On March 30, 2026, King&Capital Law Firm successfully hosted the book launch for *Debates and Discussions on Criminal Cases* and the lecture titled “Key Points of Defense and Risk Prevention in Financial Crime Cases,” part of the “17th Session: Experts Discuss Criminal Case Debates” series.
The event brought together senior lawyers and legal experts from the industry for in-depth discussions on key topics such as professional reasoning and experience summarization in criminal defense practice, the importance of scholarly writing, and the essentials of defending financial crime cases along with risk prevention and control. It provided practical insights and direction for the professional development of criminal defense.
The event was hosted by Ma Huiwen, a partner at King&Capital Law Firm. In her opening remarks, the host noted that the core of criminal defense lies in balancing professional rationality with humanistic care in individual cases. She emphasized that this launch event served not only as an in-depth dialogue on “debate and critical thinking in criminal cases” but also as an industry exchange that combined theoretical depth with practical acuity.
At the start of the event, Tian Wenchang, Honorary Director of King&Capital Law Firm, offered remarks on the new book. He highly commended the firm’s commitment to professional research and the publication of specialized legal texts. He noted that over the past three decades, the firm has published more than 140 professional books, establishing a consistent tradition of publishing books and research reports that underscores its character as a specialized, academic-oriented law firm. Tian Wenchang also emphasized that while the number of publications grows, strict quality control must be maintained to ensure that professional works possess practical value. Regarding the topic of this lecture, Tian Wenchang pointed out that financial crimes currently present complexities across legislation, adjudication, and defense, with significant room for controversy and rebuttal. He suggested conducting in-depth research into the elements of each offense to identify opportunities for defense, thereby advancing criminal defense practice through professional research.
In his opening remarks, Chu Changzhi, Managing Partner and CEO of King&Capital Law Firm, emphasized that specialization is the foundation of the firm. As criminal law practice constitutes a core area of strength, he asserted that only by adhering to the highest standards of specialization can the firm lead the industry’s development. He believes that critical thinking and publishing are key drivers for putting specialization into practice. Critical thinking transforms case-specific experience into universal methodologies and elevates individual insights into collective wisdom, while publishing solidifies experience, disseminates professional achievements, and establishes industry benchmarks. He offered three development recommendations to the Third Criminal Practice Department: First, activities should focus on emerging crimes and pain points in case handling to effectively resolve practical issues; second, the presentation formats of professional outputs should be diversified to widely disseminate professional value through articles, videos, and other mediums; third, “Criminal Case Debate” should be developed into a standardized professional brand for King&Capital Law Firm, serving as a premier platform for professional exchange within the industry. Finally, Chu Changzhi extended an invitation to outstanding lawyers nationwide who share this professional philosophy to join the firm and jointly advance the development of the criminal defense profession.
As one of the book’s editors, Zhu Yonghui, Director of King&Capital Law Firm, shared the original intent and journey behind the book’s creation. He stated that *Criminal Case Debate and Reflection* is the culmination of the Criminal Case Debate activities organized by King&Capital Law Firm’s Third Criminal Law Department. Each session of the activity was meticulously planned, bringing together the wisdom of experts, scholars, and frontline lawyers, while the book serves as a systematic compilation of the essence of past events. He emphasized that publishing this book not only continues King&Capital Law Firm’s academic tradition but also fulfills the professional responsibility of lawyers to summarize and share insights and experiences gained from handling cases. The ultimate goal is to advance the rule of law, and King&Capital Law Firm will continue to uphold its fine tradition of learning, summarizing, and researching in the future.
Peng Jiyue, a senior partner at King&Capital Law Firm and one of the book’s editors, provided a detailed introduction to the book’s positioning and value. He stated that *Criminal Case Debates and Discourse* focuses on the most cutting-edge and controversial issues in criminal defense, avoiding topics already settled by precedent, and consistently remains at the forefront of practical research. Each issue’s topics are drawn from new challenges and emerging trends encountered in frontline case practice. He noted that the book adheres to an open philosophy of “participation for all.” The editorial team includes senior partners, second-tier partners, and young lawyers. The content balances substantive issues with procedural disputes, covering both traditional challenges in criminal defense and cutting-edge topics such as emerging crimes and rules of evidence. Furthermore, the publication of this book serves to positively enhance the quality of the seminars and drive the Criminal Law Division III to consistently produce high-quality professional outcomes.
Nie Sufang, co-editor of the new book and senior partner at King&Capital Law Firm, reflected deeply on the original intent and journey of the “Criminal Case Deliberation” initiative. She noted that the initiative’s founding purpose was to systematically summarize the most authentic case handling experiences, challenges, and insights of frontline criminal defense lawyers, thereby providing the industry with practical, down-to-earth, and valuable references. Over the past two years, “Criminal Case Debate” has held 17 sessions. While frontline lawyers have summarized their practical experiences, the event has also invited experts from universities such as Renmin University of China, China University of Political Science and Law, the China People’s Public Security University, and Beijing Normal University to participate, truly achieving a deep convergence of theory and practice. This book compiles highlights from selected sessions held between 2024 and 2025, covering diverse topics such as evidence-based defense, specialized defense strategies for similar cases, enforcement practices, and the application of AI in law. It serves not only as a distillation of experience but also as a professional resource for young lawyers, vividly embodying King&Capital Law Firm’s commitment to continuous learning. She mentioned that Professor Tian Wenchang has long encouraged lawyers to not only focus on handling cases but also to take the time to reflect and summarize their experiences. In the era of social media and big data, he advocates using authentic, substantive professional content to counteract the distractions of fragmented information and demonstrate the professional competence of criminal defense lawyers.
Sun Guangzhi, a senior partner at King&Capital Law Firm and deputy editor of the book, shared the entire process from the initiative’s launch to the book’s publication. He recalled that in March 2024, the firm’s Third Criminal Law Department officially launched the “Criminal Case Reflections” initiative. After nearly two years of meticulous refinement, the book has become a commemorative work marking King&Capital Law Firm’s 30th anniversary. This book is not only a systematic summary of frontline practical experience but, thanks to the involvement of theoretical experts, has significantly elevated its theoretical depth and professional rigor, marking an important milestone on King&Capital Law Firm’s path toward specialization. He noted that the book consistently embodies the criminal defense philosophy advocated by Attorney Tian Wenchang: there is no hierarchy of roles, no fixed order of precedence, and no single correct answer; only through continuous debate and in-depth deliberation can the cause of criminal defense continue to advance.
Professor Cai Yuanpei of China University of Political Science and Law shared his insights from the dual perspectives of an author and a student of criminal defense. He noted that current criminal defense literature is primarily divided into three categories: theory, experience, and case studies. This book, however, effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice, combining vivid firsthand case experience with rigorous and standardized professional analysis, thereby offering both readability and practicality. He admitted that he is currently writing a monograph on criminal defense, and noted that the book’s content structure, choice of perspectives, and depth of practical insight have provided him with valuable reference. He also expressed his hope for continued in-depth collaboration with the King&Capital Law Firm team in the future to jointly promote the integrated development of criminal defense theory and practice.
Tang Jianbin, a senior partner at King&Capital Law Firm, noted that the book includes articles he authored on new types of drug crimes and crimes in the food and drug sectors, all of which stem from in-depth discussions and practical case-sharing sessions held during the “Criminal Case Debate” events. He emphasized that the process of transforming oral presentations into formal written works and ultimately publishing them as a book represents a crucial stage in the further refinement and systematic enhancement of a lawyer’s professional capabilities. “This book is just the beginning; in the future, the Third Criminal Law Department will continue to release a series of publications, constantly enriching research outcomes in criminal defense and covering more emerging crimes and cutting-edge fields.”
As a representative of young lawyers, Attorney Feng Wang shared his insights on professional growth through his experience writing about the application of AI in criminal defense practice. He noted that the process of contributing to this book was far more valuable than the final product itself; it was precisely the complete cycle of in-depth research, systematic organization, and public sharing that allowed him to truly grasp the issues and solidify his expertise. Citing the Feynman Learning Method, he pointed out that the ability to explain complex problems clearly and simply is the true measure of mastering knowledge. In the face of AI’s rapid development, he emphasized that the core qualities that make lawyers irreplaceable are independent thinking, value judgment, and logical reasoning. This book serves as a true testament to how young lawyers hone their expertise, push themselves to the limit, and strive for excellence through debate and critical thinking.
Zhao Qilong, a senior partner at King&Capital Law Firm, shared his insights based on seven years of experience as a criminal judge and his practice in civil and commercial law. He noted that defending clients in financial crime cases is the crown jewel of criminal defense, requiring expertise across finance, civil and commercial law, and criminal law—and thus demanding exceptionally high levels of multidisciplinary competence from attorneys. Although this book is a distillation of the event’s content, it has precisely addressed the core controversies of financial crime. In the future, it could further cover more specialized financial sectors such as trusts, insurance, securities, and futures, forming a more comprehensive professional system. He stated that the professional excellence of King&Capital Law Firm’s criminal defense team deeply moved him and inspired the civil and commercial practice department to strengthen their summarization efforts, deepen their expertise, and produce more high-quality outcomes.
Wang Jiaming, a partner at King&Capital Law Firm, shared insights based on her practical experience handling securities and financial crime cases. She noted that legislation in the field of financial crime lags significantly behind, with some judicial interpretations no longer aligning with current law enforcement and judicial practices. Additionally, the field requires support from multiple areas of knowledge, including criminal law, securities law, and administrative penalty procedures, presenting both opportunities for defense and significant challenges. She strongly agreed with Professor Tian Wenchang’s views on the quality of the book, emphasizing that it is not merely a straightforward interpretation of legal provisions but incorporates extensive practical experience and in-depth analysis. It truly embodies the principle of “handling thousands of cases, gaining insights into myriad principles, and writing a single volume,” providing young lawyers with a clear path and professional guidance for handling financial crime cases.
Yang Daming, a senior partner at King&Capital Law Firm who attended the event, spoke highly of the book’s pioneering significance. He noted that King&Capital Law Firm has been deeply engaged in specialized criminal defense publishing since 1998, and has now evolved from individual authorship to team-based achievements and series publications, establishing a strong momentum for professional research. By systematizing and compiling content from both online and offline lectures into a book and making it available to lawyers nationwide, this publication represents a groundbreaking initiative for the industry. He suggested that future publications should be numbered to establish a stable series brand and continuously expand professional influence. He also expressed hope that more lawyers would participate in writing in the future, allowing more practical experience to be consolidated and disseminated.
Ma Lixi, a partner at King&Capital Law Firm, stated that the book features a clean and rigorous design with practical and substantial content, all of which is derived from frontline practical insights and analysis. As a long-time participant in the “Criminal Case Debate” initiative, he understands that every article stems from real cases, genuine disputes, and authentic reflections. Free from abstract theory, the book offers methods, approaches, and techniques directly applicable to case handling, combining practicality with guidance to provide direct inspiration and assistance for criminal defense lawyers in their daily practice.
Following the presentation, guests including Tian Wenchang and Chu Changzhi, along with all members of the book’s editorial team—such as Zhu Yonghui—jointly unveiled *Debates and Discussions on Criminal Cases*, marking the official release of this work, which embodies the collective wisdom of the King&Capital Law Firm Criminal Defense Team. Guests at the event unanimously noted that the publication of this book not only represents the distillation of King&Capital Law Firm’s practical experience in criminal defense but also provides the industry with practical methods to draw upon, holding significant importance for advancing the professional development of the criminal defense sector.
Following the book launch, Attorney Sun Guangzhi delivered a lecture titled *Key Strategies and Risk Prevention in Financial Crime Cases*, providing attendees with practical insights into the defense of financial crime cases. Drawing on his extensive experience handling major illegal fundraising cases such as those involving Zhongzhi Group and eZubao, as well as financial crime cases involving insider trading and market manipulation by listed companies, Attorney Sun Guangzhi systematically explained the core principles and practical methods of financial crime defense across five key areas: an overview of financial crimes, their characteristics and causes, defense strategies, risk prevention and control, and analysis of classic cases.
During the lecture, Attorney Sun Guangzhi first outlined the core nature of financial crimes and the distribution of charges across different entities. He noted that financial crimes primarily concentrate in areas such as disrupting financial management order and financial fraud, with the banking and securities industries being high-incidence sectors, and that many charges are closely interrelated. He summarized the four key characteristics of financial crimes—fraudulence, non-compliance, complexity, and the volume of evidence—and analyzed core causes such as investment and financing difficulties, lack of professional ethics, legal lag, and corporate governance failures, laying a cognitive foundation for precise defense strategies and risk prevention.
Regarding the key principles of defense in financial crime cases, Attorney Sun Guangzhi proposed a five-tiered defense strategy: “defense based on facts and evidence, defense based on the nature of the conduct, defense based on the elements of the offense, defense regarding sentencing, and defense based on criminal policy.” Regarding risk prevention and control, he proposed an “iron triangle” prevention system comprising “modernization of corporate governance, strengthening of internal controls, and resolute anti-corruption efforts.” He called on corporate executives to fulfill their duties by addressing five key areas—eliminating illegal fundraising, combating fraud, ensuring business integrity, prohibiting improper transactions, and rejecting the pursuit of profit through illegal means—to prevent financial crime risks at their source.
To enhance the practical applicability of the lecture, Attorney Sun Guangzhi analyzed defense strategies and practical methods for different types of financial crime cases by drawing on three classic examples: the Feng insider trading case, the Yang loan fraud case, and the Zhongzhi Group illegal public deposit absorption case. Regarding the insider trading case, he shared an approach combining a not-guilty defense with a sentencing defense; for loan fraud cases, he explained how to achieve a non-prosecution outcome during the review and prosecution stage through arguments regarding facts, nature, elements of the offense, and criminal policy; and for the major illegal fundraising case involving over 10,000 case files, he summarized a five-step efficient case file review method—“assessing the scope, identifying the focus, determining priorities, conducting a radiating scan of the files, and integrating and analyzing evidence”—providing replicable practical methods for lawyers handling major and complex financial crime cases.
The successful launch of *Criminal Case Debate and Reasoning* and the accompanying thematic lecture not only showcased the achievements of King&Capital Law Firm in deepening its specialization in criminal defense but also established a professional exchange platform for the criminal defense industry. The publication of the book offers rich case references and methodological guidance for criminal defense practice, while the thematic lecture provided practical insights for the defense against financial crimes and risk prevention and control.
Moving forward, King&Capital Law Firm will continue to uphold its philosophy of specialization and academic rigor. Using the “Criminal Case Debate” initiative as a vehicle and professional publications as its outcomes, the firm will persistently explore new methods and pathways in criminal defense. Simultaneously, it will strengthen industry exchange and cooperation, working alongside criminal defense colleagues nationwide to advance the professionalization and standardization of the criminal defense sector, thereby contributing professional expertise to the development of the rule of law.
