14 October 2005
本所於二零零五年十月十四日舉行本行六十週年慶典
本所於 2005 年十月十四日成功地舉行六十週年慶典。此慶典包括當日下午三時半在香港聖公會聖約翰座堂之感恩崇拜及下午五時至八時於香港會所之慶祝酒會。
Speech delivered by Mr. Moses Cheng, Senior Partner at the Reception at the Hong Kong Club to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the founding of P. C. Woo & Co.
Honoured guests, friends & colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of my partners and colleagues, I would like to extend to all of you our warmest welcome. Thank you so much for taking time off your very busy schedule to be with us at our celebration this evening. This is a very special occasion, the 60th anniversary of P. C. Woo & Co. This is indeed a significant milestone for our Firm.
Sixty years ago, right on this piece of land stood the old Hong Kong Club Building. Right at that time, the cannons and guns of World War II have just been silenced across the globe. The people of the world were faced with the challenge of rebuilding their lives amidst the chaos and rubble.
And right at that time, not far away from the old Hong Kong Club Building, at the old Bank of East Asia Building, a gentleman, thirty-five years of age, founded a new law firm with a staff of seven. That day was the 15th of October, 1945. The gentleman is Dr. the Hon. P. C. Woo. And the firm is P. C. Woo & Co.
It marked the beginning of sixty years of growth and development. It shaped what we are today. In the footsteps of our founder, we continue to rise to everyday challenges with the same level of determination as he has demonstrated.
And our founder has taught us more. As professionals, we owe a duty to our profession. We must practise with professional competence, honesty and integrity. To us, the legal practice is much more than a business. It is about maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. It is about contributing to the continuity of our profession.
To our Founder and those who came before us, thank you for establishing the solid foundation upon which we can continue to build; setting the guiding principles that we live by through good and bad times of the past 60 years, as well as instilling in us a spirit that inspires us everyday and enabling us to rise to any challenge with the same level of determination that you have demonstrated in the course of the years.
Ladies & Gentlemen, the rule of law is an integral part of any great society. The law enables just as it constrains. It acts as a brake, so that liberty does not slide and slither into anarchic licence. It draws lines in the sand, protects the weak from the strong and, defines public interest in an orderly and balance way. The rule of law underpins the prosperity and sustains the most acceptable and profitable way of doing business.
Many consider the rule of law to be the crown jewel of Hong Kong. In promoting and fostering the rule of law, in the continuing prosperity and stability of Hong Kong , we see the need for a strong legal profession. We see the need for a legal profession with Hong Kong roots.
I am proud that P.C. Woo & Co. is deeply rooted here in Hong Kong and is committed to contribute continuously towards building this strong legal profession.
We all know that the most important asset of a professional firm is its people. Without our colleagues, we would not have become what we are. We believe in offering our colleagues the opportunities to develop fulfilling careers with professional satisfaction. In our colleagues we see our future.
To my fellow partners and colleagues, especially those who are in younger generations, I would like to extend to you my sincere appreciation. May I also repeat to you what Duncan has once spoken to Macbeth: "I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing." The future of our Firm lies in your heart and your hands.
I first joined the Firm as a young and inexperienced trainee some 30 years ago and it has never ceased to amaze me the wonderful things my colleagues continue to create and the standards they set for themselves in serving our clients. And I shall ensure you that these creativity and innovations will continue into the future.
I first joined the Firm as a young and inexperienced trainee some 30 years ago and it has never ceased to amaze me the wonderful things my colleagues continue to create and the standards they set for themselves in serving our clients. And I shall ensure you that these creativity and innovations will continue into the future.
However, no matter how convinced we are with our capability, no matter how confident we are with our work, we would be nothing without our clients. It is you that make us what we are here today. And we consider ourselves fortunate and blessed to have your continued confirmation that the path we travelled down is one that is right.
The strength of our belief in Traditional Values, Innovative Practice lies not as dogma but rather in your continued and kind patronage. It is with your presence here today, the experts within your respective industries that affirm us. To our treasured clients and supportive friends, may I extend to all of you our most sincere gratitude.
Ladies & Gentlemen, we owe a duty not only to our profession, but also to our community. We have always kept in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, "Happiness lies more in giving than in receiving." In modern terms, it is to take up the social responsibilities as a good corporate citizen. We are therefore committed to serving our community, in particular through providing pro bono legal service to those individuals and groups who are otherwise unable to afford it. And our colleagues are devoting their time to serve on the boards of educational, cultural, civic and charitable organizations.
It must be remembered that we are always part of our community. That is where our roots are.
And our roots are not only in Hong Kong . They are also in our home country. Our vision for China is clear. This is where the economy will continue to grow; this is where people will continue to invest; this is where a nation will continue to prosper; this is where our future will be. And we certainly see that we have a role to play.
For we have a vision for China, for we have the international experience, and we care. We care for the development of our home country. We also care for our colleagues in the greater part of our mother land. As we see the need for a strong legal profession in Hong Kong, we equally see the need for a strong legal profession in China. Our alliance with local law firms on the Mainland of China is an important step to achieve that end. And efforts will continue.
Today, on the 60th Anniversary of our Firm, we wish to set an ambitious course for our Firm: to be nothing less than the leading 21st-century Hong Kong law firm. It means putting together the qualities characteristic of the Hong Kong people: Old Chinese values, but new insights. To us, it means "Traditional Values, Innovative Practice".
We all know that we will not be the biggest. But we can be the most desired law firm - the best place to go to when a client is in need, the best place to work in, the best place to learn, the best place to lead to a fulfilling career.
And towards this ambitious course, we will work hard. We know that a solid legal practice is built up through gradual and continual development, the efforts of dedicated team members at various stages of its time. We shall never waver from those principles that have served us so well for the past 60 years. With the help of God, the support and guidance from all of you we know we will be ready no matter what lies ahead. We will continue to thrive and excel as we usher in the many more decades of P. C. Woo & Co.
Thank you.
