温柔却不失力量，专业且兼具坚韧。今年上榜ALB China十五佳女律师榜单的杰出女性律师们因其在法律服务行业的精彩表现获得了客户与市场的认可。部分上榜者向我们讲述了自己的法律生涯、成长路径、印象深刻的执业经历，以及对年轻女性律师的建议。

在中国，女性律师数量持续增长，这不仅局限于一线城市，二线、三线城市也经历了相同变化，彰显出法律服务市场的均衡发展。

女性律师在各自专业领域里持续深耕细作，她们凭借卓越的业务成绩和专业形象赢得了市场的持续赞誉。与此同时，女性在律所中的领导地位逐渐提升，越来越多女律师开始担任律所管理的关键职位。

巾帼风采

君合律师事务所合伙人连晶律师从业24年，是业内少有的具有破产重组、投资并购，以及能源、基础设施建设行业从业经验的专家复合型律师，能够在不同项目中以多元视角为客户提供全面的法律服务和意见。

“加入君合之前，我曾在中石油海外子公司工作了多年，随后进入外资律所工作，一直专注于能源领域。加盟君合后，除了能源相关融资项目，我开始接触并逐渐深耕于破产领域，希望进行多方面的业务叠加，成为复合型律师。凭借多年的项目管理、投资经验，以及对实业和企业的了解，我迅速上手了破产业务管理，为各类项目提供更多的行业资源。” 

执业生涯当中，她曾连续多年任华南国际经济贸易仲裁委员会（深圳国际仲裁院）仲裁员，作为首席仲裁员审理了众多疑难复杂的商事纠纷案件，能够深刻理解商事纠纷的裁判思维。近年来，连律师办理重大复杂破产案件业绩卓越，在利害关系方众多、利益冲突巨大的复杂破产案件中，以专业、公正、高效的执业作风，先后获得多个金融债权人、多级政府部门的赞誉。

刘思远律师是竞天公诚律师事务所最年轻的合伙人之一，在证券合规和证券投资者诉讼领域有着丰富的实务经验。她从业13年，面对证券监管力度进一步提升的发展风口，她果断抓住了市场机遇。刘律师告诉ALB，中国证监会行政执法实践的十年，也是她法律实务经验得以不断丰厚的十年。在此期间，她不仅维护了多家上市公司和相关企业家的合法权益，也以一个个具体而鲜活的案例、一次次不懈且专业的建言献策，为提升监管机构行政执法和司法机关司法审判的可接受度贡献力量，同时积极普法宣传、提升被监管对象合规意识，致力于配合监管建立健康有序的资本市场。

2017年加入竞天公诚后，刘律师凭借扎实的专业功底、深厚的理论水平、准确的业务判断与良好的服务意识，成功代理了中信证券司度案、康得新财务造假案、乐视网虚假陈述案等具有代表性的重大案件，对证券合规领域发展做出了积极贡献。

“作为国内最早一批从事证券合规法律服务的律师、也是新生代证券合规律师的代表，我的个人发展路径切实融入到了法律行业发展的大潮当中。从第一单股民集体索赔案至今，中国的证券合规市场方兴未艾，立法虽在进步但仍需完善。2015年股市异常波动事件后，中国证监会加大行政处罚力度，近年来重点打击信息披露违法违规、内幕交易、操纵市场行为，对财务造假零容忍。”刘律师指出。

汉坤律师事务所合伙人许莹律师从业20年，是一路伴随汉坤成长起来的新一代合伙人。在她看来，律师是个辛苦的行业，但同时又是充满挑战、需要不断适应和创新的行业，不断突破自我是从事这份工作的动力和乐趣。许律师一直专注于科技、媒体及新经济领域的法律服务，见证、参与和主导了很多具有里程碑意义的创新项目，也参与了诸多互联网头部企业的拆分融资项目。

许律师表示：“我们这一代律师，见证了互联网和新兴领域很多历史性法律法规和交易的诞生，我也有幸成为了许多事件的亲历者。我从业之初，私募股权投资还是新事物，我便从头开始学习、理解、精进、成熟。我相信好的商业律师不仅是法律专业人员，更是商业行为的设计者和参与者，只有深刻理解交易的商业逻辑、商业需求，交易律师才能将法律专业能力灵活运用于商业场景中，在法律风险及商业利益间找到完美的平衡。”

汉韬律师事务所创始合伙人李玲律师从中国政法大学毕业后进入中国航天工业总公司（现中国航天科技集团有限公司）空间技术研究院总体飞行器设计部审计部任法律顾问，后作为律师执业6年后，李律师于2004年创办了汉韬。

“专注、专业，认真负责，受人之托、忠人之事，将事情做到极致”是李律师一直秉持的执业理念。从业28年的她始终坚信律师是一份高尚的事业，法律服务不仅为自身带来良好的收益和价值提升，同时也捍卫了社会秩序和公平正义，推动了社会的法治发展进程。

“对于那些有着敏锐才智、具有从事艰苦工作能力和抱负的人来说，律师的工作有着无限宽广的前景。律师工作不仅给予我们识人辨事的品质和洞察力，更使我们深刻体会在各类案件、纠纷中，如何正确地维护当事人利益与法律尊严，从而实现律师的社会价值，”李律师说。

独有特质

立身于法律行业，信任是关键要素，而女性律师善于倾听、良好沟通、较强的同理心，以及独有的温润亲和力，也帮助她们更好地与客户建立信任关系。

对李玲律师来说，取得并保持客户的信任，并不是靠口头承诺就能实现的。

谈及自己获得市场认可的特质，李律师直言：“ 一是秉持坦诚的态度，不夸大、不隐瞒，告知客户真实的风险和后果；二是自我评估，即评估自身能力与案件和项目的专业度、协调度要求能否匹配，对于超出自己能力范围或者不合适自身的案件和项目，要坦诚告知客户；三是对于接受委托的项目和案件，要当成自己的事情，调动全部资源认真对待；四是在服务过程中，需要坚持原则和底线，但对于客户的一些额外要求，只要合法合理，可给予扩展，不要过分计较。”

对刘思远律师而言，积极的心态是助力她成为十五佳女律师的不二法宝。

在面对压力事件时，刘律师倾向于采取换位思考的策略，探究压力来源的根本原因，并积极寻找解决方案。在她看来，律师不应该陷入抱怨或感到不公平的情绪中，而是需要以积极的心态分析并解决问题，这对于转化困境为机遇也至关重要。

“保持积极的心态不仅是一种个人选择，也是我对待客户的方式。客户在面临压力时往往感到无助，而我作为专业人士，除了提供专业建议，还会进行心理疏导。有时我甚至开玩笑说自己应该去考一个心理咨询师资格证。我致力于传递积极的正能量，帮助客户以更加客观的态度看待自己、以更加乐观的态度面对问题。

“我可以帮助客户认识到：即使面临最糟糕的结果，生活仍将继续。首先，他们需要为自己的行为承担相应责任；其次，生活不会因此而停止。我处理过许多案件，见过太多人在经历监管调查和刑事追责后依然能够重新站起来，甚至迎来事业的第二春。”刘律师说道。

在连晶律师看来，“脚踏实地”是她获得客户与市场青睐的关键词。要想成为一名优秀的管理人，律师需要保持业务能力的精湛和内心的公正。这是连律师执业过程中的体会，也是她一贯的坚持。

“赢得市场认可的关键在于一步一个脚印地从手头的小案件做起，通过每一件案件积累声誉和口碑。没有任何案件是微不足道的，无论是债权人的微小诉求，还是与法院的沟通，我们都全力以赴，积极采用政府与法院的联动模式，确保与各方的顺畅沟通。

“处理案件时，我们始终坚持公平、中立，严格依法合规，同时兼顾社会和政治的需要。我们的灵活性始终建立在遵守法规的基础之上，确保不越雷池一步。在这一过程中，我们摒除私心，公正无私，这不仅是对管理人个人品行的考验，也是对整个管理团队的挑战。”连律师直言。

真知灼见

在几位律师看来，近年来，执业律师中女性的占比逐年上升，其中不乏有优秀专业的女性律师晋升至律所的管理岗位。

许莹律师说：“很多女性的特质，例如敏锐的洞察力、理解力和精细度，都是律师行业所需要的优秀品质。执业过程中，我曾遇到很多优秀的女性合伙人，她们通过极高的专业能力，在职场上取得了巨大成就。”

对于年轻的女律师，许律师的建议是：“要了解自己的兴趣和优势，根据个人的特点确定未来的执业领域和职业发展方向。有很多女合伙人在专业性更强、业务壁垒更高的领域，往往有很好的发展。”

刘思远律师也赞同这样的观点，她尤其强调能力的全面性：“能力可以给你带来选择权，选择权才能够带来真正的自由。”她解释道，能力需要得到全方位培养，这样一个人才能在工作生活的各个领域更为自如地发展。

“对于女性律师，我尤其强调要扎实地打造好基础能力，持续用自身的实力去打破限制，实现自我突破。基础能力的扎实，是女性律师实现自我价值和社会地位提升的基石。”刘律师补充道。

连晶律师则提示年轻律师“不必过度焦虑……做好自己，专注于自身成长和提升，你的努力和成就将会被看见”。

在她看来，职业初期，毕业生往往会经历一段迷茫期。无论是考虑成为法务、职业律师、公务员或其他，初期的尝试和探索都是宝贵的经历。但经过几年的实践后，重要的是能够迅速判断并确定自己的职业方向，选择一个领域进行长期深入的发展。

“对女性来说，自信是自强自立的前提。无论是作为家庭主妇还是职场女性，自信都是关键。当一个人对自己满意，对自己的成就感到自豪时，外界的正面反馈自然会随之而来。专注和努力的工作态度终将得到认可。

“因此，我建议年轻人在确定职业领域后，持续精进业务技能，投入必要的时间和精力，同时保持耐心，等待机会的到来。职业发展的过程可能是波动的，有高潮也有低谷，但只要坚持不懈，必将收获丰硕的成果。”连律师说道。

李玲律师则引用了美国历史上第一位女律师——迈拉・布拉德韦尔的例子，她通过坚持不懈的斗争与诉讼，才换来了美国国会通过法案、允许女性执业。此外，100年前，中国近代史上第一位女性博士、第一位女性律师郑毓秀同样是值得年轻律师学习的榜样。

在李律师看来，破解之道唯专业立本、认真做事、踏实做人。

“年轻律师们需要用专业的态度、知识和高效的服务去打破性别偏见，用实力证明性别从不是衡量能力的标准。要认真做好每一件事，因为细节决定成败。如果能遇到好的团队或律所，是很幸运的，可以培养正确的职业观念、工作习惯。如果没有遇到，那么自己也需要对自己负责。

“其次，可以根据自己的兴趣、专业背景和市场需求，选择合适的职业方向。最后，根据自身的情况和条件，设定合理的阶段性职业发展目标；参加交流活动，了解所处的职业环境，包括所在城市的法律市场需求、律所的文化和制度等。只要努力拼搏、不断提升自己，每位女律师都能在职场上找到属于自己的天地。” 李律师表示。

展望未来

竞天公诚的刘思远律师表示，在未来的发展规划中，她将继续深化在法律领域的专业实践，同时拓宽服务范围，并为自己设定了“一纵一横”的战略目标。

“首先是纵向深化，我已从专注于证券监管调查和证券虚假陈述诉讼，扩展到整个产业链的前端——日常合规体系建设，和后端——证券犯罪辩护。我们的目标是更宏观也更深入地理解行业，从而找到问题发生的根本原因和解决方案，也能更好地控制风险。我们的团队在市场上是为数不多的、能够提供从日常合规到证券犯罪辩护全流程的服务团队。

“其次是横向拓展，除了传统的股票虚假陈述案件，我们还扩展到了债券虚假陈述、大资管纠纷以及与监管交叉的公司诉讼等领域，不断丰富产品线。最后是地域布局，我的团队不仅限于北京，也在上海、深圳等资本市场活跃地区派驻了专业律师，以便就近为客户提供服务。

“展望未来，我计划将法律服务与商业决策更紧密地结合，为客户提供更全面的思考角度，参与他们的商业决策过程，以此实现服务深度和广度的双重提升。”刘律师表示。

未来，汉坤的许莹律师也会和团队一起，不断学习新的知识和探索新的领域，深耕新经济领域，打造一支专业过硬、商业敏感度出色的高效法律服务团队。

君合的连晶律师则表示，作为君合的一分子，她致力于将君合的品牌特色和其破产团队的特色融为一体。

“君合历来注重律师个人素质的培养，珍视团队成员的专业声誉。我期望团队律师各个都是精兵强将，热爱自己的专业，具备承受压力和面对困难的能力，拥有百折不挠的精神。

“只有目光长远，脚踏实地，才能不断前进，实现可持续发展。这种理念也是君合35年来发展历程的写照，是所有君合人的共同感受和体验。希望未来能够继续以团队的力量为客户提供卓越的法律服务。” 她说。

汉韬的李玲律师表示，她个人的职业发展与汉韬律所密切相联。

“汉韬所和我自己将继续秉持我们的执业理念和文化价值观，在优势领域不断深耕细作，持续向客户提供专业、高效、精益求精的特殊资产处置法律服务，以汉韬所之执业精神和专业高效稳固维系客户并发展客户，以能向客户提供优秀工作成果，能通过专业和经验切实满足客户需求为根基和追求，同时加强自身品牌建设和口碑宣传，加强机构内部变革及对人才的吸引和培养，创造更好的未来。”她说道。

2024 ALB China Top 15 Female Lawyers

Strength with grace, professionalism with resilience. This year’s ALB China Top 15 Female Lawyers list celebrates outstanding women in the legal industry who have earned recognition from clients and the market alike for their impressive contributions. Some of the honorees have shared insights into their legal careers, personal growth, memorable professional experiences, and advice for young female lawyers.

In China, the number of female lawyers continues to grow, not only in major cities but also in second- and third-tier cities, highlighting the balanced development of the legal services market. Female lawyers consistently deepen their expertise in their respective fields, gaining lasting recognition for their outstanding performance and professionalism. At the same time, women are increasingly rising to leadership roles within law firms, with more female lawyers taking on key management positions.

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENTS

Lian Jing – A partner at JunHe, Lian has 24 years of experience and is a rare talent in bankruptcy restructuring, M&A, and the energy and infrastructure sectors. She provides clients with comprehensive legal support across various projects. “Before JunHe, I worked for an overseas subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation and later at a foreign law firm, focusing on energy. After joining JunHe, I expanded into bankruptcy law, aiming to become a versatile lawyer. My project management and investment experience, along with my industry insights, helped me quickly adapt to bankruptcy case management and offer additional resources.”

As an arbitrator for the South China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration) for many years, Lian has presided over complex commercial disputes and developed a deep understanding of arbitration. Recently, she has excelled in handling intricate bankruptcy cases involving multiple stakeholders, earning praise from financial creditors and government bodies for her professionalism, fairness, and efficiency.

Liu Siyuan – One of the youngest partners at Jingtian & Gongcheng, Liu has 13 years of experience in securities compliance and investor litigation. She has seized opportunities amid increased securities regulation. “The last decade of China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) enforcement has paralleled my legal growth,” she tells ALB. During this time, she has protected the rights of listed companies and entrepreneurs and contributed to enforcement and judicial acceptance through case-specific advocacy. She also promotes legal awareness and helps regulated entities strengthen compliance, supporting a healthy capital market.

Since joining Jingtian & Gongcheng in 2017, Liu has successfully handled major cases such as Citic Securities’ CIDO case, the Kangde Xin financial fraud case, and the Leshi Internet Information false statement case, making a notable impact on securities compliance. “As one of China’s first securities compliance lawyers and a representative of the new generation, my career aligns with the market’s growth. Since the first shareholder class action, China’s securities compliance market has advanced, though the legislation still needs improvement. Following the 2015 market volatility, the CSRC has tightened penalties, targeting disclosure violations, insider trading, and market manipulation,” she notes.

Gloria Xu – A partner at Han Kun Law Offices for 20 years, Xu has grown with the firm as a new-generation leader. She views the legal profession as challenging and dynamic, driving her to constantly adapt and innovate. Xu has focused on legal services in technology, media, and the new economy sectors, witnessing and leading many milestone projects and complex financing deals for top internet companies.

Xu says, “Our generation of lawyers has seen the birth of key regulations and transactions in tech and emerging sectors. I was fortunate to be a part of this evolution. Early in my career, I started from scratch with private equity, learning and growing alongside it. A good commercial lawyer isn’t just a legal expert; they’re also a business designer and participant. By understanding the commercial logic and needs of a deal, a lawyer can strike the right balance between legal risks and business interests.”

Li Ling, founding partner of H&T Law Firm, began her career in aerospace legal advisory before founding H&T in 2004. She says, “Focus, professionalism, and accountability are my guiding principles. Over my 28-year career, I’ve held firm in the belief that law is a noble profession. It not only brings personal growth but also defends social order and justice, advancing the rule of law.”

“For those with sharp minds and ambition, law offers endless potential. This career gives us the discernment to protect client interests while upholding the law’s integrity, achieving the social value of the legal profession,” she adds.

UNIQUE QUALITIES

In the legal profession, trust is essential, and female lawyers often excel at building this trust through strong listening skills, effective communication, empathy, and a natural warmth that helps foster client relationships. 

For Li, trust isn’t earned through mere promises. Reflecting on what has earned her market recognition, she explains: “First, I maintain an honest approach—no exaggeration or concealment, always informing clients about the real risks and consequences. Second, I conduct self-assessments to ensure my capabilities align with a case’s requirements; if a matter is beyond my scope, I communicate that openly. Third, I treat each case as my own, mobilizing all resources to approach it with full commitment. Finally, while I uphold principles and boundaries, I’m also flexible with reasonable client requests, as long as they’re lawful and sensible.”

For Liu, a positive mindset is key to her success. When facing pressure, she prefers to shift perspectives, exploring the root cause and actively seeking solutions. She believes lawyers shouldn’t dwell on complaints or feelings of unfairness, but rather adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving, crucial in turning challenges into opportunities.

“Maintaining a positive outlook is both a personal choice and a client service strategy,” Liu shares. “Clients often feel helpless under stress, so beyond offering professional advice, I provide emotional support. I sometimes joke that I should earn a counseling license as well! My goal is to convey positive energy, helping clients adopt a more objective and optimistic view on their situations. I reassure them that, even under the worst outcomes, life goes on. They must take responsibility for their actions, but life doesn’t end here. I’ve seen clients face regulatory scrutiny or criminal charges, only to rebuild and achieve new career successes.”

For Lian, “steadfastness” is the trait that earns clients’ trust. She believes an effective lawyer must combine skill with fairness, and she’s built her career on this principle.

“Market recognition comes one case at a time, starting with the small ones and building a reputation. No case is too minor; we fully commit to each one, using government-court collaboration to ensure clear communication.

“We handle cases with neutrality, always adhering to the law while balancing social and political needs. Our flexibility remains within compliance, never crossing boundaries. In doing so, we set aside self-interest and act with integrity—qualities that challenge not just individual bankruptcy managers but our entire team,” she says.

INSIGHTS AND PRACTICE

The number of female lawyers has been steadily rising in recent years, with many advancing to leadership roles within firms.

Xu notes, “Qualities like keen insight, understanding, and attention to detail are valuable in our field. I’ve met many outstanding female partners who have achieved remarkable success through their high level of professionalism.” Her advice to young female lawyers is to recognize their interests and strengths, then choose a practice area and career path that align with those. “Many female partners thrive in fields that are highly specialized and have strong barriers to entry.”

Liu agrees, emphasizing the importance of versatility: “Skills give you options, and options bring real freedom.” She believes in the need for a well-rounded skill set to navigate all areas of work and life. “For female lawyers, a solid foundation is essential. It allows them to break barriers and achieve personal and professional growth,” she adds.

Lian encourages young lawyers to avoid excessive worry and instead focus on personal growth. In her view, early career exploration is invaluable, whether in-house, at a firm, or in government. After gaining some experience, it’s then crucial to determine a clear career direction and specialize in one area. “Self-assurance naturally attracts positive feedback. Hard work and dedication are always recognized. My advice is to continuously hone your skills and be patient as you await opportunities. Career growth has ups and downs, but perseverance will yield success,” she says.

Li draws inspiration from Myra Bradwell, the first female lawyer in U.S. history, and from Zheng Yuxiu, China’s first female Ph.D. and lawyer. She believes that young lawyers should focus on professionalism, integrity, and diligence. “Break gender biases with expertise, showing that skill—not gender—defines ability. Pay attention to every detail because they often determine outcomes. A strong team or firm is a bonus, but self-accountability is essential if you don’t find one. Choose a field based on your interests, background, and market needs, and set realistic career goals. Attend networking events to understand your professional environment and find your place. With hard work and continuous self-improvement, every female lawyer can carve out her own space in the legal world,” she advises.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

For the next step, Liu of Jingtian & Gongcheng plans to deepen her expertise and broaden services through a “vertical and horizontal” strategy. “Vertically, I’m expanding from securities regulatory work into areas like compliance systems and securities crime defense, aiming for a full-spectrum approach to better manage risks. Horizontally, we’re extending beyond stock misrepresentation to include bond misrepresentation, large asset disputes, and cross-regulatory cases, while expanding geographically to key markets like Shanghai and Shenzhen. I envision integrating legal services with business decision-making to enhance both depth and breadth.”

Xu from Han Kun envisions continued learning and exploration with her team, aiming to build a highly specialized and commercially savvy team focused on the new economy sectors.

Lian at JunHe is committed to integrating the firm’s brand values with the unique strengths of her bankruptcy team. “JunHe has always valued the professional reputation and personal qualities of our lawyers. I want every team member to be dedicated to their field, resilient under pressure, and persistent in overcoming challenges.

“Only by maintaining a long-term vision and taking steady steps can we achieve sustainable growth. This philosophy reflects JunHe’s 35-year journey, a shared experience for all of us. I hope to continue leveraging our collective strength to deliver outstanding legal services to our clients,” she explains.

Li feels that her career is closely tied to H&T’s growth. “H&T and I will continue to uphold our professional principles and values, focusing deeply on our areas of expertise and providing clients with refined, efficient legal services in special asset disposal. Our aim is to build lasting client relationships through quality results, using our expertise and experience to meet client needs effectively. Additionally, we will strengthen our brand, drive internal transformation, and attract and develop talent to create a better future,” she says.