On December 9, 2012, the formal start-up ceremony of Legal Boutique League (LBL) was held at Grand Hotel Beijing. Eight specialized boutiques, Beijing Tiantong & Partners, Beijing Han Kun Law Offices, Beijing Huan Zhong & Partners, Beijing Hwuason Lawyers, Shanghai City Development Law Firm, Shanghai River Delta Law Firm, Zhejiajg Energy & Environment and Lifang, all leading firms in their respective practice, joined hand to form the LBL aimed at the synergy effect of their individual strength.

The joyful celebration was followed by the first Summit of Legal Boutique League where LBL members expound how their specialties will work with China’s new economic trends after the 18th Party Congress.

Lifang partners, Mr. Xie Guanbin and Mr. Cai Hui attended the event on behalf of Lifang. Mr. Xie made a speech on the Trends of and Strategic Thinking in Intellectual Property Disputes at the summit.

The event was held on the propitious date of the 30th anniversary of the reinstitution of lawyers in China. Government officials from the Ministry of Justice, Beijing Bureau of Justice and Dongcheng District Bureau of Justice, as well as leadership of All China and Beijing Bar Associations, were present and highly praised the idea of the coalition move. A special guest is the 86 year old Mr. Ren Jisheng, the oldest practicing lawyer in China. He expressed ardent support and high hopes towards LBL.

LBL’s areas of expertise include tax, finance and investment, international trade, intellectual property, real estate, labor law, energy and environment, and arbitration/litigation. The eight members of LBL are all Chambers recommended firms in their respective fields. They will further endeavor to enhance brand awareness and influence of LBL as well as the member firms through joint publicity and promotional activities. The forming of the League has been hailed as a worthy effort to boost growth of the specialized legal market. Crystal Lu, editor in chief of Chambers in Great China Region, believes that the professionalism and cooperative spirit advocated by LBL will give more vigor to China’s law practice.

Managing partners of LBL firms at the ceremony

About the Legal Boutique League (LBL)
Chinese name: 金砖律所 Jin zhuan lv suo
English name: LBL (Legal Boutique League)
Logo: An octagon diamond representing the eight founding members as well as the synergy and endurance of this cooperative mechanism.