2023年迄今，已有350余位港澳律师领取了粤港澳大湾区律师执业证书。ALB和首批“拿牌”的香港律师聊了聊他们在大湾区展业的情况，以及对下一步发展的设想。此外，广泛吸纳大湾区律师加盟的内地律所也表示，港澳人才或将帮助他们在国际化发展道路上实现“弯道超车”。
2022年7月，香港律师何君尧正式加盟广信君达律师事务所，成为粤港澳大湾区“001号”律师；今年10月，伴随香港律师李连君的加入，广信君达吸纳大湾区律师的人数达到30位，这意味着有近十分之一的“拿牌”港澳律师选择广信君达作为自己展开大湾区内地执业的平台。
肖硕彬是广信君达的高级合伙人，他一直在利用自己的涉外法律服务背景和与香港律师长期的信赖关系，推动更多大湾区律师加入自己所在的平台。
肖律师告诉ALB，目前加盟广信君达的30位大湾区律师遍布诉讼和非诉业务领域，“包括民商事诉讼、婚姻家事、并购重组、资本市场IPO、债券、基金、房地产买卖等多个传统和新兴业务类型的人才”。此外，广信君达和香港何君柱律师楼、柯伍陈律师事务所、孖士打律师行签署了战略合作协议，系统性地吸纳他们通过大湾区执业考试的律师加盟广信君达。
业已展开执业
根据司法部数据，过去一年多来，大湾区律师已累计办理内地法律事务近500件。
去年7月，就在“拿牌”后不久，何君尧代理的一宗涉及内地物业的遗产继承纠纷案成为大湾区律师执业后代理的首宗案件。回顾过去15个月来在内地展开的工作，何君尧分享道，“我已经在大湾区出庭4次，参与案件既有普通的民商事纠纷，也有知识产权纠纷。另外我还有大约15起案件正在处理过程当中。”
此外，根据大湾区律师执业“红线”要求，“我们不可以出庭处理刑事和行政纠纷，但也有些客户来找我建议。一方面我会从民事诉讼角度进行分析、提示意见，另外也会帮助他们对接广信君达可以处理刑事案件的合伙人，一起为客户提供最完善、最好的法律服务，也充分体会到了团队合作的精神和好处”。
2022年底，香港何文琪律师事务所创始人何文琪也正式加盟广信君达，成为大湾区律师。由于加入时间尚短，她暂时还没有以大湾区律师的身份在内地展开业务，不过“广信君达和一些国内同行已经向我查询过一些涉外案件的处理，我也向他们提供了法律服务报价，目前还在和一位广信君达律师商谈一单关于涉外仲裁的案件”。
此外，何文琪也切身感受到了大湾区律师身份给她的既有业务和个人品牌带来的好处。她分享了一个例子：此前香港联交所曾向她询问一份由中国法律管辖的谅解备忘录的可执行性，她向其指出了新《民法典》对于在合同中没有明确规定的某些条款提供了合同解释，最终成功说服了联交所。“如果我不是大湾区律师，联交所可能会要求我们提供一份正式由内地律师出具的法律意见书。”何律师说。
作为企业融资和重组领域专家，何文琪期待自己未来可以以大湾区律师身份参与更多法律意见书的签署。“此外对于个人客户，我们也可以在买卖地产、遗嘱继承、婚姻家事方面提供相关法律服务。”她说。
选择适合的平台
大湾区律师内地执业试点要求通过考试的港澳律师对接加盟内地律所平台，在选择内地平台时，大湾区律师有哪些考量因素？一旦加盟，内地平台又能为大湾区律师提供怎样的支持？
何文琪指出，她首先考虑选择“一家值得信赖、最好律所里有熟悉的律师同行，以及大家从事相近法律业务的律所，这样才可以有更好的互动。我之所以会加盟广信君达，就是因为这里有一位我已经认识超过20年的律师朋友，之前一起做过案件，大家相处得非常愉快”。
“另外，我觉得规模也是一个很重要的考虑因素，比如广信君达因为规模大，所以会有几位专人帮忙处理大湾区律师的事务，比如协调参加大湾区培训班及交流会。”
何君尧也坦言，选择平台时，诚信友谊的态度和长远发展的眼光是基础。“想要加盟最高大上的平台没有错，但要抱着‘重新出发’的态度，以最大的诚意做起步点。有些律所虽然看起来很小，但未来发展的潜能非常庞大，怎样去把握，全看您自己。”
此外，眼光长远也意味着“不要论斤估两，做了贡献就要马上拿回相应的待遇，要愿意分享经验，不要以为分享之后自己就没有优势了——君子自强不息，如果对自己有信心，就能持续去开发新的技术”。
作为目前华南地区吸纳大湾区律师数量最多的内地平台，肖硕彬将广信君达对港澳律师的吸引力总结为：品牌强、规模大、涉外业务丰富、潜在业务机会较多，以及和港澳律师的长期互动较为密切。
此外，在策略层面的先一步清晰布局也是关键。肖律师告诉ALB，大湾区律师试点政策出台后广信君达第一时间进行回应，出台了内部吸纳和服务大湾区律师的策略，并成立了专门的港澳律师服务部，指定专人去主动接触已经考取执业资格的律师、吸引他们加盟。
“每次有律师加盟，我们都会第一时间举行欢迎仪式、在微信公众号上进行宣传，并在品牌宣传、推荐加入涉外业务专家库方面做倾斜。”此外，并非所有大湾区律师都将目光聚焦在广州、深圳，广信君达在大湾区的其他办公室因此也积极配合，目前已经有大湾区律师陆续加盟了珠海、东莞分所。在广信君达组织的各类论坛上，大湾区律师现在也经常以嘉宾身份参与分享、积极展开业务对接。
今年9月初，人大常委会决议将大湾区律师试点继续延长三年，谈到延期原因时，司法部部长贺荣坦言，目前已经取得内地执业资质的律师“业务开展较为有限，其作用尚未充分发挥，试点政策的优势和效果尚未完全显现……需要更多时间来评估政策效果”。
确实，“重新出发”的港澳律师如何在大湾区市场找到自己应有的位置，也需要更多同仁在实践中共同探索。
“我们要花时间开展业务，但也要播种。”何君尧说。“播种是什么意思？就是不单为自己的业务开拓未来，也为行业发展做出贡献。”因此，过去15个月里，何律师参加了广东省司法部、省律协、南沙开发区粤港澳大湾区律师工作小组等组织的众多分享活动。
何文琪也特别强调参与内地交流活动的重要性，例如她在今年与香港律师会的同行们一起拜访了深圳律师会同行、到前海法院旁听了涉外案件庭审、到南沙法院和大湾区律师法律中心参加了关于创享湾涉外审判庭的分享活动，还参加了粤港澳法律专业合作促进会的交流活动，“都有助于我们更快更好地融入大湾区”。
对于大湾区律师执业试点期的延长，广信君达继续抱持欢迎的态度。尤其在律所的国际化发展道路上，肖硕彬相信，加盟的港澳律师甚至可能帮助广信君达这样从华南本土成长起来的律所实现“弯道超车”。
“大湾区律师本身已经熟悉国际业务、具备国际声誉，现在他们加盟成为广信君达的律师，所带来的经验和客户资源可以直接为我们所用，帮助我们打通多法域的服务能力。这绝对是我们最为珍贵的人才宝库。”肖律师说。
STRONGER TOGETHER
More than 350 Hong Kong and Macao lawyers have obtained the certificate to practice law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) so far in 2023. While licensed Hong Kong lawyers will be able to grow their business in the GBA region, Mainland firms that have been actively attracting GBA lawyers are also convinced that talents from Hong Kong and Macao may help them overtake competitors on their journey of international expansion.
In July 2022, Hong Kong lawyer Junius Ho officially joined ETR Law Firm, headquartered in Guangzhou, becoming the first-ever Greater Bay Area (GBA) lawyer under a new regime established by the Chinese government. This regime permits licensed Hong Kong and Macao lawyers to practice in specific areas within the nine mainland cities of Guangdong. With the recent addition of another Hong Kong lawyer, Li Lianjun, in October, ETR Law Firm has successfully recruited 30 GBA lawyers. This achievement signifies that nearly one in ten licensed Hong Kong and Macao lawyers have chosen ETR Law Firm as the platform for their practice.
Benson Xiao, senior partner at ETR Law Firm, has strategically utilized his background in cross-border legal services and established trust with Hong Kong lawyers to encourage more GBA lawyers to join the firm.
According to Xiao, the 30 GBA lawyers at ETR engage in a broad spectrum of contentious and non-contentious areas, encompassing "talents in various traditional and emerging practice areas such as civil and commercial litigation, marriage and family law, mergers, acquisitions, and reorganizations, capital market IPOs, bonds, funds, real estate transactions, etc." Additionally, ETR has entered into strategic cooperation agreements with Hong Kong firms, including K. C. Ho & Fong, ONC Lawyers, and Mayer Brown, to recruit their lawyers who have successfully passed the GBA practice examination to join ETR systematically.
TAKING SHAPE
Data from the Ministry of Justice reveals that GBA lawyers have handled nearly 500 Mainland legal matters over the past year. In July of the previous year, Junius Ho represented the first-ever case by a GBA lawyer involving a dispute over inheritance concerning Mainland properties. Reflecting on his work in the Mainland over the past 15 months, Ho notes, "I have appeared before the court four times in the GBA, handling both ordinary civil and commercial disputes as well as intellectual property disputes. Additionally, I currently have around 15 ongoing cases."
Adhering to the red line requirements governing the practice of GBA lawyers, Ho emphasizes, "While we are not permitted to appear in court for criminal and administrative disputes, some clients seek advice from me in these matters. I analyze these cases and offer opinions from a civil litigation perspective. Simultaneously, I connect them with ETR partners authorized to handle such cases, ensuring we collectively provide clients with comprehensive and optimal legal services, exemplifying the spirit of teamwork and reaping its benefits."
At the close of 2022, Angela Ho, founder of Angela Ho & Associates, also joined ETR as a GBA lawyer. Despite being on the new platform for a few months, Ho has yet to commence practice on the Mainland. However, she reports, "ETR and some Mainland colleagues have already consulted me regarding handling cross-border cases, and I have provided quotes for legal services. I am currently in discussions with an ETR colleague about a cross-border arbitration case."
Ho has personally experienced the advantages of being a GBA lawyer for her existing business and personal brand. She cites an example where the Hong Kong Stock Exchange ("HKEX") sought her opinion on the enforceability of a memorandum of understanding governed by Chinese law. Ho highlighted to HKEX that the new Civil Code offers contractual interpretations for certain clauses not explicitly stipulated in contracts. She notes, "If I were not a GBA lawyer, HKEX might have required a formal legal opinion issued by a Mainland lawyer."
As an expert in corporate financing and restructuring, Ho eagerly anticipates contributing to more legal opinions as a GBA lawyer in the future. She adds, "For individual clients, we can also offer relevant legal services in real estate transactions, testamentary inheritance, and marriage and family law matters."
RIGHT PLATFORM
The pilot scheme permitting GBA lawyers to practice in the Mainland mandates that Hong Kong and Macao lawyers who have successfully passed the relevant examination join Mainland firms. Consequently, GBA lawyers face important considerations when selecting Mainland platforms and must assess the support these firms can offer once they join.
Ho's foremost priority is selecting "a trustworthy firm, ideally with peers whom I am familiar with and engaged in similar practice areas, fostering better interaction. The reason for choosing ETR Law Firm is the presence of a lawyer friend whom I have known for over 20 years and collaborated with previously, fostering a strong professional relationship."
"In addition, size is also a critical factor. Due to its substantial size, ETR Law Firm dedicates personnel to assist in managing affairs for GBA lawyers, such as coordinating participation in GBA training courses and exchanges," she adds.
Junius Ho underscores that when choosing a platform, a sincere and friendly attitude and a long-term development perspective are foundational. "While aspiring to join the largest and most prestigious firms is natural, approaching this with a 'fresh start' mindset and sincere dedication is crucial. Some seemingly smaller firms exhibit significant potential for future development. Seizing opportunities depends entirely on one's initiative."
Furthermore, adopting a long-term perspective entails "avoiding shortsighted decisions and not immediately seeking corresponding benefits after making contributions. Instead, we should be open to sharing our experiences without fearing a loss of competitive edge – noble individuals consistently strive for self-improvement. Confidence in ourselves fosters the development of new skills."
Xiao, representing ETR Law Firm, currently boasting the largest number of GBA lawyers in South China, outlines the firm's appeal to Hong Kong and Macao lawyers: a robust brand, substantial size, extensive cross-border business, abundant potential opportunities, and enduring, close interactions with lawyers from Hong Kong and Macao.
Early clarity in strategy is also deemed crucial. Xiao notes, "Our firm promptly responded to the introduction of the pilot policy for GBA lawyers by unveiling an internal strategy to attract and serve GBA lawyers. This included establishing a dedicated Hong Kong and Macao lawyer service department and assigning personnel to proactively approach qualified lawyers, enticing them to join."
"Upon the addition of each new GBA lawyer, we celebrate with a welcome party, report the news on our WeChat official account, and accord priority in terms of brand promotion and inclusion in the cross-border business expert database. Additionally, recognizing that not all GBA lawyers focus solely on Guangzhou and Shenzhen, ETR's other offices in the GBA region actively participate, with GBA lawyers already joining our Zhuhai and Dongguan offices. These lawyers frequently participate as guests in various ETR forums, sharing expertise and actively contributing to business development."
BRIGHTER FUTURE
In early September, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress decided to extend the pilot scheme for GBA lawyers by another three years. Discussing the reasons for the extension, Minister of Justice He Rong stated that GBA lawyers "have had limited business opportunities and have not fully played their roles, and the advantages and intended effects of the pilot scheme have not been fully achieved... More time is needed to assess the scheme's effectiveness." Indeed, the exploration of how Hong Kong and Macao lawyers who are "starting afresh" can find their niche in the GBA market also requires further practical examination.
"We need to invest time in developing business, but we also need to sow seeds," says Junius Ho. "What does this mean? It means not only envisioning the future for one's own business but also contributing to the overall industry's development." Over the past 15 months, he has actively participated in numerous sharing sessions organized by entities such as the Guangdong Provincial Department of Justice, the provincial lawyers association, the Nansha Development Area Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Lawyers Working Group, and more.
Ho of Angela Ho & Associates underscores the importance of participating in Mainland exchange activities. For instance, this year, she visited colleagues in the Shenzhen Lawyers Association with the Law Society of Hong Kong, attended hearings of cross-border cases at the Shenzhen Qianhai Cooperation Zone People's Court, and engaged in sharing sessions on the cross-border hearing tribunal at the Nansha Court and the Greater Bay Area Lawyers' Law Centre. She also participated in exchange activities organized for the legal profession by the Council for the Promotion of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation, all of which facilitated a faster and better integration into the GBA region.
ETR Law Firm continues to welcome the extension of the pilot period for GBA lawyers, particularly regarding the internationalization of law firms. Xiao believes that Hong Kong and Macao lawyers who have joined may even accelerate the progress of home-grown firms like ETR in overtaking stronger competitors.
"GBA lawyers are already familiar with international business and enjoy an international reputation. Now that they have joined ETR Law Firm as lawyers, the experience and client resources they bring can be directly utilized by us, helping establish service capabilities in multiple jurisdictions. This is undeniably our most valuable talent pool," says Xiao.
