China Environmental Law

The awards keep rolling in here at CELB.  This time it’s the Shanghai government’s Magnolia Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the City on foreigners who have “contributed significantly to Shanghai’s economic performance, international relations, business environment, management standards and community development.”  That’s CELB’s contribution in a nutshell, but truth be told, I don’t think the award was for the work we do here at your favorite China environmental and energy law news spot.

In my spare time, I have had the pleasure of teaching classes on American law at the law school of a famous Shanghai University, and it was the University which nominated me for the reward.  I don’t want to taint it with anything I may say in this space, so that’s as far as I’ll go in identifying the school.    Of course, if you are looking for a law school which would graciously accept a large donation or you are in need of some extremely talented young lawyers or legal interns, I will be happy to communicate with you privately.

The ceremony was scheduled for 2:00pm yesterday and we were to arrive at 1:00 for a “cocktail hour.”  An unusual time to begin drinking perhaps, but I always believe in respecting local customs.  As it turns out the cocktails were rum and coke sans rum and screwdrivers without the vodka.  It was probably for the best, as I was tagged to give the acceptance speech for the recipient group, and it could have ended up looking like that famous scene in Lucky Jim if I’d had access to any jiu.

My wife said I was a complete tool in my speech which, of course, I was-”give the people what they want” is always my motto.  It was worth it to carry home a nice piece of hardware, and a certificate suitable for framing.  Thanks Shanghai!

(If you are really curious, here’s an article from the Shanghai Daily)