Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Calls for China-Wide Ban of Mayer Brown

Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying called for a China-wide boycott of global law firm Mayer Brown, after the firm dropped its representation of the University of Hong Kong after the latter removed a Tiananmen Square massacre sculpture from its campus. In a Facebook post in response to questions from the Financial Times, Leung asserted that the firm bowed to international pressure and abandoned its client. Mayer Brown halted its representation Oct. 15, following an outcry that included a letter from 28 international groups pushing for the relationship to cease. The Pillar of Shame was created in memory of those killed by the Chinese army during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests against the government. It has stood on the campus since 1997.

Also calling for the Hong Kong Law Society to conduct an investigation, Leung said that Mayer Brown "abandoned" Hong Kong University, "as widely reported, due to American and European political pressure at a critical juncture of the case. They have not denied such reports. From here on, no client in Hong Kong or Mainland China, particularly those with Chinese government connections, will find Mayer Brown dependable." The sculpture was made by Danish artist Jens Galschiot, who has since asserted his ownership over the piece, retained a lawyer and threatened legal action if the piece is damaged, the Hong Kong Free Press reported.