The SOaring with Legal Eagles Mentorship Network (SOLEMN), launched by Professor Puja Kapai in March 2026, is a first-of-its-kind pilot initiative to support ethnically diverse law students in navigating their transition from legal education into professional practice and address gaps in representation within Hong Kong’s legal profession. Bringing together 16 mentees from Hong Kong’s 3 law schools paired with 12 mentors, and engaging 26 legal practitioners across sectors, SOLEMN was designed not only to expand access and opportunity, but also to foster a stronger sense of belonging, professional identity, and purpose.

Through structured mentorship, reflective learning across the five thematic panels and workshops (Pathways, Pivots & Possibilities, Behind the Brochure, Fitting in and Standing Out, Lawyering Beyond Hong Kong, and The Lawyers we Become), and candid conversations with practitioners from law firms, chambers, corporates, NGOs, and the public sector, mentees gained practical insights into the profession while exploring how their identities, values, and experiences can become sources of strength in their legal careers.  We are deeply grateful to our venue partners — JSM, Hugill & Ip and Withers — whose generosity and support made it possible for SOLEMN to create welcoming spaces for learning, reflection, and community building.

The programme culminated in a graduation ceremony at the Faculty on 7 July 2026, bringing together mentees, mentors, Faculty leadership, and members of the legal and NGO community to celebrate the achievements of the inaugural cohort. More than a closing event, the gathering affirmed a shared commitment to building a profession in which talent, rather than background, determines opportunity. 

As Hong Kong continues to evolve as a diverse and globally connected city, strengthening the inclusiveness of the legal profession is more than a question of representation. A profession that reflects the communities it serves is better positioned to build public trust, enhance access to justice, and uphold the rule of law. SOLEMN represents an important step towards that goal, demonstrating the transformative potential of mentorship, community, and intentional investment in future generations of legal professionals.