FUSIA/CCIP students took park in a roundtable session with Mr. Philip Zhang, Partner in the Corporate & Securities Practice Group of Hodgson Russ LLP. Taking time from his busy schedule, Mr. Philip Zhang shared his personal experiences adapting to the cultural differences in business practices between China, Singapore and New York as well as his thoughts on business accumulated over the years.

On the evening of June 26th, at one of the nation's oldest law firms—employing more than 250 attorneys of whom two became presidents of the United States, an another Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury Department for Tax Policy, an another a president of the World Bank.

Q: Could you tell us a little about your background?

A: I've worked with clients from a fairly wide range of industries, but I concentrate the bulk of my practice on China-related cross-boarder transaction. I also work with the community as the General Counsel to the China Chamber of Commerce in USA and the President of the US Chapter of the Alumni Association of the China University of Political Science and Law. Before joining Hodgson Russ LLP, I was a practitioner with a few other firms in New York and Singapore. Now I practice in New York and China.

Q: How do you deal with cultural differences and the process of adapting to them?

A: You have to realize that the new world you find yourself in will stay as it has been in spite of your presence. But don't look at it as being helpless: I knew that I couldn't change a culture, but what I could do was change my mindset. The key is keeping your mind open. Taking these ideas to heart will make cultural adjustment a much less of an ordeal in the long run. When I first came to New York, the pace of everything was so fast, but after a while I caught up, and now I can say that I'm doing very well. Even when many of my colleagues have left for careers in China, I chose to remain in New York. This isn't my home, but New is truly an international city. Yes, I am a minority here and it's been a hard road, that doesn't mean me or anyone else can't make the very best of any given situation.

Q: How did you get to where you are today?

A: Honestly, I was lucky enough to be at the right place at exactly the right time. But even so, I had to be aware and ready for these opportunities. Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew 's vision and plan of China in the 1990's changed my career, and my two years of experience in Singapore were very rewarding. Singapore has been my stepping stone to New York. When new opportunities come, you have to be open to accept them and brave enough to pursue them.

Q: Having worked in so many countries, how do you satisfy clients and keep them coming back?

A: It is all about building that network and relationship which itself is grounded in trust. Before working with clients you must begin to understand who you are dealing with. You must understand their character before you can even think about giving them what they ask for. That kind of relationship is built up over time and experience. There is a Chinese saying that tells us two sides have to go through a predicament together before they can really know each other well.

Q: Having achieved so much, and now with so many responsibilities, how do you balance your work and private life?

A: I'm curious about life, and that's what gives me strength. When needed, I do take a break from the demands of work. Money isn't what drives me—and you will be hard-pressed to find anyone studying law who doesn't feel the same way. Outside of law, what drives me is passing my experiences on to students, answering their questions and providing them insight into possible solutions. Above all, I want to do something that helps the community and society. It's not just about doing well for yourself, but it just as important helping others do well.