On August 23, 2025, the "Symposium on Lawyer System Reform and Development in the New Era and the Amendment of the Lawyers Law" was held in Beijing, co-hosted by the Institute of Procedural Law of China University of Political Science and Law and the Research Center for Rule of Law Development and Judicial Reform in the New Era of China University of Political Science and Law,
Chen Weidong, Doctoral Supervisor at Renmin University of China Law School and Executive Vice President of the Criminal Procedure Law Research Association of the China Law Society; Zhang Yongbo, Deputy Director of the Research Center for Comprehensive Rule of Law of the Ministry of Justice; Liu Guiming, former Editor-in-Chief of the "Democracy and Legal System" Magazine of the China Law Society and Vice President of the Legal Document Research Association of the China Law Society; and Xie Huisheng, Director of Beijing Celue Law Firm, delivered speeches at the event. Professor Li Bensen, Doctoral Supervisor at the Institute of Procedural Law of China University of Political Science and Law and Director of the Research Center for Rule of Law Development and Judicial Reform in the New Era of China University of Political Science and Law, served as the moderator.
Zhai Yuhua, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of TianDiRen Law Firm, and Zhou Fusheng, Senior Partner and Deputy Director of the Management Committee, attended the event as special guests. They provided insights and suggestions on issues concerning the reform and development of the legal profession, demonstrating TianDiRen's professional commitment and forward-looking vision in promoting the rule of law and industry innovation.
The symposium brought together leaders and scholars from authoritative institutions such as the Ministry of Justice, China University of Political Science and Law, and Renmin University of China, as well as representatives from nationally renowned law firms. The conference focused on core issues in lawyer system reform, covering key areas including lawyer positioning and admission, law firm management innovation, protection of practice rights, and professional conduct standards.
In the thematic session on "Lawyer Positioning and Admission, Law Firm Management, and Foreign-Related Legal Services," Zhai Yuhua put forward his suggestions regarding the orientation of the Lawyers Law, the attributes of lawyers, the role of lawyers, lawyer protections, the organization and management of law firms, and the regulation of the legal services market.
Zhou Fusheng made five proposals regarding the amendment of the Lawyers Law: First, the dual nature of lawyer positioning—political and market-oriented—should be addressed. He suggest amending Article 2 of the Lawyer Law to: "The term 'lawyer' as used in this Law refers to a practitioner of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics who has obtained a lawyer's practice certificate in accordance with the law, accepts retention or designation, safeguards the lawful rights and interests of clients, upholds the correct implementation of the law, and maintains social fairness and justice." Second, the hierarchical levels and titles of law firm management personnel should be standardized. Third, lawyers should have appropriate relief measures when their rights are infringed upon, and it is suggested that judicial administrative authorities be granted the power to impose corresponding penalties for conduct that infringes upon lawyers' practice rights. Fourth, a "first-offense exemption from penalty" system should be established, under which lawyers who commit regulatory or statutory violations for the first time, with minor circumstances and a sincere attitude of admitting fault, may be exempted from disciplinary action or penalties. Fifth, it is suggested that law firms be granted a certain scope of disciplinary powers.
As a leading comprehensive law firm in China, TianDiRen has always adhered to the principle of "establishing the firm on professionalism and the rule of law" and actively participates in national rule of law development and judicial reform. In recent years, TianDiRen has achieved remarkable achievements in areas such as foreign-related legal services, dispute resolution, and corporate compliance. At the same time, the firm places great emphasis on Party building and, through innovative management mechanisms and the cultivation of high-quality legal talent, continues to deliver premium legal services to support the development of the rule of law in China. Its participation in the symposium on the amendment of the Lawyers Law represents another important practice through which the firm keeps pace with national policies and contributes to judicial reform.
As the amendment process of the Lawyers Law advances and lawyer system reform deepens, TianDiRen will continue to leverage its professional advantages, actively engage in theoretical and practical research on the rule of law, and contribute more "TianDiRen wisdom" to improving the lawyer system and optimizing the legal services ecosystem.
