ILN-terviews: Scott Guan, Jade & Fountain PRC Lawyers

Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network.

For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Scott Guan of Jade & Fountain PRC Lawyers in Shanghai.

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
An international practice with a focus on cross-border business transactions.

Who would be your typical client?
International companies and entrepreneurs doing business in China and/or with Chinese partners, and Chinese companies and entrepreneurs doing business outside of China and/or with foreign partners.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That I am a devoted transactional lawyer, who is a bi-lingual, bi-legal, and bi-cultural deal maker.

What has been your most challenging case? Why?
To assist foreign clients in understanding and navigating through the legal system and business environment in China.  The fundamentals of business transactions are all similar in different places around the world, but the ways that they are presented and understood can be very different.  A truly effective and efficient legal advisor must be able to thoroughly understand the needs and challenges of their clients and act not only as their legal advisor, but also as their business partner and cultural consultant. 

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
When a deal is closed and a sustainable win-win situation is created.

What do you do when you're not practicing law?
Playing soccer with friends and now with my 5-year-old son as well.

What would surprise people most about you?
My personal experience of growing up with China in a rather dramatic way...China has changed so rapidly over the past 30 years and so have been our lives.  When I was in high school 20 years ago, I was on a boarding program.  All my expenses at the time paid by my parents were RMB70 (US$11 approximately) per month. Now, an ILN conference can easily cost much more for just 3 or 4 days.

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
Visiting ILN member firms and making friends around the world.

What career would you have chosen if you weren't a lawyer?
Part-time professor & freelance literature translator & part-time government think-tank consultant.

If a movie were made out of your life, who would you want to play you?
This person has not been born or made known to me yet.

How would you like to be remembered?
A proud Chinese, where the East meets the West.