Judicial Delegation Visits Hong Kong

HONG KONG John Coleman, former President and current Board Member of the Hong Kong Association recently organized and led a Delegation of leading Southern California Judges and Lawyers to Hong Kong. The highlight of the trip was a Seminar at the Hong Kong University Law Center entitled: "America's Greatest Trial Lawyers and the American Jury System."

The visit included in-depth briefings with the Honorable Andrew Li, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal; The Honorable Elsie Leung, Secretary of Justice; and The Honorable Geoffrey Ma, Chief Judge of the High Court. Additionally, James Keith, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate met and briefed the Delegation at the U.S. Consulate.

According to John Coleman, the purpose of the trip was to exchange ideas and dialogue on the hurdles which the Hong Kong Judiciary and Legal System encounter in implementing the "one country/two systems" process.

The Program at the Hong Kong University Law Center was a huge success. More than 200 hundred people attended the Program on October 11th, which according to Law Center Dean Johannes Chan was "the most successful international event sponsored by Hong Kong University Law Center."

The Honorable Ronald S.W. Lew, the first Chinese American appointed by the President of the United States to the Federal Court said "it was the best trip I was ever on. . .the exchanges between the Judiciary and Bar were phenomenal." Tom Girardi, the premier Trial Lawyer who handled the Erin Brockovich case and has recorded over $25 billion dollars (U.S.D.) in Jury Verdicts and Settlements, said "the people of Hong Kong were terrific. . .Hong Kong has a most reputable judicial system with Judges who are 'First-Rate'. I wish we could bring some of them over here to the U.S. . ."

The trip was arranged under the auspices of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an organization made up of premier Trial Attorneys. John Coleman is a leading member of ABOTA as were other speakers and participants on the Program.

At a Dinner hosted by John Coleman, the Delegation presented Sister Helen Kenny, Director, Make a Wish Foundation of Hong Kong Ltd.; and The Maryknoll Sisters, with sports items generously donated by Southern California sports teams such as Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Dodgers, UCLA, USC, The Anaheim Angels and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

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