Lily Wang (JD 2026) and Dr. Scott Guan (SJD 2003) at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Shanghai, China (supplied photo).
The Dr. Scott Guan China Law Practice Award, generously supported by alumnus Scott Guan (SJD 2003), is an eight-week internship opportunity at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Shanghai, China, providing a JD student with early career experience abroad.
This year's award recipient, Lily Wang (JD 2026), reflects on her experience this summer:
"I still remember the excitement and surprise I felt that morning when I received the offer for the Dr. Scott Guan China Law Practice Award, confirming my summer internship in Shanghai. This excitement only grew as I arrived at Zhong Lun Law Firm, one of China’s top Red Circle law firms, to work with the Corporate and M&A group.
From the second day of this program, I began assisting lawyers and partners by reviewing and editing contracts and client responses in English, making me feel like a valued member of the team. As a bilingual law student, I was able to take on substantive work and additional responsibilities. Initially, I handled English-only tasks, but these gradually expanded to include documents in both Chinese and English. Eventually, I was trusted with working on files entirely in Chinese, such as labour dispatch agreements and equity transfer agreements.
In just two months, I gained meaningful exposure to both transactional and litigation work. For instance, in transactional work, I contributed to a mergers and acquisitions case in collaboration with a foreign firm, conducting due diligence. Working directly with associates and partners, I experienced firsthand the intricacies of multijurisdictional legal practice and observed the intersection between common law and the Chinese civil law system. The civil law system's emphasis on statutes and written laws, which requires different research and advocacy approaches, both complemented my common law skillset and allowed me to contribute a unique perspective. When I expressed interest in litigation work, I was added to a commercial arbitration case involving processor intellectual property, participating in drafting a defence statement in both Chinese and English. From collecting evidence and integrating research findings to engaging in group discussions for defence strategies, I was included in all stages of the case progression. This has given me a clearer sense of where my interests truly lie early in my legal career.
This internship provided unparalleled professional experience and insight into a legal career in a cross-cultural context. It was not only my first internship in China but also my first experience at a top-tier law firm. As a Chinese immigrant who grew up mainly in Canada, I was initially fluent in conversational Chinese but had no prior experience using it in a professional setting. Through this internship, I became more proficient in using Chinese at a professional level and familiar with Chinese legal expressions and terminology. In practice, when reviewing legal arguments and advice in both English and Chinese, I was also able to suggest more native English expressions, leveraging my understanding of the subtle differences in the languages.
Life in Shanghai outside of work was always lively and exciting. From casual lunchtime chats with lawyers to Yoga Wednesdays and weekend hangouts, there was never a dull moment. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival together, debating over sweet or savoury zongzi, and receiving a homemade one from a colleague, were particularly memorable experiences. I especially loved spending Saturdays with lawyers chatting about our favourite celebrities, enjoying hot pot dinners, and taking “city walks” in the Jing’an district, even in the 35C+ degree weather. Not to mention all the authentic Shanghainese food available just steps away from the firm (pork ribs with rice cakes is my all-time favourite). I also picked up a few Shanghainese phrases along the way!
I took full advantage of Shanghai's proximity to nearby cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou, with convenient high-speed trains making weekend trips just 30 minutes to an hour away. One highlight was taking Hanfu photos by Westlake, which transported me to the Legend of the White Snake ("Bai She Zhuan" in Chinese). On a more personal note, I visited my family in Lanzhou, Northwest China, after the internship, a reunion that would have otherwise been delayed.
This journey has been incredibly unforgettable. I will always remember my time in Shanghai, from the team spirit during defence strategy discussions to the spontaneous moments like running back to the firm together in the rain after taking photos at The Bund, with its unmissable night view. I am deeply thankful to Dr. Guan for providing this opportunity and to Stelley, my mentor, and all my colleagues for their exceptional mentorship and encouragement. Everyone’s support and willingness to teach immediately eased my nervousness about starting my first real "law job." By the end of my internship, I had formed close bonds with colleagues who taught me much more than just lawyering skills, making farewells very difficult. Despite my prior connection to China, the immersed environment far exceeded my expectations, both culturally and professionally. The genuineness and warmth I encountered have profoundly shaped my understanding of what I value in a legal career.
Regardless of one's familiarity with the Chinese language or knowledge of China, this internship offers a highly rewarding and influential experience both professionally and personally. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in cross-border practices, passionate about cultural and professional exchanges, or eager to build lifelong relationships with accomplished and genuine people on the other side of the globe."
D'Arcy White (JD 2020) and James Flynn (JD 2021) are past recipients of the Dr. Scott Guan China Law Practice Award. The award was not issued during years COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions and public health measures were in place.
