2026.06.01
On May 31, 2026, Forbes China, in collaboration with LegalNine, held their inaugural Forbes China Legal Industry Awards. JunHe partner XIAO, Wei was honored with the Legal Industry Pioneer award and partner Janet HUI received the Legal Magnolia Award.
XIAO, Wei: Paving the Way with Vision, Leading with Expertise
Over 37 years, a steadfast commitment has flourished. One of the founding partners of JunHe, Mr. Xiao has witnessed and propelled JunHe's journey from its inception to becoming an industry leader. With industry insight and an unwavering professional conviction, he is an indispensable 'founder' in the professionalization of Chinese lawyers.
Mr. Xiao is a leader in capital markets and corporate mergers and acquisitions. He has demonstrated extraordinary courage and judgment in major transactions and landmark cases, earning widespread acclaim both within and outside the industry. More importantly, he is a guide—since taking the helm as the director of JunHe's management committee in 1993, he has infused systematic and international management concepts into the fabric of local law firms, pioneering the professional governance of large Chinese law firms.
Under Mr. Xiao's leadership, JunHe has established an international operational system and nurtured an organizational culture that integrates professional spirit with human warmth. His endeavors transcend the scope of a single law firm, with the management models and concepts he has pioneered providing a benchmark for the entire industry. Mr. Xiao's 42 year career has been outstanding, not only guiding direction but also laying foundations for systems and shaping culture.
Janet HUI: Resilient and Radiant, Naturally Sharp
Ms. Janet HUI has another kind of strength—unhurried yet capable of breaking barriers and piercing stone. In antitrust, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and foreign investments, she navigates complex international transactions and institutional gaps with unique sensitivity and wisdom, clarifying dilemmas and safeguarding clients at critical moments.
Actively engaged on the international legal stage, Ms. Xu is a regular on the lists of international rating agencies such as Chambers, IFLR100, and Legal 500. She served as co-chair of the International Bar Association (IBA) Antitrust Committee from 2023 to 2024. Ms. Xu believes that the law should have both strength and warmth, dedicating herself to public legal services and providing legal aid alongside her practice. She has been a lecturer on Chinese law for the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) at the University of Hong Kong for over a decade and serves as an honorary advisor to the University of Hong Kong Beijing Alumni Association, continually extending the professional spirit of legal practitioners to broader social value fields.
Ms. Xu does not need armor, as she possesses immense strength; she is not ostentatious, yet her inner light always shines. With wisdom and resilience, she balances strength with softness, and redefines the 'Legal Mulan' of this era—where rationality and warmth intertwine and professionalism and empathy can coexist.
Two Rays of Light, One Belief
Mr. Xiao opens industry pathways with his vision, like a guiding lighthouse, while Ms.Janet HUI bridges legal boundaries with warmth. This honor is a recognition of their individual excellence and a testament to their belief that the law can chart grand visions and simultaneously nurture the human heart.
