Upholding justice, only then can we give a voice to the vulnerable

—— Interview with Yu Hong, Director of Liaoning Blue Star Law Firm

 

Yu Hong, a graduate of China University of Political Science and Law with a bachelor's degree in law, is a national second-level lawyer. He began his legal career in 1987 and is currently the director of Liaoning Blue Star Law Firm, a member of the Chinese Law Society, an expert lawyer in criminal and civil matters in Liaoning Province, vice president of the Chaoyang City Lawyers Association, a member of the fourth and fifth CPPCC of Lingyuan City, a representative of the sixth People's Congress of Lingyuan City, a standing committee member of the eleventh CPPCC of Chaoyang City, and vice president of the Lingyuan Law Society, as well as a member of the Municipal People's Congress Internal Affairs and Justice Committee.

 

 

From the moment he touched the Constitution and swore in front of the national emblem, Yu Hong undoubtedly committed his life to the sacred profession of law. Holding the "Sword of Justice," he finds it hard to articulate whose interests he is protecting. Lawyers are loyal to the law, and their duty is to ensure that every citizen enjoys dignity under the sun of freedom and protects their own interests. Just as Yu Hong serves as a legal advisor for a real estate company, he has also fought many rights protection lawsuits for citizens and the company. If there were any reluctance or selfishness mixed in, the oath he loudly read back then to be objective and fair would surely keep him awake at night. Today, Yu Hong, who is deeply loved by the people, has proven with facts that throughout his journey in defending the law, he has remained impartial, unafraid of power, and just!

 

Legal education promotion, a bond with the law

 

Although Yu Hong's connection with the law was tortuous, it was also a natural progression. After graduating from high school, he changed many jobs, none of which sparked his interest, or rather, his young heart had not found a place to ignite his passion. The turning point came during a legal education promotion event. In the 1980s, China's legal system was in a state of stagnation, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe it as riddled with holes. Ordinary people did not understand the law, were unaware of it, and could not even talk about how to abide by it. Minor cases that violated legal boundaries occurred frequently, and they urgently needed to grasp some legal knowledge closely related to their lives. In response to this situation, legal education work urgently needed knowledgeable individuals to express their passion. Yu Hong loved reading in his youth and had some knowledge, and he was also quite steady. Coupled with his own love for the law, he became a legal education promoter. Due to his previous lack of understanding of the law, Yu Hong could only learn legal knowledge while educating the public. This practice of integrating knowledge and action allowed Yu Hong's understanding and learning of the law to progress by leaps and bounds. The public's thirst for legal knowledge also deeply moved Yu Hong. Every time he gave a lecture, people gathered around. Through Yu Hong's patient explanations and answers, everyone understood their obligation to support the elderly, learned how to protect themselves in marriage, and understood how to safeguard their legal rights in disputes. Seeing the smiles on people's faces as they gained knowledge during this process encouraged Yu Hong greatly. The local government also recognized Yu Hong's outstanding achievements, which gave him even more confidence in the future as he progressed together with everyone.

 

Next, having determined to pursue a legal career, Yu Hong enrolled in the China National Lawyer Correspondence Center for systematic legal study. He then passed the self-study examination and was admitted to a legal vocational school. He did not stop pursuing his goals and went on to enroll in the bachelor's program at China University of Political Science and Law. Interest is the best teacher, and it was indeed interest that gave Yu Hong the perseverance to continue. Studying law is certainly tedious and difficult, but legal work is not easy either. In 1987, Yu Hong officially stepped onto the lawyer's path. As a newcomer, he quickly discovered the challenges of this job. Due to his young age and lack of experience, many clients were reluctant to choose Yu Hong as their defender, which is understandable. Litigation is no small matter, and no one wants to entrust their most valued issues to an "unknown quantity"—after all, no one is willing to take the risk of failure. In addition to the distrust from clients, the judicial department also showed indifference to the young Yu Hong. The difficulties he encountered in the early stages of his work did not intimidate him. Young and vigorous, he was determined to achieve results and give a resounding response to those who underestimated him. He diligently focused on foundational work, especially prioritizing his previous legal education promotion work. In 1989, due to his outstanding performance, Yu Hong was awarded the title of National Advanced Individual in Legal Education Promotion by the Central Propaganda Department and the Ministry of Justice, along with a third-class merit medal. Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared. His long-term, steady work ability was finally recognized by everyone, and the successful cases he represented made Yu Hong the first choice for many.

 

 

The accumulation of cases deepened Yu Hong's understanding of the law and gave him new goals in the legal affairs he engaged in. In 1992, Yu Hong contacted several fellow lawyers and, with the approval of the Liaoning Provincial Department of Justice, established Linghe Law Firm. Having stepped out of the system, Yu Hong hoped to have more freedom in his legal endeavors. In 1995, Linghe Law Firm was renamed Blue Star Law Firm. Since its establishment, the law firm has made significant breakthroughs in criminal defense, civil and commercial agency, long-term legal consulting, and non-litigation fields, especially in administrative litigation, where it is known for safeguarding the legal rights of vulnerable groups, unafraid of power, speaking out fairly, and daring to confront challenges, earning widespread praise from society. Yu Hong has also painted a clear and magnificent legal picture on his own "blue star map."

 

Embracing a broader perspective, resolving disputes

 

From an individual's professional career, we can see his professional character and temperament. In tracing Yu Hong's thirty-year career, the image of a lawyer who is unafraid of power and advocates for the people becomes increasingly clear. Moreover, in handling specific matters, Yu Hong possesses an excellent overall perspective, maintaining social stability and making serious conflicts disappear into thin air is his "specialty."

 

In July 2010, drought caused a water supply crisis in Lingyuan City. To address the water supply issue, the government introduced a plan to drill wells for water supply in rural areas. However, during the implementation phase, villagers believed that their water resources were being taken from their land, infringing on their interests, and thus firmly opposed the drilling. Subsequently, the government's handling of the issue was inadequate, deploying police for intervention, which escalated the conflict, ultimately leading to a standoff between over three thousand citizens and the police, with varying degrees of conflict resulting in over forty injuries and a severely negative impact.

 

Yu Hong was temporarily assigned to the scene for mediation. Upon arrival, thousands of people were armed with various farming tools, unwilling to yield. The atmosphere was so tense that a single match could ignite it. Most people would have been intimidated by such a scene, but Yu Hong came with legal reasoning and had his confidence. Upon arriving at the scene, Yu Hong noticed a woman lying on the ground, with clear footprints on her white T-shirt, indicating she was seriously injured. He asked why she wasn't sent to the hospital, and the government replied that they were afraid the villagers would play tricks. Seeing the staff handle the situation this way made Yu Hong anxious and angry, so he quickly called 120 to send the injured person to the hospital. This action eased the villagers' emotions, and Yu Hong seized the opportunity to propose that the villagers send representatives to negotiate with the government. Since the previous representatives had been detained by the police, no one dared to be the "first bird" at that moment. Yu Hong, feeling frustrated, assured everyone that he would take full responsibility for their personal safety and educated them on the basic legal knowledge that land and water resources belong to the state, helping the villagers gain a clear understanding of the reasonable scope of their rights.

 

Later, the villagers' representatives sent out negotiated with the relevant government personnel, ultimately reaching a satisfactory conclusion for both sides. Yu Hong also fought for the rightful interests of the villagers. Because of his brave actions and reasonable handling of conflicts, Yu Hong was recognized as a model figure in Lingyuan City that year.

 

 

There was also an incident involving a Hui people's parade in Huludao. The incident began when a Hui person used inappropriate language to provoke others online, and when they met, they ended up fighting due to deception. During detention, the police violated the dietary customs of the Hui friends, which led to strong dissatisfaction among the local Hui community, who demanded a million yuan in compensation. After being refused, they contacted nearly five thousand Hui people from Ningxia to prepare for a local protest. Before the parade, a leader approached Yu Hong to inquire about its feasibility. Upon hearing this, Yu Hong felt the situation was a bit tricky and quickly advised against it, stating that a parade not approved by the government would be illegal, especially one of such a large scale. Setting aside the negative impact, their demands would not be met; on the contrary, it could cause greater harm to themselves. If the situation escalated, the origin of the incident would surely be exaggerated, which would damage everyone's national pride. The leader, aware of the disgraceful origin, recognized Yu Hong's advice as rational and thus agreed to let Yu Hong act as a defense lawyer, suing the police for their improper actions through formal channels, ultimately receiving compensation.

 

As the ancients said, a three-inch tongue can resist a million troops. Yu Hong acted like a chivalrous hero, standing in front of the crowd, using peaceful means, and resolving a massive conflict with his objectivity and empathy. Imagine if Yu Hong had not intervened in time; the social impact, ethnic conflicts, and even international public opinion pressure resulting from this parade would have been unbearable.

 

Speaking for the people, impartial and selfless.

 

Yu Hong is known for his straightforwardness. To solve the problems of the parties involved, he is unafraid to stand against public authority. Regardless of the obstacles and pressures he faces, he remains resolute, aiming to align public power and private rights throughout his life. A friend of Yu Hong, though harsh in his evaluation, objectively stated that over the years, Yu Hong has offended many useful people while maintaining some useless ones. Yu Hong responded that lawyers must speak for the vulnerable groups, as they are the ones who need lawyers the most. The law is their weapon against unreasonable public power, and lawyers are their steadfast guardians.

 

Yu Hong speaks out for ordinary people and is respected by all. He was elected as a representative to provide advice to the government. At hearings on government regulations, Yu Hong takes careful notes and thoughtfully considers their rationality, offering his rational suggestions based on actual circumstances. For instance, during a policy hearing on taxi licenses, when high fees were proposed, Yu Hong was the first to voice his dissent. He argued that to better manage the issue of illegal taxis, the entry threshold must be lowered, which would benefit both the city's image and public safety. With Yu Hong leading the way, more representatives felt encouraged to express their true opinions, ultimately leading to modifications in taxi-related policies and significantly lowering the entry barriers. Although this harmed the interests of certain departments, it provided more reemployment opportunities for laid-off workers and greatly improved the situation with illegal taxis.

 

 

After thirty years in the profession, Yu Hong has earned numerous honors through his responsible professionalism: in 1988, he was awarded as an advanced individual by the Chaoyang Municipal Government; in 2003, he was recognized as one of the top ten lawyers in Chaoyang by the Chaoyang Judicial Bureau; in March 2008, he was again named one of the top ten lawyers in Chaoyang; in January 2009, he was recognized as one of the top ten outstanding judicial administrative workers by the Chaoyang Political and Legal Committee. In 2011, he was named an excellent lawyer in Chaoyang, and in 2014, the Liaoning Blue Star Law Firm was selected as an excellent law firm in Liaoning Province by the provincial department. In January 2016, Yu Hong was named one of the top ten outstanding honest lawyers in China for 2015 by the People's Daily's "People's Livelihood Weekly" and CCTV's "Discovery Journey," while the Liaoning Blue Star Law Firm was recognized as the most promising new law firm in China. In 2017, Yu Hong was rated as a second-level lawyer. Faced with numerous honors, Yu Hong remains calm, stating that honors represent the past and only indicate that the direction taken was correct; the journey ahead is determined by today and tomorrow.

 

 

Many people often praise Yu Hong for his high efficiency in handling cases. Yu Hong humorously self-deprecates, saying he is merely a skilled worker in law. The work of a lawyer relies on continuous learning and experience, and he still maintains the habit of reading. However, now as a well-known lawyer, Yu Hong handles over a hundred cases a year, averaging one every two to three days, leaving him with no leisure time. Although he can no longer read as thoroughly as before due to his busy schedule, he has a good memory and retains impressions of the books he has skimmed, making it easier to reference them when needed.

 

When local legislation is being considered in Chaoyang City, Yu Hong is often the first person thought of, and he is invited to serve as a legislative consulting expert, reflecting the deep trust in his understanding of the law. For example, during the formulation of regulations for the restoration of mining vegetation, Yu Hong emphasized that once the legislative process is established, it is difficult to amend, so the legal language must be precise, and considerations must be comprehensive. Regulations carry a seriousness that should not be changed lightly. He noted that when setting fines, the regulations were overly precise, which is not acceptable; laws should contain vague language, allowing for flexible handling based on circumstances. After Yu Hong's revisions and edits, the regulations became clear and legally sound, allowing for their eventual promulgation and implementation.Clear and legally accurate, the final regulations were promulgated and implemented.

 

Eagerly looking forward to a shared legal system.

 

As a lawyer, serving society means that anyone who comes to the door is placing their trust in the lawyer, and it is essential to diligently protect their rights; this is the survival rule for lawyers. Sometimes, the client may not necessarily be a good person in the traditional sense, but lawyers must respond with the most professional attitude. Yu Hong stated that lawyers do not speak for bad people but are afraid of wronging a good person; it is the lawyer's duty to ensure that every citizen lives with dignity.

 

Yu Hong said that with law comes justice, and with justice comes civilization. The civilization of society is based on legal construction, and lawyers, as the representatives of the law, have become the bottom line of social conscience. Due to the "80/20 principle" of interest and ability distribution (where 20% of people control 80% of the income and resources in the industry), some lawyers may lose their bottom line and sell their conscience. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, some people boasted that they could guarantee the release of prisoners for 50,000 yuan, which deeply shocked the young Yu Hong at the time. He vowed to stay far away from the red line, not seeking to be a model in the industry, but only to find inner peace.

 

In litigation, some rejoice while others grieve; the losing side inevitably harbors resentment towards the winning lawyer. One of Yu Hong's most memorable experiences was one night when a motorcycle suddenly rushed in front of him as he was walking alone. Yu Hong recognized the rider as a criminal he had sent to prison a year and a half ago, who was clearly looking for an opportunity for revenge. To the surprise of that person, Yu Hong showed no signs of panic, staring directly at him. From Yu Hong's eyes, he seemed to see authority and righteousness, and without saying a word, he turned and left. Afterward, Yu Hong said that what gave him courage was his sense of justice and fairness; he always acted according to the law and reason, and this confidence is something that petty individuals cannot imitate.

 

 

Today, Yu Hong is dedicated to building a team of lawyers. He hopes to leverage the internet to create a platform for lawyers to share knowledge and experience, aiming to make the lawyer community in our country more "elite," improving their ethical and professional standards, and contributing to the advancement of our legal system. In addition, Yu Hong advocates for the reform of the lawyer system. He proposes that in the future, the costs of litigation should be borne by the losing party, which not only raises the standards for lawyers, allowing excellent lawyers to benefit, but also increases the cost of crime for the offending party. In the interview, Yu Hong also mentioned advice for young lawyers, which is actually a true reflection of himself. "Be a conscientious legal worker, have your own bottom line, do not create wrongful convictions, think about society with your true thoughts, give a voice to vulnerable groups, contribute to social progress, and strive for the development of social civilization!" (Written by Hu Ying)