On July 4, 2024, the 13th Annual Han Kun Youth Legal Scholarship Final Examination and Award Ceremony was successfully held in the Beijing office of Han Kun Law Offices ("Han Kun"). The event, launched at the beginning of this year, attracted the active participation of law students from universities and colleges across China. An internal panel comprising well-known law school professors and Han Kun partners conducted a rigorous and professional evaluation of the candidates following multiple rounds of selection, which included the review of written materials and a preliminary examination. In the end, Hu Biyuan of Renmin University, Liu Songlin of Tsinghua University, Liu Yajie of University of International Business and Economics, Lu Yujin of Peking University, and Wang Ziqi of Tsinghua University stood out as the winners of the 2024 Han Kun Youth Legal Scholarship (RMB 100,000 each). Another five students received honorary awards (RMB 10,000 each).
List of scholarship winners and honorary award winners (in in alphabetical order by surname)
Scholarship Winners
Hu Biyuan
Hu Biyuan earned a master's degree in jurisprudence from Renmin University of China and will study at Harvard University for an LL.M. degree this year. In terms of academic interests, his main interests lie in the sociology of law, "social-legal" research, and the social history of law. In his view, the Han Kun Youth Law Scholarship reflects Han Kun's concern about not only commercial lawyers, but also many social issues. For Hu Biyuan, only in the field he really likes can he do his best wholeheartedly. In the future, he hopes to study for an SJD degree and become a legal practitioner who combines his academic work with a public interest legal career. Coinciding with Han Kun's 20th anniversary, Hu Biyuan hopes that Han Kun achieves a new level of success!
Liu Songlin
Liu Songlin graduated from Tsinghua University School of Law and will study at the University of California, Berkeley to for an LL.M. In his spare time, he likes playing the dulcimer, playing clappers, and swimming. Through the Han Kun Scholarship evaluation, he learned about the open thinking and sensitivity to current affairs needed for future legal practitioners. He also had the opportunity to communicate with judges face to face and to learn about cutting-edge topics in the industry in a relaxed and enjoyable way. In the future, Liu Songlin hopes to become an skilled legal practitioner by being in touch with cutting-edge scientific and technological legal knowledge in Silicon Valley. At the same time, he also encourages peers to open themselves to more possibilities. On the occasion of Han Kun's 20th anniversary, Liu Songlin wishes that Han Kun advances every day and pools legal excellence worldwide!
Liu Yajie
Liu Yajie graduated from the University of International Business & Economics and will study at Peking University School of Law to continue her education. She performed excellently in school, and was awarded the National Scholarship, Beijing Three Merit Student, Beijing Outstanding Graduate, and spoke as the representative of Outstanding Graduates. Outside of her major, she enjoys traveling, baking and cycling. Liu Yajie said that the application process for the Han Kun Scholarship is a precious opportunity to introspect and learn from others. She is very grateful to Han Kun for organizing this scholarship evaluation and passing on the spirit and philosophy of legal professionals to the students. She also hopes that she can live up to the expectations of the Han Kun Scholarship and be a part of the building blocks for the future construction and development of the rule of law in China. On the occasion of Han Kun's 20th anniversary, she wanted to express her sincerest wishes to Han Kun, hoping that Han Kun will continue to improve as a top law firm in China, and at the same time contribute to the development and progress of the legal profession in China.
Lu Yujin
Lu Yujin received her LL.M. from Peking University Law School and B.A. from Yuanpei College of Peking University. She plans to pursue her J.D. at Columbia University Law School. Her hobbies include reading and watching movies. She believes that the scholarship can help young students pursue their studies and contribute to the rule of law in China, demonstrating Han Kun's humanity and sense of social responsibility. She is very honored to have the opportunity to participate in the scholarship selection process, thanks to the organization committee's careful arrangements, and thinks she learned quite a lot through interviews with the seniors. Lu Yujun said she would take the recognition as motivation to move forward and aim to become a foreign dispute resolution lawyer. She also believes that the legal profession is not only a job for a living, but also a duty, a mission, and a pursuit. She hopes that peers believe in themselves and actively draft application materials to showcase their own styles. Finally, Lu Yujin wishes Han Kun a happy 20th anniversary and a bright future as a leader in China's legal profession.
Wang Ziqi
Mr. Wang received his LL.B. degree from China University of Political Science & Law and an LL.M. degree from Tsinghua University. He will go on to pursue an LL.M. degree at the Law School of Yale University. His hobbies are reading and running. Mr. Wang Ziqi believes that the Han Kun Scholarship is open and inclusive, and that the firm is willing to help young lawyers pursue their dreams. The selection process gives candidates full space and freedom to express themselves, reflecting the judges' high respect for personal interests and characteristics. He wants to thank the Han Kun Scholarship for its recognition and encouragement, and he is determined to turn this dual material and spiritual encouragement into motivation and achievements. He plans to continue to study for his doctorate abroad, and then return to China to carry out research, aspiring to make a contribution to the field of public law and theoretical research. To future scholarship applicants, he suggests that everyone stay grounded and firm in their ideals and to believe that those who are willing to work for their dreams will be lucky to receive the support from others. He is honored to be one of the winners to witness Han Kun's 20th anniversary and hopes that the Han Kun Scholarship will continue to inspire more lawyers long into the future.
Honorable Winners of Han Kun Young Law Scholarship
Lu Jiarun
Lu Jiarun received his LL.M. from China University of Political Science & Law and will study for his Doctor of Laws (Ph.D.) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He loves music and literature, sports and the synthesis of thoughts. In his view, in a time of change, the Han Kun Scholarship has consistently encouraged restless young lawyers to open their eyes to the whole world, and generously granted young people for educational opportunities and possibilities. In the future, Lu Jiarun hopes to grow into an insightful private law scholar, contribute to the integration of domestic and foreign research, pay attention to the interests of the people, and remember his origins. He is honored to be recognized by the Han Kun Scholarship while Han Kun celebrates its 20th anniversary of being engaged in the high-end legal practice. For Han Kun and the participants, this scholarship is a historic link between the past and the future. He hopes Han Kun continues to achieve great success.
Ma Yanru
Ma Yanru received her LL.B. and B.A. degrees in sociology from Peking University and will study for her M.A. in Intellectual Property Law at Peking University. She loves badminton, travel, and reading, and believes that either body or soul should always be the way. She thinks that the Han Kun Scholarship embodies a sincere concern for young legal talent and social hotspots. The judges' tolerance of diverse professional interests has provided valuable support for students to re-examine themselves, devote themselves to the legal construction, and to serve the community and the world. In the future, she will always hold herself to the standards of Han Kun's professionalism and sincerity, strive to become an outstanding cross-border commercial dispute resolution lawyer, and do her best to advance the cause of legal aid. She hopes future applicants will continue to expand the scope and depth of their studies and life and become brave lawyers. Ma Yanru sincerely wishes Han Kun progresses every day and continues to speak out for social justice and contributes to the construction of the rule of law.
Wang Sennan
Wang Sennan graduated from Peking University School of Law with LL.B. and LL.M. degrees. He is a researcher at Peking University's Research Center for Law and Economics. He will pursue an LL.M. degree at Harvard Law School. He loves writing, movies and keeping fit. Wang Sennan believes that Han Kun's continuous support for the cultivation of legal practitioners and the rule of law in China is of great significance and encourages young lawyers to pursue excellence and contribute to society. He was impressed by the rigorous selection process for this year's scholarship. He hopes to become a corporate law scholar and promote the study of corporate theory and the progress of legal education in China. After completing his LL.M. degree, he plans to pursue a doctorate. For future applicants, he encourages students to explore their own strengths, think deeply about their possible contributions to society, and to be brave to shine. He sincerely wishes Han Kun a happy 20th birthday and hopes for the firm to make steady progress in the future and greater contributions to the progress of the rule of law in China.
Xie Erxi
Xie Erxi received her LL.B. degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and will pursue advanced studies at Duke University. She enjoys photography and singing and is an excellent ballroom dancer. She has won consecutive excellent scholarships at school, participated in professional competitions such as vis moot, ICC, where she achieved excellent results. Xie Erxi believes that the Han Kun Scholarship is a pro bono project of great social significance that gathers talent, contributes to development, and promotes the prosperity of China's legal industry. She is very grateful for the recognition and support of the jury and was encouraged during the selection, she hopes to carry on Han Kun's decades of legal spirit and practice social responsibility. In the future, she will continue to forge ahead, explore and cultivate deeply, and strive to become a professional young legal talent. For future applicants, she encourages everyone to try bravely, learn systematically, and always have enthusiasm for their legal careers. Finally, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Han Kun, Xie Erxi would like to wish Han Kun a happy birthday and to achieve grander prospects on behalf of the young legal professionals.
Yang Yufei
Yang Yufei graduated from China University of Political Science & Law and is about to study at the University of Hong Kong for the Juris Doctor program. In her spare time, she is passionate about bands, movies, and badminton. Yang Yufei believes that Han Kun Scholarship highly reflects Han Kun, as a young, vibrant and dynamic internationalized law firm, its care for young law students and its sense of social responsibility. She feels very honored to participate in the selection of this year's scholarship and also sees it as an opportunity to better her own abilities. One should dash ahead to what he/she yearns regardless of the circumstances. She believes that young people should seize the opportunity and dare to try. The future Han Kun Scholarship application should do the same, even if it is out of the mentality of trying, so to grant themselves a valuable experience. In the future, Yang Yufei looks forward to being devoted to the legal construction of the Greater Bay Area, with her knowledge of Mainland law and Hong Kong law from the perspective of a legal professional, to contribute to the progress and prosperity of the Greater Bay Area. Coinciding with Han Kun's 20th anniversary, she hopes for Han Kun's continued commitment to providing quality legal services to clients with outstanding professionalism and unremitting efforts in the future with a thriving business and new success.
As a new-generation full-service law firm, Han Kun has experienced and benefited from the tremendous changes and rapid development of China's society and has also deeply experienced the growing desire for high-end legal talents. Since 2012, Han Kun has set up the Han Kun Youth Law Scholarship public benefit program, which aims to recognize and reward young lawyers who aspire to play leading roles in their respective fields of law and promote the progress of society.
Han Kun partner Li Wei delivered a speech on behalf of Han Kun. He said that it is a great honor to participate in this year's Han Kun Scholarship selection and he thanks the judges for their participation and support despite their busy schedules. He also expressed thanks to the students for their hard work and cooperation. It was because of their enthusiastic participation that the Han Kun Scholarship could be continuously held successfully to this day. This year marks not only the 13th year of the program, but also the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Han Kun Law Offices. Thanks to the rapid growth of China's economy over the past two decades and the rapid development of China's legal society and legal community, Han Kun has now grown into a comprehensive law firm. By holding this scholarship, Han Kun hopes to help outstanding law students participate more actively in China's legal affairs and to continue to build the legal community with their original aspirations in mind. Han Kun is also very pleased to see the remarkable attitudes of the new generation of students, who impressed the judges with their understanding of international rules, current news, and foreign language skills. Finally, he wished all the students the best of luck in their studies and careers.
At the award ceremony, the judges of the second rounds of interviews congratulated the students for winning the Han Kun Scholarship. A representative of the judges, Professor Guo Li from Peking University School of Law, expressed his gratitude to Han Kun for the invitation and the judges had a pleasant chance to have in-depth exchanges and mutual inspiration with every student. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Han Kun Law Offices and the 120th anniversary of the founding of Peking University Law School. Peking University Law School has witnessed every step of the development of China's jurisprudence and the rule of law. Following the tide of the times, Han Kun has also experienced profound changes in China's legal industry. At this juncture, the new mission of the times has put forward new requirements for contemporary lawyers. The judges have the following expectations of the students: first, that the young generation of lawyers can take the initiative to adapt to new circumstances and challenges; second, that the students can be tolerant, can coexist with people of different backgrounds and characteristics in harmony; third, that the students should have firm ideals and beliefs, and keep reverence for the law and a modest heart to do good. Students in their 20s are in their prime with promising futures. He thanked the organizers for giving all participants of the program the opportunity to be a part of the wonderful history of the outstanding students. The judges looked forward to the continued growth of the new generation of lawyers and their contribution to the cause of the rule of law.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Han Kun and also the 13th year of the Han Kun Youth Law Scholarship Program. In the blink of an eye, the Han Kun Scholarship has identified more than 100 top talents. Over the past 13 years, the Han Kun Youth Law Scholarship has not only helped more than one hundred young students continue their studies, but also seen more and more young legal talents move toward a broader platform and actively devote themselves to the law practice, contributing to the development of the rule of law in China tomorrow. In the future, Han Kun will be dedicated to helping more law students to pursue and realize their dreams.
