Responsibility to the Community

Oldham, Li & Nie is committed to the community in which we serve and work within.

The range of activities in which we participate naturally varies. But there is a common thread that connects us as a Firm – the efforts of our lawyers and staff to embrace helping others through fund-raising, charitable giving, community service and volunteerism.

Social responsibility in our Firm is not an initiative or a professional obligation. It is one of the core values that are shared by the members of this Firm.

Child Welfare Scheme

In one of the most breathtakingly beautiful countries in the world, there lives a population that is subjected to constant civil disorder and one of the worlds most polluted water supplies.

Almost half of the Nepalese population is under the age of 15, 49% of these children are destined to never learn how to read or write and 84% lack proper medical care. Nepal’s situation is extremely dire and OLN is proud to be one of the main sponsor’s of the Child Welfare Scheme, who have made it their goal to provide proper education, healthcare and social opportunities for disadvantaged children in the Nepal.

OLN has provided countless support to over 28,000 children in Nepal, by raising over HK$1.2 million for the Child Welfare Scheme and also by lending their time to visit villages in Nepal and China to monitor the charities successes. OLN intends to continue supporting the Child Welfare Scheme through benefit runs and local sponsorships.

Our goal is not only relieve the suffering of the children in Nepal, but to offer proper medical care to all children in the region, eradicate illiteracy, and offer the Nepalese children a better life overall.

> Please visit the CWSHK website to find out more about this wonderful charity.

Child Welfare News

On 5 November 2009, CWS’ charity founder Douglas Maclagan received the 2009 World of Children Health award at UNICEF House in New York City.

Douglas was awarded for founding Child Welfare Scheme. Hailed as the “Nobel Prize for Children,” the World of Children award honors extraordinary individuals who have made a significant contribution to improve the well being of children.

The award includes a cash grant of US$50,000 which enables CWS to continue its work in improving the lives of children every year.

Zein and Douglas arriving Douglas receiving the 2009 World of Children Health Award at the UNICEF House, NY.

Staff Experiences

Gordon Oldham:

Together with Douglas, Zein, Garrett & Steve, Gordon joined the other 200 adventurers to run 250km across the Namibian desert in favor of the Child Welfare Scheme. They raised over HK$400,000!

Chris Hooley: Pushed To The Limits

Standing beside the ancient clapper bridge, OLN partner Chris Hooley admires the large stones that are each laid out evenly across the creek. He ponders the stability of such a massive structure built in the medieval ages and after another minute of studying the ancient stones, Chris mounts his bike and pushes off over the bridge.

As he nears the middle, he can hear the faint snapping of twigs under the shifting weight of the giant boulders. With an uneasy sigh, he dismounts and takes a look around before pushing off to complete the second leg of the journey.

“I love mountain biking because it’s a great way to see nature,” Chris said. “However, it’s a very strenuous sport. On this trip alone, we are traveled over 200 km and carried everything on our backs for a three day journey. It drained us mentally and physically.”

Despite the rigors, Chris and his brother decided to make the trek for OLN’s main charity, Child Welfare Scheme, which was set up to provide opportunities for disadvantaged children in Nepal. They planned a 200 km bike trip through the beautiful countryside of Dartmoor National Park in southwestern England.

“I had done previous bike trips through southern England before,” Chris said, “but we wanted to push ourselves with this trip.” ‘Pushing themselves’ may be putting it lightly. Even though it was mid-June, the moors were surprisingly cold, wet and windy. To make matters worse, Chris and his brother had only packed warm-weather gear instead of gear for cold weather, and inevitably were forced to complete their journey in gear unsuitable for the climate. "The weather seemed perfect when we started out in Plymouth. It was sunny and bright with just a little bit of a cold breeze,” Chris said. “By the time we made it into the park, it was chilly and drizzling.” The weather wasn’t the only thing hindering the journey. “The terrain was bleak and treacherous,” Chris explained. “Half the time we couldn’t find the trail because we lost it in a large creek or a thick cluster of trees and bushes. The bridges are ancient and you get the feeling that people haven’t used the trail in a long time. ”

By the end of the trip, both men were exhausted and worn out, yet they were happy with themselves for completing such a rigorous journey and raising funds for their selected charity. “It was a great trip,” Chris said. “The important part was that we raised almost USD $8,000 for the Child Welfare Scheme. We’ll be able to provide education to over 120 kids in Nepal this year and that is what it is all about.”

The Ultimate Journey

Arriving in Da Nang, located in Central Vietnam, a group of OLN lawyers were witnesses to the devastation brought about by Typhoon Ketsana.

Exposed electrical wires and debris from the high winds littered the ground and many of the streets were still flooded. The skies were still filled with dark grey clouds and the rain seemed to be endless as the group joined the other participants for the Action Asia Events’ 60 km Ultra Marathon and Hike.

Because of the damage sustained by the typhoon, the group was forced to switch their route from the Vietnamese jungle to the environments of Da Nang.

The happy survivors

of Action Asia Events' Ultra Marathon

“I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get to hike through the jungle and visit with the local people or stay in the local huts,” said Vera Sung, who is a partner at OLN, “But it was still fun to hang out with the team and in the end we donated money to those affected by the typhoon.” Others, like partner Paul Firmin, felt relieved by the turn of events. “I wasn’t too disappointed that we didn’t have to hike through the jungle,” Paul said. “It was nice to be able to go back to a hotel after such a long hike during the day. There is nothing like a hot shower and clean crisp sheets after being out in the heat.”

One thing that the group couldn’t escape from was the erratic weather that plagued them as they ran and walked. “We all had brought the wrong gear with us, since we anticipated running in the jungle,” associate solicitor Carmen Tang said. “We weren’t expecting the incredibly hot and dusty roads. The sun beat down on us and on the second day it rained heavily for the first 10K. I must admit that it was a nice relief to run in the rain, because it cooled us down. However, by the afternoon it was extremely hot again!”

A 60 km journey through Vietnam

A test for physical and mental endurance!

Despite the change in the route and the crazy weather conditions, most agreed that the journey was still a challenge that they warmly welcomed. “It was probably the most fit I’ve been in a long time,” Associate Solicitor Adam Hugill said. “It was a definite test of my physical and mental endurance.”

“It’s the most I’ve walked in years,” echoed Paul. “I haven’t been this fit in ages!” In the end, the trip was a success as the group donated funds to help build a bridge that had been destroyed in the typhoon and also found the trip a great opportunity to socialize and have the chance to get to know their colleagues better.

“On this trip alone, I socialized with some of my colleagues more than I have in eight years at the firm,” Paul said. “It was a great event and I am really looking forward to doing something similar again soon.”