文 | 陈彦蓉
By Yanrong Chen
写这篇文章时，我一直在回想过去的五年，脑海里浮现的最多关键词是“感激”。这五年里，我遇到了很好的职业引路人，给我很多成长的机会和对后辈的包容与提携；我遇到了很好的职场伙伴，亦师亦友；我也遇到了很好的前辈们和同伴们。依托律所和团队完善的培养平台，我得以不断汲取养分、突破自我；而客户交付的信任，更是一路支撑我走下去的力量。所以虽然我不是因为早有规划而成为律师的，但这一路上不同的阶段，都很幸运有同行的人，和我一起披荆斩棘走到了这里。
As I write this article, I keep reflecting on the past five years, and the word that echoes most in my mind is gratitude. Over these years, I have met excellent mentors who granted me abundant opportunities to grow, alongside tolerance and guidance for junior staff. I have also found wonderful colleagues who are both teachers and friends, as well as a cohort of supportive seniors and peers. Backed by the comprehensive training platform built by the firm and team, I continuously absorb knowledge and push past my limits. The trust entrusted by clients has been the driving force carrying me forward all the way. Though I did not embark on a legal career out of a long-set life plan, I was fortunate to walk hand in hand with companions through every stage, navigating countless obstacles to reach where I stand today.
我的诉讼律师启蒙课
还记得是2021年11月，我作为实习生加入了团队。入职之初便参与到一起影响力重大的知识产权诉讼案件中，案件证据体量庞大（仅单方证据就达到1TB的量级），涉及诸多法律前沿问题，法律适用与案件走向都充满不确定性。
那段日子，为了挖掘更多对我方有利的证据与观点，我们白天分头查看案件材料，晚上开会分享白天的新发现，一起头脑风暴，并定期与合伙人讨论案件的疑难问题和风险应对策略，甚至上下班路上也在时刻关注与案件有关的信息，如果发现有利的观点与案例，就会第一时间分享。那时候，尽管因为证据量级带来了极为繁重的证据梳理和组织工作，但每天都有新发现和新思路，让我充分感受到大家一起全力以赴，只为了把案件办好是什么状态。这是我入职的第一课，也是我入职以来第一缕火花燃起的时刻。
My First Lesson as a Litigator
I still remember joining the team as an intern in November 2021. Right from the start, I was assigned to a high-profile intellectual property litigation case. The volume of evidence was immense—one party’s materials alone amounted to 1 terabyte—covering many cutting-edge legal issues with huge uncertainty over statutory interpretation and case outcomes.
During that period, we split up to review case materials by day to dig up more favorable evidence and legal arguments for our side. Every evening, we held meetings to share new discoveries, brainstorm collectively, and regularly discuss tricky legal hurdles and risk response strategies with partners. Even during commutes, we kept an eye out for relevant legal information, immediately sharing any beneficial precedents or viewpoints we found. Despite the grueling workload of sorting and organizing massive volumes of evidence, every day brought fresh insights and new lines of argument. This experience fully showed me what it means for a team to pour every ounce of effort into delivering a strong case. It was my first lesson at the firm, and the very first moment a spark ignited within me.
关关难过，但我们关关过
五年时光，我经历了很多个“第一次”：第一次主办案件、第一次庭上主陈述、第一次主笔法律意见、第一次得到法官和客户认可等。许多“第一次”的新鲜感和获得感让我对自己的成长感到欣喜，也对律师肩上的责任感和使命感有了更多的感受和体会。但成长的路，不会一帆风顺，一定伴随着泥泞、砂砾和坚石。
坚持做正确的事
在入职初期，我们代理了一件最高人民法院的二审案件，我们做了很多准备，一起高效战斗从而顺利度过了一些惊心动魄的时刻，案件也成功争取到了难得的二次庭审机会。我们一度以为案件有改判的可能，但很可惜，在收到二审判决时，我才领会到什么叫作“案件不可控”“诉讼结果的不确定”，这个案件也成为了我的“意难平”。尽管案件结果不如人意，但回望全程，那些因为当事人遭遇而鼻酸、落泪的时刻、那些互帮互助一起度过难关的时刻、那些不计成本决心要战斗到底的时刻，在我的记忆中，都成为火花燃起的时刻。
诉讼律师的日常总是在案件评估、起草文件、开庭中循环往复，久而久之很容易让人陷入一种比较机械化的状态。看多了矛盾纠葛、人间难处，人也难免心生倦怠。但总有一些瞬间，像火星子溅进心里，提醒我“不能麻木”。还有一些时候，我们会遇到对庭律师的诉讼技巧博弈，甚至出现言语攻击的情况，每每面对如此，难免心生无奈。但看到这些，我反而更加明确了自己的职业底线。合伙人也经常会和我们说，要坚持做正确的事，尽管可能会有很多不理解，但能够为这个行业或者这个生态提供一些细微影响，至少我们所在之处能够是一个相对良好的环境，也不枉大家的心血和付出。
第一次独自穿越云层
入职的第二年，我开始逐渐从过去的辅庭角色转变为主办案件的角色，也迎来了我的第一次开庭主陈述案件。案件结果直接牵动客户多项核心权益，外界压力与案件难度双重叠加。彼时的我，如同骤然直面风雨，独自穿越云层一般，内心满是忐忑。但好在每次遇到困难的时候，合伙人总是坚定地站在我们这一边，很少给我们施加额外的压力，团队伙伴也会主动关心和帮助我。
那时候我非常恳切地希望案件顺利推进并能有好的结果，于是凭着过去辅庭的经验努力准备这个案件，但因为案件的重要性、不确定性以及客户焦虑的心情，让我感受到一种类似于被狠狠注视着的急切和紧迫感。为了让自己不困在案件之外的压力中，我开始选择听励志歌曲作为案件工作的背景音乐。那时候我经常循环播放的一首歌，里面有句歌词是“祈祷奇迹，其实不如无尽的练习”，给予我很大安慰，让我能抗住压力沉下心反复打磨庭审文稿、演练发言逻辑，一遍遍梳理证据与质证思路。在庭审结束之后，旁听庭审的客户给合伙人发去消息，对庭审的表现表达了认可，我提着的心也终于放了下来。这个案件最终也取得了很好的结果，案件一审、二审的推进节奏也比较顺畅，更助力客户后续系列案件全面胜诉。这是我第一次主办的案件，在之后的很多时刻，这种能够帮助客户解决疑难问题的感受也时常支撑着我，要做更多有意义的事情。
那些spark迸发的时刻
在团队的五年里，我和团队伙伴一起处理了很多个不同类型的案件。有一些案件会有很新奇的体验，比如在一个案件中我拿到某明星专门录制的第一手录音，是对方的诉讼证据；在更多案件中，我们像是一个侦探，需要充分发挥想象力去发现新的事实，还需要伪装后购买侵权产品，甚至开拓了跑腿小哥代买、代拍途径，大家一个个都是取证小能手，也经常一起“新型举铁”。
（团队日常——“新型举铁”）
回想起来，特别让我难以忘记的是，在很多个头脑风暴的会议中，大家畅所欲言的过程中冒出来很多灵感，经常会让我感叹“哇！原来还可以这样”。不少案件从常规法律视角分析并不占优，但换个视角，这个案件好像就有了可以争取的空间和希望。印象比较深刻的是一个商业诋毁案件，初步查看案件材料可能基本面不是特别好，但是深入查看案件事实，却发现客观上有很多成因，这个后果并非仅因当事人行为造成。因此如何归因、是否当然由当事人承担不利后果仍值得商榷。为了更好地理解和认识案件的本质，我们有幸在法律领域之外还邀请到传播学领域的教授就案件争议焦点问题进行研讨，各位教授从不同的角度分享他们对于案件事实和争议问题的理解，给我们提供了很多值得一试的视角。网络迷因文化、饭圈文化、指向性判断标准、正当商业言论的边界等，都是案件中值得探究的问题。这场专家论证过程中，跨领域的观点交锋、多元视角的思路启发，为案件注入了很多力量，我非常珍惜这些时刻。幸运的是，团队始终愿意为年轻人搭建学习平台，让我们得以接触业内专家、拓宽思维边界。办案之外，我们还会输出专业文章、举办研讨会，与高校合作开设实务课程，与学生们交流的时候我也能有一些启发和收获。我始终珍惜每一次灵感迸发的瞬间，也始终对新知、对专业保持好奇。
同行才能走得远
五年来，团队主攻各类疑难复杂案件，常需要在重重不确定中探寻答案。所以很多时候，我感觉我们属于逆流而上的一群人，在困难模式下还要持续磨砺自己专业的利刃。为了将案件办好，我们付出了很多时间和精力，放弃了很多个周末和假期，甚至有好几个月一直连续保持着连轴转、高强度和四处出差开庭的工作状态。
（出差途中看到的晚霞）
不知不觉中，我们一起处理了很多件高难度案件，一起经历了很多个高挑战性的难关，也一起拿下了很多个胜诉判决和一些有影响力的案件。也许正是多个高强度案件的锻炼和磨砺，我们专业上有了很快速的提升，案件处理经验也更为丰富，处理突发事件的能力也进一步提升。同时，在一起度过多个难关之后，我们之间也沉淀出无需多言的默契与信任。
过往经手的诸多案件里，一起商业秘密案件令我印象深刻。团队通力协作，收集组织了近万页的证据材料，并进一步形成梳理文件，倾注了我们很多的心力甚至情感。有好几个开庭前的周末，我都在所里加班准备，有一个周末实在觉得有点辛苦了，就在律所的楼下走了一圈又一圈，吹了吹傍晚的风，好像又重新获得了力量。我们始终怀揣同一个目标：将案件主张与核心观点清晰、完整地传递给合议庭，争取得到三位资深法官的认可与采纳。为此，我们反复打磨优化每一份文书，力求严谨周全。幸运的是，我们遇到了非常专业严谨、认真负责的法官前辈。在案件办理的过程中，我也学到了许多宝贵的实务经验。而我们精心准备的材料得到了法官前辈的肯定，也给了我莫大的鼓励和信心。
去年六月更是迎来集中开庭期，三周内庭审不断，导致我们一直在连轴作业。这种状态持续到六月下旬的时候，团队的大家都处于非常疲惫的战损版状态，但还有一个证据量级极大的案件开庭安排在六月底。当时的我有些挫败，这种挫败不是工作强度的绝对量级，而是长时间被手上的事情推着走，我似乎有些控制不了抓不住，人作为主体的状态反而很被动。但在又一个开庭前加班的晚上，我路过会议室，发现小朋友们自发地聚在一起为这个即将开庭的案件持续战斗着，我当时特别感动，也让我暗暗下定决心，不能泄气，不能辜负大家的努力。正是小朋友们给力的辅庭工作，开庭伙伴的默契配合，让案件最终也得到了很好的结果。大家在处理高强度案件的经验和默契，也让我们有了更多的底气和信心，并拿下一个又一个高难度案件。
我时常感叹，对专业有敬畏和坚持，气质和性格都如此像的人竟然神奇地汇聚在了一起，正是有大家一起同行，我们才得以度过很多个难关，并有了背靠背的信任和高度协作的默契。好多个看上去不可能完成的任务，正是因为大家的战斗默契和为了把案件办好的决心才得以顺利完成。
Every Hurdle Seems Daunting, Yet We Clear Them One by One
Five years have brought countless “firsts”: leading a case independently, delivering opening submissions in court, drafting legal memoranda as the primary author, and earning recognition from judges and clients alike. The novelty and sense of achievement accompanying these milestones filled me with joy over my progress, and deepened my understanding of the responsibility and mission borne by litigators. Still, the path of growth is never smooth—it is inevitably lined with mud, grit and sharp stones.
Staying Committed to Doing What Is Right
Early in my career, we represented a second-instance appeal before the Supreme People’s Court. We prepared exhaustively and collaborated efficiently to navigate several heart-stopping twists, ultimately securing a rare second hearing for the matter. We once held hope that the judgment might be reversed, yet the final ruling fell short of our expectations. It was then that I truly grasped the inherent unpredictability of litigation outcomes, and this case remains an unfulfilled regret to this day. Even so, all the memories tied to this matter have become glowing sparks: the moments my heart ached and my eyes welled up for the client’s plight, the times we supported each other through crises, and our unwavering resolve to fight for justice no matter the cost.
A litigator’s daily routine cycles endlessly between case assessments, drafting legal documents and court appearances, which can easily slip into mechanical repetition over time. Constant exposure to conflicts and personal hardships also risks breeding burnout. Yet certain fleeting moments strike like tiny sparks to remind me not to grow desensitized. At other times, we face tactical sparring with opposing counsel, even outright verbal attacks, which can leave me feeling helpless. These encounters, however, have only solidified my professional bottom line. Partners often remind us to stick to what is legally and ethically correct. Even if we face misunderstanding, our work can exert subtle positive influence on the industry and legal ecosystem—creating a fairer environment within our sphere makes all our hard work worthwhile.
Flying Through the Clouds Alone for the First Time
In my second year at the firm, I gradually shifted from a supporting court counsel to a lead case handler, and took charge of my first full oral submission at trial. The ruling would directly impact multiple core interests of the client, compounded by heavy external pressure and high case complexity. I felt as though I had suddenly been thrust into a storm, flying through dense clouds alone, overcome with anxiety. Fortunately, partners always stood firmly behind us amid difficulties, rarely adding extra pressure, and teammates readily offered care and assistance.
I was eager to push the case forward smoothly and secure a favorable result, drawing on my prior experience as supporting counsel to prepare thoroughly. Still, the gravity of the matter, its uncertain trajectory, and the client’s anxious state weighed heavily on me, leaving me tense and watched at every turn. To block out external stress, I turned to motivational music as background noise while working. One song I played on repeat contained the lyric: “Praying for miracles pales in comparison to endless practice.” It comforted me greatly, enabling me to steady my mind, revise hearing scripts repeatedly, rehearse oral logic, and comb through evidence and cross-examination frameworks over and over. After the trial concluded, the observing client messaged the partner to praise my courtroom presentation, lifting a huge weight off my shoulders. The case ultimately yielded an excellent result, with smooth proceedings at both first and second instance, and paved the way for full victories in the client’s subsequent connected cases. This was the first matter I led independently, and the fulfillment of resolving complex issues for clients has continued to motivate me to pursue more meaningful work ever since.
Moments Bursting With Sparks
Over five years on the team, I have handled a wide array of disputes alongside my colleagues. Some matters brought uniquely novel experiences: in one case, I obtained original audio recordings specially recorded by a celebrity, submitted as evidence by the opposing side. More often, we operate like detectives, relying on creative thinking to uncover hidden facts. We even conducted covert purchases of infringing goods, developing unconventional methods such as hiring delivery riders to buy and photograph products on our behalf. Every team member is adept at evidence collection, and our group “heavy lifting” sessions sorting materials have become a shared inside joke.
Looking back, my favorite memories stem from our brainstorming meetings, where free-flowing discussion sparked countless creative insights that left me thinking, “I never considered that approach.” Many cases appear unfavorable when analyzed through standard legal lenses, yet a shift in perspective unlocks viable avenues to advocate for our client’s position. One memorable commercial disparagement case initially seemed weak on its surface, yet deep factual review revealed multiple contributing factors, proving the adverse outcome could not be solely attributed to our client. Questions of liability allocation and whether the client ought to bear full adverse consequences remained open for debate. To fully unpack the core of the dispute, we invited communications scholars to join expert consultations alongside legal professionals. The professors shared distinct interpretations of the factual background and disputed issues, offering fresh actionable angles covering internet meme culture, fandom dynamics, targeted judgment standards, and the boundaries of legitimate commercial speech. Clashing cross-disciplinary viewpoints and diverse analytical frameworks injected powerful momentum into our case strategy, and I cherish these opportunities deeply. The team consistently builds learning platforms for junior lawyers to engage industry experts and broaden our thinking. Beyond casework, we publish professional articles, host seminars, and collaborate with universities on practical legal courses. Discussions with students also bring new inspiration to my own practice. I treasure every flash of creative insight, and maintain constant curiosity toward new knowledge and legal expertise.
Only Together Can We Journey Far
Our team specializes in intricate, high-stakes disputes that demand seeking clarity amid overwhelming uncertainty. Much of the time, it feels as though we are swimming against the current, sharpening our professional tools amid relentless challenges. To deliver strong representation, we sacrifice countless weekends and holidays, enduring months of back-to-back overtime, heavy workloads and constant travel for court hearings across cities.
Over time, we have collectively resolved dozens of highly complex disputes, navigated countless severe challenges, and secured numerous favorable judgments and landmark rulings. Intensive work on these tough cases accelerated our professional growth, enriched our practical experience, and strengthened our ability to respond to unexpected developments. Having weathered crises side by side, we have built unspoken trust and seamless coordination within the team.
Among all past cases, a trade secret dispute stands out most vividly. The whole team collaborated to gather and organize nearly ten thousand pages of evidentiary materials, compiling refined analytical summaries that demanded immense time and emotional investment. Many weekends before trial were spent working overtime at the office. Once, overwhelmed by fatigue, I paced the streets downstairs of the firm for hours, breathing in the evening breeze until I regained my resolve. We shared a unified goal: to clearly and comprehensively present our legal claims and core arguments to the panel of judges and win their endorsement. To this end, we revised every document endlessly to ensure rigor and thoroughness. We were fortunate to work with meticulous, dedicated judges from whom I learned invaluable practical lessons. Their positive feedback on our carefully prepared materials also granted me tremendous encouragement and confidence.
Last June brought a concentrated stretch of court hearings with nonstop trials over three weeks, leaving the whole team worn thin by late June—yet another evidence-heavy case was scheduled for trial at month’s end. I felt defeated not purely from the volume of work, but from being swept along by endless tasks with little sense of control, rendered passive amid the workload. One night of overtime before the upcoming trial, I passed the meeting room and saw junior associates voluntarily gathering to prepare tirelessly for the hearing. I was deeply moved, resolving not to falter or waste the team’s collective hard work. Thanks to the thorough supporting work of junior colleagues and seamless coordination with co-counsel at trial, the case concluded with an outstanding result. Our accumulated experience handling high-pressure matters and instinctive teamwork gave us greater confidence to conquer one complex dispute after another.
I often marvel at how a group of people with identical reverence for the law, consistent dedication to professional standards and aligned personalities found each other. Only by walking this path together have we overcome countless obstacles, bound by unwavering mutual trust and seamless collaboration. Many seemingly impossible tasks were accomplished solely through our united fighting spirit and shared commitment to winning justice for clients.
被关心和被惦记都是礼物
过去五年里，我和伙伴一起经历了团队发展的多个阶段，从天同到汇仲，身边始终是一群温暖善良的伙伴。当我还是实习生的时候，合伙人和带教律师们会很认真倾听我的想法和观点，尽管这些想法和观点并不成熟，但团队一直给小朋友们提供包容、尊重、有温度的良好职场氛围。我的带教姐姐（现在已经是我的好朋姐）在我遇到一些困难的时候，给予了我很多安慰和建议，也让我有了直面困难的勇气。所以当我也开始需要带小朋友的时候，我学着合伙人和带教律师的样子，将他们对我的包容和耐心也同样传递到小朋友身上。
一路走来，我格外感念并肩成长的同伴。有一起经历大大小小困难、南征北战的朋友；有因为我生病掉链子，二话不说立刻补位确保案件顺利推进的朋友；有坐在地上填写邮单，一人打包案件材料，另一人负责拖住快递小哥，从而顺利完成大量案件材料邮寄的朋友；有一起在会议室准备开庭材料，将材料一点点分好，并用胶棒细致粘贴好确保可视化呈现效果的朋友；有一起抗住对方代理律师无情攻击的朋友。即便有些朋友离开团队奔赴新的岗位，但也一直和我们保持着联系，给我们分享他们的成长。看着他们在不同的职场逐渐成长为独当一面的大人，我们也有一种为他们感到自豪的欣慰感。
（团队小伙伴为了让收到大量材料的人心情能好一些，特意打了蝴蝶结）
诉讼律师常年身处高压、繁杂的工作环境中，在这种状态下，每个人其实都有些自顾不暇，但我们好像总会为对方多考虑一些，多照顾彼此一些，也会经常为彼此加油打气。而照顾他人、看见他人，并不是每个人都会有的心力，所以能够有这种彼此陪伴、照顾和一起成长的默契和感情，是非常幸运的礼物。团队合伙人也会很用心关注每一位成员的成长与情绪，在很多场合都给我们提供往前站的机会。律所和团队还会定期组织学习和团建活动，大家一起为彼此庆祝生日，让小伙伴们不会只感受到工作上的辛苦，还有彼此关心、惦记的温情。每个平常的日子，也因帧帧瞬间而变得丰盈。
那些火花燃起的时刻，不止于案件胜诉的喜悦，更是重压之下的坚守、迷雾之中的笃定、交流探讨里的灵感、伙伴同行相伴的温情。愿未来我们依然拥有很多个火花燃起的时刻，在专业的道路上，肆意生长，生机勃勃。
Care and Thoughtfulness Are Precious Gifts
Over the past five years, I have witnessed multiple stages of the team’s evolution, from our days at Tiantong to our current home at Hui Zhong, surrounded by warm, kind colleagues all along. When I was still an intern, partners and supervising lawyers patiently listened to my immature ideas. The team fosters an inclusive, respectful and supportive workplace for junior staff. My supervising attorney—now one of my closest friends—offered endless comfort and guidance during my hardships, empowering me to face difficulties head-on. Now that I also mentor new associates, I strive to pass on the same tolerance and patience my mentors extended to me.
I hold deep gratitude for the peers growing alongside me: friends who fought through struggles and traveled nationwide with me; those who immediately stepped in to cover my responsibilities when illness left me unable to work, guaranteeing unbroken case progress; teammates who knelt on the floor filling courier forms, one sorting exhibits while the other stalled delivery staff to ship thousands of case documents efficiently; colleagues who sat together in meeting rooms sorting exhibits and gluing labels meticulously to maximize visual clarity for the tribunal; partners who stood united against relentless attacks from opposing counsel. Even former teammates who moved to new roles remain in close contact, sharing updates on their professional development. Watching them mature into independent practitioners fills me with genuine pride.
Litigation practice entails constant high stress and chaotic workflows, leaving most people barely enough bandwidth to manage their own workloads. Yet our team consistently goes out of our way to look out for and support one another, regularly offering encouragement. Not everyone possesses the energy to care for their colleagues amid heavy work, so I count myself incredibly lucky to share this bond of companionship, support and mutual growth. Team partners pay close attention to every member’s progress and emotional wellbeing, creating frequent opportunities for junior lawyers to take the lead in client matters and court appearances. The firm and team also organize regular training and team-building events, hosting birthday celebrations so we feel more than just the strain of work—we also experience the warmth of being cared for and remembered. Every ordinary day becomes rich and meaningful thanks to these small, precious moments.
The sparks that ignite along this journey are not limited to the joy of favorable judgments. They also represent perseverance under immense pressure, unshakable certainty amid confusion, creative insights born from open discussion, and the gentle warmth of walking alongside trusted partners. May countless more sparks light our path in the years ahead, as we flourish freely and vibrantly along our professional journey.
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