Mengyuan (Tommy) Tang comes from a family of lawyers, and he was encouraged to earn an LL.M. in the United States immediately after he earned his law degree at the China University of Political Science and Law and Beijing.

Tommy returned to China after earning his LL.M. and joined the Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing, where he was named a partner after four years.

His successful law practice at the Zhong Lun Law Firm now encompasses M&A, government regulation,  compliance, litigation, and construction and project development.

He chose a Vanderbilt LL.M. because of the school’s prestige and strong brand name in China and its global alumni network. “Vanderbilt has a good reputation in China,” he said.

One of his colleagues, Lijie Sun, LLM’19, is now a fourth-year associate.

At a talk with students, Tommy emphasized that a Vanderbilt LL.M. was particularly valuable in China’s competitive job market, and that the We Chat network of approximately 200 alumni of all Vanderbilt schools is a particularly valuable networking tool and a vital community.

He noted that Vanderbilt is right next to the Owen Graduate School of Management, and that LL.M. students could expand their network of potential future clients by making an effort to meet Chinese students at other Vanderbilt schools.

Tommy is the youngest partner at his firm, and in recent years, he has broadened his focus from M&A to include work in government regulation and litigation. While he acknowledged that his Vanderbilt LL.M. helped him advance quickly in his career, his skills in networking and client development and his ability to bring new clients to his firm were key to securing a partnership.

He urged students to be proactive in building a professional network in the United States during their time here and in China when they return. “The more contacts you have, the more business opportunities for you and your firm,” he emphasized. “Reach out to as many people as you can—that really expands your opportunities.”

Tommy found his Vanderbilt Law classes in Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporations valuable, and he also urged Chinese students to take Civil Procedure, a class he acknowledged most foreign students avoided because of the deep dive into the American legal system. “Civil Procedure is very hard, but the class really helps you understand how the U.S. legal system works, which is a big advantage,” he said. “The rules are very different in China.”

Tommy also found his legal writing class especially helpful, both with improving his practice legal skills and his English.

He encouraged students to enjoy life in Nashville, which he touts as offering a unique combination of big-city amenities in a city manageable size. He encouraged students to enjoy Vanderbilt’s campus, local parks, and music downtown. “Nashville is different from any other American city, and the quality of life here is good,” he said. “It’s a great place to spend a year.”

He also encouraged students to study hard and to pursue work at law firms in the U.S. “Those jobs are very hard to get, especially with a one-year degree, but you should make the effort,” he said.