Law firm partners stand tall among their peers

Q&A|Peng Xuefeng

Why did you choose to become a lawyer?

I have always believed that the rule of law is something that China will eventually achieve and the legal profession will play a crucial role in building civil society in the country.

What has been the most memorable moment of your professional career?

It is the influential copyright dispute between American company Walt Disney and Beijing Publishing House and Xinhua Bookstore in 1992. Disney sued the Chinese side for illegally using the company's cartoon images. My firm represented the Chinese defendants. The case eventually led to the legal establishment of the intellectual property right protection in China and the signing of the Sino-US agreement on IPR protection in 1996.

Which global lawyer do you admire the most and why?

I admire the United States-based lawyer Alan Dershowitz. His wisdom, his clear and reasonable thinking and his ability to win complex, difficult legal battles, amaze me.

As a member of the upcoming CPPCC, what proposal would you bring to the annual meeting of the top advisory body in March?

I will advocate greater protection of lawyers' rights and interests in China and full recognition of the value of law. The country should also allow more lawyers to participate in political decision-making and consultation. They should have a much bigger voice.