Global Law Office: The “Old” and “New” of the First Law Firm Established After China’s Reform and Opening-Up

China’s First Law Firm

The initial wave of development for Chinese business law firms began within the system. In Guangdong, at the forefront of China’s reform and opening-up, many “firsts” in the Chinese legal industry were achieved. In August 1984, to align with international standards, the Ministry of Justice decided to change “Legal Advisory Offices” to “Law Firms”. In Guangdong, the Legal Advisory Office of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, established in 1979, was officially renamed Global Law Office(GLO). This marked the first national, independent institution in China providing international economic and trade legal services, and it can be said to be the first law firm established after the reform and opening-up.
 
Global Law Office was personally planned and established by Ren Jianxin, who was then Vice President of the Supreme Court. Mr. Ren graduated from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Peking University and later served as President of the Supreme Court. He also held the first lawyer’s license in the People’s Republic of China. In February 1985, lawyer Zeng Junwei, a graduate of Tsinghua University Law School, became the first director of GLO.
 
Many of the founding members of Global came from its predecessor, the Legal Department of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, including Gao Sunlai, a graduate of Soochow University and the 26th lawyer in China, who brought many valuable traditions to Global. One such tradition is that “partners must be hands-on.” This was exemplified by Gao Yifeng, the successor to Gao Sunlai, a senior member and the 35th lawyer in China, who often worked late into the night, even in his seventies. This tradition of partners personally handling cases has been passed down and remains a “strict rule” at Global, ensuring the quality of service.
 
In 2000, GLO was restructured from a state-owned entity to a partnership law firm in compliance with the requirements of the Ministry of Justice. While many state-owned firms did not survive this transition, Global persisted, maintaining its name and retaining several of its original lawyers, thanks in part to the enduring culture passed down through the years.
 
Conservatism and Innovation

Currently, GLO has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Although it has faced criticism for its “small scale,” it has never missed an opportunity to expand, carefully weighing each move to ensure service quality remains its cornerstone. This careful approach is considered essential for the firm’s success.
 
Director Liu Jinrong has stated that Global is highly selective in its recruitment, believing that winning people’s hearts is key to success. They prioritize hiring individuals whose values align with the firm’s goals and views on interests.
 
In contrast to its cautious approach to expansion and recruitment, Global has been highly innovative in the cases it handles. The firm’s website showcases numerous groundbreaking “firsts in China” across fields such as corporate and mergers & acquisitions, capital markets and securitization, project financing, dispute resolution, and international trade.
 
Despite its long history, Global’s main force comprises younger lawyers in their 40s, unlike many peers whose key members are in their 50s or 60s. This generational shift has not posed a challenge, thanks to the firm’s strong culture.
 
The Culture of Global Law Office

According to Liu Jinrong, the values of “diligence” and “honesty” are emphasized at Global. The firm’s internal motto, “Achieve clients, achieve ourselves,” reflects their commitment to client satisfaction and excellence in their work.
 
By the time Liu Jinrong took over, Global had already gone through several leadership transitions. The firm’s success in these transitions is attributed to the consistent values and views on interests held by each generation of partners.
 
The smooth transition between generations is a result of shared values and goals. Senior lawyers at Global aim to build a century-old brand and uphold high standards in terms of integrity and dedication. Their hands-on approach and meticulous attention to quality have been passed down, becoming a core aspect of Global’s culture.
 
Another significant aspect of Global’s culture is unity and a lack of concern for personal gain. There is no retirement system at Global; senior lawyers who retire rely on social security rather than the firm’s resources. This dedication to the brand and its future fosters strong support for the younger generation.
 
At Global, there is no hierarchy, only different roles. Liu Jinrong believes this focus on people and their values is a critical tradition, reflecting the firm’s emphasis on recruiting individuals with shared values.
 
By maintaining these core values and traditions, GLO continues to balance the “old” and the “new,” ensuring its place as a leading law firm in China.