From Local to Global: Careers in Transnational Chinese Law
On Friday, 7 March 2025, the Centre for Chinese Law and Policy at Durham Law School hosted an event titled "From Local to Global: Careers in Transnational Chinese Law". The session featured guest speakers Mr Mo Xu, Partner at Zhonglun Law Firm, Shanghai, and Mr Nelson Wang, Counsel and Head of the China Desk at DAC Beachcroft (DACB).
Event photo and story credit: Ms Zhuoyi Shen.
Organised by Centre for Chinese Law and Policy Director Dr Zhiyu Li, with the support of Co-Director Dr Ge Chen and Deputy Director Ms Zhuoyi Shen, the event marked the launch of a new initiative aimed at connecting students with legal professionals engaged in transnational legal practice.
Insights from Leading Practitioners
Mr Mo Xu shared valuable career advice grounded in his experience advising over 60 companies on IPOs across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He stressed the importance of beginning one's career at a reputable law firm and finding strong mentors to guide professional growth. Reflecting on his own path, Mr Xu highlighted the benefits of pursuing overseas legal education after gaining several years of practical experience, noting his decision to attend UC Berkeley School of Law after eight years of practice.
He also emphasised the early and deliberate choice between litigation and non-litigation career tracks in China, cautioning that switching paths later becomes increasingly difficult. In addressing the evolving legal landscape, Mr Xu noted the expanding role of AI in routine tasks such as translation and basic research, encouraging young lawyers to cultivate higher-order skills that cannot be easily automated.
Mr Nelson Wang, who played a leading role in COVID-19-related business interruption claims that earned his firm the “Arbitration Team of the Year” award at the British Legal Awards 2022, provided practical insights into UK legal practice. He outlined the qualification pathways in England and Wales, including traditional training contracts and the newer Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), with particular relevance for international students.
Mr Wang discussed the global nature of insurance law, highlighting how Chinese insurers are increasingly involved in cross-border programmes, creating demand for lawyers with both legal acumen and cultural fluency. He underscored that while technology continues to shape the profession, human expertise and cross-cultural understanding remain central to effective legal practice.
Cross-Border Career Perspectives
During the Q&A session, students posed questions on a range of topics, including opportunities for non-Chinese nationals in Chinese firms, salary expectations across jurisdictions, and strategies for building client trust and relationships as a junior lawyer.
Both speakers reinforced the value of international experience, multilingual skills, and cultural intelligence in navigating the increasingly globalised legal profession.
