BROUGHT TO YOU BY
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Liu Ning 刘宁
Partner, JunHe LLP
君合律师事务所，合伙人
严以律已，勤以行事，和以待人：
专访华东法律大奖年度女性律师、
君合合伙人刘宁律师
今年，凭借精深的专业能力、敏锐的商业嗅觉、高效贴心的服务体验、出色的管理能力，君合律师事务所上海办公室合伙人刘宁律师捧得了2024 ALB中国区域市场法律大奖：华东地区年度女性律师大奖。
实际上，过去几年，因其在投融资法律服务领域建立起的良好口碑，以及对医药医疗、互联网、电信和高科技、投行、化工、零售、奢侈品等产业的深度服务能力，刘宁律师曾多次获评ALB China十五佳女律师。在当下充满挑战的环境中，刘律师与ALB分享了她如何借助精准定位保持优秀业绩、管理一支高效团队的心得，以及“不焦虑”的人生态度。
Q
您专注于投融资及并购领域的法律服务，过去两年融资环境较为挑战，但您依然维持了非常好的业务规模，并继续扩大了客户基础。您是如何做到的？
刘宁律师：十多年前我成为君合合伙人开始独立展业时，就思考过是以专业为导向、还是以客户为导向发展业务的问题。当时思考的结果是：我专注的投融资非诉业务领域已经是一个充分竞争的市场；而君合持续打造全领域服务平台，在市场上已经具有很强的竞争力，特别是在一些相对细分领域，例如数据合规、海关、反不正当竞争等，当时都已有非常优秀的头部团队。因此，从那时起，我就决定围绕客户需求来拓展自己的业务。
以自身从事的投融资及外商常年服务为接口，依托君合的全领域法律平台，我打造起了一支务实、高效、高性价比的服务团队，充分且及时地响应客户的各项需求。我们衡量服务质量的标准，不仅在于是否专精于某个领域，而且在于能否在专精基础之上，提供跨专业领域的一站式复合服务。幸运的是，君合这些年在公司制上的试点从制度上提供了保障；而君合聚集的各领域优秀团队从实力上提供了基础；各个领域的优秀客户则从需求端提供了充分锻炼的机会。
从结果而言，十多年来，我们的业务模式得到了客户的充分信任，客户规模持续扩大。因此，虽然总体而言国内外经济环境有所变化，但基于客户信任的业务模式，我们控制了业务下行的风险，甚至在最近三年，随着客户数量增长，团队业务还保持了良性上升。
Q
除了深耕专业，还需要有一支精干的队伍来支撑业务的发展，您是如何管理和带领律师团队的？
刘宁律师：我们的团队目前在公司并购、PE/VC领域基本已经可以提供“全产业链服务”，无论何种类型公司的并购及投融资业务，团队都可以高质量完成。
我的团队中目前有两位初级合伙人、一位顾问，并按照业务条线把团队分为三个部分，让三位初级管理者各负责一部分业务：一是公司日常事务；二是并购类业务；三是PE/VC投融资业务。这样可以保证每种类型业务在团队里都可以得到高效、快速和专业的处理。
为了响应客户的多样性需求，基于君合的机制，我们还与其他专业合伙人团队建立了稳定且高效的合作关系。基于对君合专业团队的充分了解，我们可以第一时间为客户匹配合适的合伙人及专业人士。鉴于很多专业服务具有高频性，我们甚至和不少合作团队及成员形成了有机整体，客户甚至感觉不到是在和不同团队进行沟通。
Q
您的领导风格是怎样的？
刘宁律师：无论是从君合实习生成长为合伙人，还是从其他平台加盟到君合，我珍视与每一位团队成员一起工作的机会。能够一同共事是种很特别的缘分。我一直提醒自己：不忘初心，遇到问题时多回想自己在律师职业早期的想法和心态。虽然对业务质量的要求非常高，但我在管理上尽可能采取柔性方法。从选人阶段，团队就注重价值观的契合，这是管理团队的基础。
但也应该看到，每个人都有不同的职业路径、人生价值的选择。我们尊重成员的个性化发展：既重视以律所合伙人为职业目标的成员的长期成长需要；也愿意为有更多元化人生选择的成员提供必要的转型帮助。因此，我们和客户之间建立了长期或短期的外派服务机制，为希望转型的同事提供在甲方体验和锻炼的机会。
“聚是一团火，散是满天星”，这句话形容了我们这支团队的现状，也是团队建设的目标。既可“相濡以沫”，也可“相忘于江湖”——但相忘不是忘记，我们往往会在“法律江湖”中再聚，有些同事离开了，反而和我成为了更好的朋友或客户。
Q
面对当下市场环境，您曾向其他女性律师提出“不要焦虑”的建议。怎么理解？您是如何做的？
刘宁律师：物来顺应，未来不迎，当时不杂，既过不恋。作为职业女性，面对事业和生活的各种压力；人至中年，面对为人女、为人母、为人妻的多重身份，焦虑几乎是不可避免的。但焦虑于事无补，甚至是继续前进的障碍。
面对不确定的市场环境，我更希望自己保持“从因上精进，对果上从容”的状态。我们这代律师是非常幸运的，迎着全球化的浪潮成长发展，并做着自己擅长且喜欢的工作。虽然生活和事业上总会有不尽如人意之处，但放下执念、放过自己，云淡风轻时也许就是柳暗花明处。
年轻时我喜欢苏轼的《水调歌头》，但现在独爱《定风波》中那句“回首向来萧瑟处，也无风雨也无晴”。希望大家都能享受生活、享受当下。
Self-Discipline, Diligence, and Harmony:
An Interview with ALB China East China Woman Lawyer of the Year, Liu Ning
This year, Liu Ning, a partner at JunHe's Shanghai office, won the ALB China Regional Law Awards: East China Woman Lawyer of the Year. She earned this recognition thanks to her in-depth legal expertise, keen business acumen, client-focused service, and strong leadership. Liu’s reputation for excellence in legal services—particularly in investment, financing, and M&A—has earned her consistent recognition, including previous placements among ALB China Top 15 Female Lawyers. In an increasingly challenging environment, Liu speaks with ALB about her approach to success, team management, and maintaining a stress-free mindset.
Q
Despite recent challenges in the investment environment, you have not only sustained your business but expanded your client base. How have you achieved this?
Liu Ning: When I became a partner at JunHe over a decade ago, I considered whether to pursue a specialized or client-oriented approach. Since investment and financing services are highly competitive, I decided to build my practice around client needs.
By leveraging JunHe’s comprehensive legal platform, my team and I provide responsive and efficient services that meet various client demands. We measure service quality not just by our technical expertise but by our ability to offer seamless, multidisciplinary services. JunHe’s organizational support, coupled with an array of top-tier teams, has enabled us to create lasting client relationships, which is why our business has grown even amid economic uncertainties.
Q
Effective team management is crucial for growth. How do you manage and lead your team?
Liu: Our team can now provide "full-chain services" in M&A and PE/VC, ensuring high-quality outcomes across various business types. Currently, my team is comprised of two junior partners and a consultant, and it is organized into three main areas: general corporate affairs, M&A, and PE/VC financing. This structure allows us to handle diverse client requests efficiently.
Thanks to JunHe’s collaborative environment, we work seamlessly with other professional teams, allowing us to provide clients with a holistic experience. Many clients feel they’re working with a single, integrated team rather than multiple groups.
Q
How’s your leadership style?
Liu: I value the opportunity to work with each team member, recognizing the unique connection we share. While I maintain high standards, I focus on managing with empathy. From the outset, we prioritize alignment of values, which forms the foundation of our team.
I also respect each individual’s career path and personal goals, providing flexibility and opportunities for those seeking non-traditional routes. We have long- and short-term dispatch arrangements, allowing team members pursuing in-house career goals to gain firsthand experience with clients.
Our team dynamic is best captured by the phrase, “united as a fire, dispersed as stars”—we support each other wholeheartedly but allow each person to pursue their journey. Even when team members move on, many remain close friends or become clients.
Q
You’ve advised female lawyers to “avoid anxiety.” Could you elaborate on this?
Liu: In this profession, it’s common to feel anxious due to the pressures of work and life. Yet anxiety often hinders progress. I prefer to focus on excelling in my efforts and accepting the outcomes calmly.
Our generation of lawyers has been fortunate to thrive in a globalized world, doing work we enjoy. Challenges will always exist, but letting go of undue stress can lead to unexpected clarity. I find comfort in the words of Su Shi: “When I look back at my journey, there was neither rain nor shine.” I hope everyone can find joy in their own path and embrace the present.
