On the afternoon of 30 October, 2019, Professor GONG Baihua of Fudan University Law School led more than 20 students from the 2019 LL.M. Program in Chinese Business Law, international exchange students and a few Chinese students to visit the Shanghai Representative Office of Baker McKenzie Law Firm. Professor GONG Baihua teaches Chinese Practice on International Law.

The tour was led by Mr. ZHANG Danian, the Chief Representative of the Shanghai office of Baker McKenzie and an alumnus of Fudan University Law School. He introduced the history, development and business fields of Baker McKenzie, and shared his own experiences.

Mr. Zhang also discussed the establishment of Baker McKenzie Fenxun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office in the China Free Trade Zone in 2015. This was the first joint operation approved by the Shanghai Justice Bureau to provide clients with a full range of services covering both Chinese and international law. 

The second speaker was Kelly Han, a senior lawyer at Baker McKenzie and an alumnus of Fudan University Law School. She discussed her educational background, her job-hunting experience and recommended the Baker McKenzie Scholarship Program which welcomes outstanding students from Fudan University Law School.

During the Q&A session, the international students actively asked questions including how to select Chinese partner firms, how foreign lawyers can find job opportunities in China and how to serve clients as a foreign firm in China. The overall discussion was quite lively.

Finally, group photos were taken at the company’s front desk to mark the end of a pleasant visit.

Correspondent: Julia Yan (Student of Class 2021 LL.M in Chinese Business Law)