” but I will never compromise on principles that are “not necessarily just.” I would rather forgo the opportunity to represent a case than sacrifice my professional judgment in order to curry favor with a client—providing “emotional validation” and blindly accommodating the client’s emotions and perceptions at the expense of sound legal analysis. Even if my professional opinion does not win the client’s approval, I remain committed to analyzing the facts, weighing the evidence, and applying the law in accordance with legal ethics, thereby crafting a well‑reasoned and professionally sound solution. Failure to adhere to this approach could not only leave the client deeply dissatisfied with the outcome of the case but also trigger complaints and other complications.
Q: How do you typically interact with clients? What key considerations should you keep in mind when communicating with them?
A: Lawyers and clients inherently engage in a two-way process of mutual fit and selection; lawyers must learn to choose clients whose needs align with their own personality, expertise, and professional approach. As in the earlier scenario where a client’s situation was “understandable but not entirely justified,” I tend to adopt a professional, objective stance when communicating—“speaking truthfully.” While this sometimes means forgoing certain business opportunities, clients who value candid dialogue and problem‑solving are more likely to appreciate my approach. Therefore, I believe that in dealing with and communicating with clients, one should remain true to one’s professional principles and established practices, rather than deliberately altering or pandering to secure business.
Q: Why did you choose to join Taihe in the first place? What aspects of Taihe attracted you?
A: I was fortunate to join Taihe in 2024, as a newcomer to the firm. Taihe is a well-established local law firm with a 40-year history, having stood the test of time amid the vigorous wave of China’s legal‑service development since the reform and opening-up. The firm has long been defined by a steady, low-key, and unassuming ethos—dedicated to meticulous practice and exceptional client service—qualities that are precisely what the legal profession should embody and that align closely with my own personality and professional style.
Q: Do you think the legal profession is highly stressful? How do you typically manage work-related stress and physical fatigue?
A: Every profession faces its own unique pressures. Compared with other fields, it’s difficult to quantify and compare the level of stress in the legal profession. I don’t think there’s any need to play the “victim card” and exaggerate the sources of stress in lawyering. In other words, which profession is truly easy or free of pressure?
Q: What advice would you most like to offer to young lawyers who have just begun practicing? Alternatively, under what circumstances would you advise them to proceed with caution?
A: As I mentioned earlier, my professional experiences prior to becoming a lawyer have been instrumental in shaping my subsequent career trajectory. For young people who aspire to a legal career—especially recent graduates—I would advise them to first gain employment at an organization with rigorous management and stable income. Only after accumulating relevant work experience, broadened social insights, and a solid financial foundation should they transition into the legal profession. I have encountered many fresh graduates who immediately enter the legal field. However, law firms differ significantly from typical businesses or institutions; for instance, the standards of professional discipline in a law firm tend to be relatively lax. While such an environment can foster self‑discipline, many newcomers find it difficult to develop sound work habits and a meticulous work ethic under these more relaxed conditions. Moreover, some supervising attorneys are either overly permissive or simply negligent, which can hinder the career progression of otherwise highly capable individuals. Therefore, I believe that pursuing other types of employment before embarking on a legal career is often more conducive to long‑term professional growth.
Taihe Law Firm, Ji Xingyu
Follow us
Related News