As one of the leading "Red Circle" law firms in China, JunHe's influence is not only evident in the firm's reputable legal services, but also in its dedication to corporate social responsibility (“CSR”). This is seen in the firm’s various CSR initiatives which give back to society through public welfare activities such as the implementation of scholarship programs, low-carbon and environment protection programs, charity drives and the provision of pro-bono services.
Provision of Pro-bono Services
JunHe provides long-term legal services for several domestic and foreign non-profit organizations. The firm is one of the founding members of Non-Profit Partners (“NPP”), whose mission is to promote public interest initiatives. Other members of the NPP include the China Youth Development Foundation, the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, McKinsey & Company, Deloitte & Touche, Ogilvy, Novartis, and Motorola.
JunHe has provided comprehensive legal aid services to parties involved in significant public events. In the Malaysia Airlines case, where flight 370 disappeared en route to Beijing, JunHe accepted the designation from the Ministry of Justice and the Beijing Lawyers Association. JunHe provided legal assistance to the relatives of the Chinese passengers on the flight to claim compensation from Malaysia Airlines and the other responsible parties. As the head of the negotiating team, the partner of JunHe worked through a series of complicated and specific issues which eventually helped most of the claimants to reach a favorable settlement with the highest amount of damages ever compensated in the history of Chinese aviation disaster claims. This legal victory has been positively assessed by the Central Government, the Beijing Municipal Government, and other government departments.
Contributing to Education and Sustainable Development
“Wise youth lead a wise nation; resourceful youth lead to a resourceful nation; strong youth lead to a strong nation.” JunHe has spared no effort to help improve public education by establishing the JunHe Hope Primary School for children living in disadvantaged mountainous areas. The firm established a dedicated fund and organizes regular donations to improve the school environment. JunHe has purchased computers, electric water boilers, and sports equipment for the school, and has helped improve school libraries, build solar-powered bathrooms, and purchased school bags, books, desks and chairs for the students. The firm has provided subsidies to students with financial difficulties and supported the teaching staff, by awarding bonuses and yearly subsidies to substitute teachers with low salaries. This has helped the school improve its soft skills along with the provision of the basic school necessities. JunHe encouraged the school to develop “student-oriented” quality education, such as setting up percussion bands and choirs through on-line classes to cultivate the children's all-round development and allow them to master a variety of skills. JunHe also initiated the Yixue Program to fund teachers from impoverished mountainous areas to take part in exchange programs or further their studies in Beijing. JunHe has also actively provided pro-bono legal services to the western regions of China, subsidized disadvantaged children’s school fees, established libraries in disaster-struck areas, and invited students to carry out internships at various JunHe offices.
JunHe protects young people by educating them about legal issues. We have organized a series of pro-bono public lectures themed around minor legal protection topics. We combined with Peking University and China University of Political Science and Law in their joint “Master Program for Juris Master degree (International Lawyers)” as their tutoring partner, in an effort to cultivate and promote legal expertise in handling foreign related cases in China.
Implementing ESG Practices to Preserve Clear Waterways and Green Mountains in China
As a large comprehensive law firm in China, JunHe is able and willing to lead the way for the green transition of society. We were trailblazers in establishing an Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) team within the firm and promote green operations and low carbon culture ideals internally.
In 2022, JunHe and Beijing Afforestation Foundation (BAF) jointly established the BAF Carbon Neutrality Special Fund, which is the first carbon neutrality special fund in China sponsored by a law firm. Contributing to the 30/60 decarbonization goal, the fund aims to encourage and motivate organizations and individuals to take action in response to public welfare initiatives such as increasing carbon sink while reducing emission and reforestation. JunHe also abides to the concept of public environmental welfare and has become the first carbon-free law firm in China to be accredited by the authoritative certifying body since the 30/60 decarbonization goal was set. We are making significant efforts for people to pay attention to climate change and join the efforts of emission reduction and decarbonization.
“Fear Not the Want of Armor, for Mine is Also Yours to Wear”
When COVID started in 2020, JunHe staff members donated funds to purchase medical supplies and deliver them to hospitals fighting the virus. From January to July 2020, we released 54 legal review articles regarding COVID related matters and organized several pro-bono public lectures on relevant topics, which helped to solve many of the legal problems our clients and other companies faced. We sent more than 100,000 disposable medical masks to our overseas clients and cooperating partners in need. In 2008, after the Wenchuan earthquake, JunHe organized staff members to donate money and materials, and provided legal aid on matters related to post-quake reconstruction.
Achieving Self-growth and Creating an Employee-oriented "New Style Law Firm"
Adhering to a “people-oriented” concept, JunHe has embedded a culture of caring for others in its various systems. Essentially, JunHe strives to provide employees with a harmonious and healthy work environment with an open and frank internal culture that emphasizes mutual assistance. JunHe respects the rights of their employees so that they may achieve a sense of growth and advancement. The success of this is highlighted by the fact that JunHe has received the “ALB China Employer of Choice" award by Asian Legal Business 14 times since 2004.
Encouraging Lawyers to Fulfill their Social Responsibilities
JunHe lawyers have a specific “sense of ownership” and a high degree of social responsibility and the firm has always been involved in various pro-bono legal and social activities. JunHe encourages and supports lawyers to devote themselves to pro-bono legal activities, to further cultivate and deepen their sense of social responsibility and use their professional knowledge to contribute to society.
JunHe’s Public welfare activities:
Provided pro bono legal services to multiple NGOs in China and abroad
Assisted in establishing the First New Citizen School in Chaoyang district to improve the living conditions of migrant workers and their children
Subsidized students at the Second Citizen’s High School in Huangnan county, Tongren county, Qinghai province, and Tibet autonomous region
Organized several donations to Yunnan Baoshan Yi Ethnic Minority Primary School
Established the JunHe Lawyer Talent Scholarship, set up by the Chunlei Project and the Hope Project. This is the first law firm scholarship program established in China
Granted scholarships for underprivileged students in East China University of Political Science and Law
Assisted BGI Group, the world's largest gene-testing and treatment company in establishing the "Critical Care Foundation" to provide HLA matching for children with severe thalassemia
A sponsor of the “Solar System Left-Behind Children Charity Foundation”
Subsidized impoverished youth in Tibetan pastoral areas in the Qinghai-Tibet autonomous region
Supervisor of Qlove Golf Charity Foundation
CHINA LAW & PRACTICE AWARDS
2022 Best ESG Practice Award
2016 PRC Firm of the Year - Pro Bono
CLECSS
2022 CSR, Diversity, Transformation and Economic Empowerment Award
