Law student James Flynn receives a gift of a Zhong Lun Law Firm golf shirt, ahead of his placement in Shanghai this summer, from alumnus and award donor, Scott Guan, SJD 2003.
James Flynn is the second recipient of the annual Dr. Scott Guan China Law Practice Award, generously supported by alumnus Scott Guan, SJD 2003, to help law students have an international experience early in their careers.
“When I found out I had received the award, I was filled with excitement for the summer ahead,” said Flynn, who will be entering his second year of law school this September. “I strongly believe that knowledge of China is vital for success in today’s professional world, and there is no better way to learn about the country than to be immersed in its culture. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Guan for providing this opportunity to U of T Law students. I can’t wait to get started.”
Dean Edward Iacobucci, D’Arcy White, James Flynn, Scott Guan
With the success of the inaugural internship, held by D’Arcy White last year, Guan has expanded the internship to two months, up from the original four weeks, allowing more time for sight-seeing not only in Shanghai, but also around China, an important cultural aim of the award.
For Flynn, a 2016 Rhodes Scholar, one of three from U of T that year, this is an opportune placement.
“I have a longstanding interest in China dating back to my undergraduate degree at U of T, where I studied economics and political science. I also took multiple courses on China and completed a dissertation on Chinese equity markets with Dr. Lynette Ong, an expert on the political economy of development in China. Dr. Ong and I also co-authored a 3,000-word chapter on the importance of youth engagement in Canada–China relations for Moving Forward: 45 Years of Canada–China Relations, published by University of Toronto Press. After my time at U of T, I completed a master of science in contemporary Chinese studies at the University of Oxford, where I helped organize a cultural and educational exchange to Beijing and Shanghai for a group of 20 Rhodes Scholars.”
Flynn noted while he has visited China for a short trip, he has never lived there. “I am excited for the opportunity this summer to explore Shanghai for even longer, as well as travel around the country to new places and further experience China’s rich culture.”
And he looks forward to a summer strengthening his passion for China. “Going forward into my career, I hope to combine my interest in China with my legal education to work at the forefront of cross-border transactions. I am confident that the opportunity to work with Dr. Guan and the Zhong Lun Law Firm team will give me the tools necessary to do so.”
As for D’Arcy White, he enjoyed his placement in Shanghai so much, he’s headed to an exchange semester at Tsinghua School of Law this fall.
