On April 30, 2026, the 3rd Chinese American Lawyers Forum (CALF) was held in Seattle, Washington. More than 200 Chinese American lawyers from across the United States gathered for in-depth discussions on cross-border legal services and the development of the Chinese American legal community. Dolly (Xinyu) Hu attended the forum on behalf of Beijing Dongwei (Shenzhen) Law Firm.
This year’s forum featured a rich and forward-looking agenda, covering a wide range of legal issues with both practical relevance and international perspective. Beyond substantive legal discussion, the conference also created a meaningful platform for dialogue, visibility, and long-term collaboration within the Chinese American legal community.
Topics discussed throughout the forum included:
- the path of first-generation immigrant lawyers from private practice into public office;
- a special fireside conversation commemorating the 100th episode of the forum’s signature interview series;
- the political and legal implications of U.S.-China trade developments;
- how effective storytelling can strengthen communication and help turn ideas into real outcomes; and
- professional exchanges on immigration law, criminal law, artificial intelligence, e-commerce compliance, restaurant industry legal risk, family and matrimonial matters, and the enforcement of Chinese judgments in the United States.
A Keynote That Resonated Across the Room
One of the most memorable moments of the forum was the keynote by Gary Locke, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the first Chinese American governor in U.S. history. Drawing on his own transition from legal practice into public leadership, he offered a deeply insightful perspective on governance, responsibility, and the broader role lawyers can play in public life.
Strengthening Dongwei’s Cross-Border Network
As Deputy Secretary-General of Dongwei’s National Center for International Legal Services and Head of the International Trade & Logistics Practice at Beijing Dongwei (Shenzhen) Law Firm, Dolly (Xinyu) Hu continues to play a central role in the firm’s foreign-related legal work.
During the forum, she held in-depth conversations with U.S. law firms and prominent attorneys on cross-border dispute resolution, international trade compliance, and collaboration on U.S.-related legal services. These exchanges further expanded Dongwei’s cooperation network in the U.S. legal services market and reinforced the firm’s growing presence in cross-border practice.
In recent years, Dongwei’s National Center for International Legal Services has continued to deepen its work in foreign-related legal matters and steadily build international influence. Dolly (Xinyu) Hu has also been interviewed by Phoenix Finance and featured by China Daily, becoming one of the representative lawyers associated with the center’s international legal services platform.
The Seattle forum was not only a high-level professional gathering, but also a valuable opportunity to strengthen trust, dialogue, and future collaboration between legal professionals working across China-U.S. legal and business environments.
