Legal Clerk Intern at Beijing Zhongwen (Shenzhen) Law Firm (Pro Bono)

The motivation of the internship

My firsthand exposure to the stark realities of labor injustice at the Jingdezhen People's Court fueled a strong desire to transition from a passive observer to an active advocate. While the courtroom provided a crucial macro-level understanding of systemic flaws, I felt an urgent need to engage directly at the frontline, where legal support is most needed. This motivated me to seek a law firm internship in Shenzhen upon my return. I believed that working within a legal practice would allow me to translate my insights into tangible action, equipping me with the practical skills to directly assist vulnerable workers in navigating the very system that often fails them and to contribute more effectively to the pursuit of individual justice.

What I Did

Through online research, I identified Beijing Zhongwen (Shenzhen) Law Firm for its notable work in resolving labor disputes for low-income individuals. I reached out via email and phone, and was fortunate to have my internship request accepted by Ms. Chen Ting, a lawyer in the labor law department. During my time there, I immediately began assimilating practical legal skills: I learned to summarize case features into keywords and became proficient in professional legal research. Gradually, I advanced to mapping logical relationships within evidence chains to assess the alignment between factual claims and supporting evidence. I also observed Ms. Chen's court proceedings, which provided me with firsthand insight into effective litigation strategies and key legal arguments. This immersive experience allowed me to acquire practical knowledge of specific provisions within Chinese Labor Law through the analysis of real-world cases.

What I Achieved and Discovered

My key discovery was that to counter the deceptive tactics of shell companies used in labor outsourcing, it is crucial to identify the legally liable entity hidden behind these fronts. After recognizing this, I discussed the specific case I had encountered in Jingdezhen with Ms. Chen, presenting my analysis. She validated my perspective. Acting on this, I contacted the worker involved in that Jingdezhen case and connected him with the pro bono legal resources available in Shenzhen.

A year later, in 2025, we received the tremendous news that the case had been won. The feeling was indescribable; it was a profound moment of validation, knowing that the practical skills honed during my internship had tangibly converged to secure justice for a vulnerable worker. This experience powerfully confirmed the impact of determined legal advocacy.