Fiery Lawyer Puts China's Judiciary on Trial

In another incident in 2008, Li stormed out of a Liaoning Province courtroom to protest what he said was an unfair trial for his client, an organized crime suspect.

"Li used to serve in the army and has a very tough character," said Gao Zicheng, Li's defense lawyer and his law firm partner. "His style might be a little problematic, causing trouble for Chongqing (law enforcement). But this shouldn't land him in jail."
 
Media reports in Chongqing painted a negative image of Li, repeatedly referring to a checkered professional record. Some accused Li of overcharging clients while bribing judiciary officials and legal experts.
On December 14, a feature in China Youth Daily claimed Li had accepted a huge, 2.45 million yuan payment from clients. The article was largely based on a news release from Chongqing police. The actual charge was much lower.

Other reports called Li greedy and claimed he often greased judicial palms to help clients dodge punishment. The media also claimed Li was shielded over the years due to close government ties enjoyed by his employer, the Beijing-based law firm Kangda.

Established in 1988, Kangda has 11 branches across China. Its director is Fu Yang, the son of Peng Zhen, a former chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC). Fu used to head the economic law office for the legislature's Office of Legal Affairs. Two Kangda deputy directors are also well-connected: One is the son of a retired supreme court justice, and another is a daughter of a former deputy NPC Standing Committee chairman.

A number of Beijing lawyers interviewed by Caixin said Kangda has typically kept a low profile in legal circles. Li and his unconventional working style have stood out from the rest of the firm's 200 attorneys.

A source close to Chongqing's organized crime task force told Caixin that two important elements played into Li's case – local media and the work of another attorney who defended the crime suspects.

As the crackdown on organized crime began, Chongqing media played up the fact that lawyers from Beijing had swarmed into their city to represent suspects. Li was among the outsiders.

Meanwhile, local officials apparently got nervous during a trial for a suspect defended by lawyer and senior law professor Zhao Changqing. Zhao, an experienced professional, built an excellent defense.

Trouble Signs

Li got involved in the Chongqing legal storm after being contacted by a relative of gangland suspect Gong Gangmo for legal advice in June 2009. Five months later, he agreed to represent Gong and went to Chongqing with other lawyers to defend several suspects accused of organized crime.

Gong's trial was originally slated to begin December 7. But Li won a delay by claiming his client had been tortured by police, and that the prosecution's evidence failed to prove guilt.

But Li was already in trouble. In late November, Chongqing police had notified the Beijing judiciary bureau saying they had audio and visual evidence that Li had tried to persuade Gong to retract testimony. The bureau contacted Kangda and suggesting pulling Li off the case.

When Li met Gong on December 4, four police officers shot video and snapped photos. Smelling something fishy, Li stopped using his mobile phone and changed his lodging several times.