º¬Ðß²ÝÉçÇø

China Business Law Journal is proud to present the inaugural CBLJ In-house Counsel Awards in this issue. For the past 10 years, we have been reporting on the crucial role played by in-house counsel in crafting deals and managing the complex legal structures that underpin the success of their organizations. During this time, the prominence of China-based in-house legal teams has increased markedly, yet the recognition they receive is still not commensurate with the immense contribution they make.

The award project is therefore initiated to meet the strong demand for an independent and impartial assessment of the work undertaken by in-house legal teams. We conducted an extensive survey of our readers in China and beyond, asking them to nominate the teams and individuals that deserve recognition. We received more than 1,000 nominations from private practice lawyers, in-house counsel and senior business executives. After scrutinizing the nominations, we reached out to the shortlisted in-house counsel with a detailed questionnaire about their responsibilities and professional achievements in the past year.

Unlike lawyers in private practice, in-house counsel are required not only to have first-rate legal acumen, but also to fully understand the operation of their companies. We hope these awards will encourage the continued development of in-house legal teams and promote awareness of the tremendous value they bring to their organizations.