The Good Chinese Lawyer explores the ethical and professional challenges that will confront a law student, and will help them to prepare for life as a lawyer. The book offers principled and pragmatic advice about how to overcome such challenges. It urges readers to examine motives for seeking a career in law, to foster a deep understanding of what it means to be 'good' lawyer, and how to draw on virtue and judgment when difficult choices arise, rather than simply relying on rushed compliance with rules or codes. The Good Chinese Lawyer analyses four important areas of legal ethics – truth and deception, professional secrets, conflicts of interest, and professional competence – and explains the choices that are available when determining a course of moral action. It links theory to practice, and includes many diagrams and scenarios to illustrate ethical concepts and good decision-making.

‘The Good Chinese Lawyer is the first treatise to help lawyers in Greater China make moral judgements in practice. It analyzes not only the unique values and considerations of ethical rules, but also addresses issues caused by the economic, structural and technological challenges within this region. It is an excellent reference for practice within Greater China, but also a good textbook for the purpose of legal education.’

Thomas Chih-hsiung Chen - Dean and Professor of Law, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

‘Sparkling with critical insights from theory and practice, The Good Chinese Lawyer is the unique book that succeeds both as a novel scholarly analysis of the ethical and institutional challenges of contemporary legal practice and a useful roadmap for lawyers seeking guidance in the pursuit of meaningful and sustainable professional careers. Showing how ‘good’ lawyering transcends craft, the book makes the compelling case for lawyers to pursue social responsibility over narrow client interests: placing morality at the center of legal practice to strengthen lawyer well-being while promoting the public interest. Drawing upon interdisciplinary research and careful analysis of the Chinese educational and regulatory systems, The Good Chinese Lawyer gives hope that deliberate choices about where and how to practice can raise the bar of lawyer conduct - a transcendent message that deserves a wide audience.’

Scott L. Cummings - Robert Henigson Professor of Legal Ethics and Faculty Director of the Program on Legal Ethics and the Profession at the UCLA School of Law

‘Professors Evans, Wu, and Shenjian demonstrate their deep understanding of the realities of the study and practice of law. Students contemplating applying to law school, as well as law students and new lawyers, will find The Good Chinese Lawyer to be an invaluable resource.’

Peter A. Joy - Henry Hitchcock Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis

‘This is an excellent book. It will not only inspire students whilst also offering them practical support in addressing ethical dilemmas. It will also stimulate them to think deeply about the contemporary meaning of legal professionalism and ethics, and their intersection with wider social/technological developments. It should therefore be a fundamental component of legal training, and an essential guide for practising lawyers. I cannot recommend it sufficiently highly.’

Hilary Sommerlad - Chair and Professor in Law and Social Justice, University of Leeds

‘The Good Chinese Lawyer introduces Chinese lawyers and those interested in the Chinese legal profession to modern legal ethics by effectively weaving theory, doctrine and practical examples to explore some of the field’s essential challenges, such as whether law practice is a profession or a business and the tension between common and role morality.’

Eli Wald - Charles W. Delaney Jr. Professor of Law, University of Denver

‘Because it addresses the tougher ethical questions raised by lawyering as well as the realities of law school and legal practice, this book would be a great resource in any country. Its focus on Greater China is of exceptional interest, and in today's world, suggests it is a book that should be read by all.’

Helena Whalen-Bridge - Associate Professor of Law, National University of Singapore