Yanggim, a graduate from the Southwest China Institute of Political Science and Law, became a lawyer in 1985. She was the only woman among the six lawyers then in Lhasa, capital of Tibet.

Also the first woman lawyer in the history of Tibet, Yanggim opened a non-governmental law office in 1989, the first of its kind in Tibet.

Since then, she has handled more than 1,000 cases, saving total economic losses of more than 230 million yuan for her clients (state-owned or collectively-owned enterprises or individuals). In last year alone, she saved economic losses of over 160 million yuan.

Yanggim's business scope ranges from key criminal cases, consultations and investigations on major cooperative projects, to negotiations and drafting contracts.

Her colleagues said she is smart and effective when justifying a case.

Yanggim is now the counsel for more than 100 enterprises and government institutions in Tibet.

At present, Tibet has 10 law offices, with 59 lawyers and nearly 100 people with law qualifications

Yanggim said that it gratifies her to serve Tibetans.

She has been named as one of the best 10 lawyers in China and one of the 10 outstanding youths of China.

(People's Daily 05/17/2001)