Economic interdependence between China and the United States is increasing due to the robust growth of the Chinese economy and the acceleration of globalization. Activities such as cross-border mergers and acquisitions, international financing and trading have become more frequent and demand a higher level of competency and internationalization in legal services. To meet these challenges, a number of prominent US and Chinese legal professionals have founded the U.S.-China Legal Exchange Foundation ("UCLEF") which is based in New Jersey, U.S.A. UCLEF's goal is to enhance the collaboration between the legal communities in the United States and China while providing better opportunities for legal professionals to understand the differences between each other's distinct legal system and culture. Founded on August 8, 2008, as an independent, non-profit professional organization, UCLEF's mission is to promote, facilitate and strengthen the legal communication and collaboration between China and the United States by bringing together all appropriate resources. Our motto is to approach justice via mutual understanding.

UCLEF plays a significant role in bridging the communication and cooperation of Chinese and U.S. legal professionals. For the purpose of promoting professionalism, education, civilization, and cooperation, UCLEF is dedicated among other things to the following principal activities:
Strengthen legal information exchange and cultural communication between China and the United States;
Promote cooperation among legal scholars and practitioners from China and the United States;
Support and undertake legal research, education, and training;
Initiate and develop public discussions, forums, conversations, conferences, and seminars concerning relevant Chinese and American legal issues;
Undertake and assist in publications in connection with legal research and education;
Provide legal aid and public-interest-oriented programs to the public in China and in the United States.

UCLEF is headquartered in New Jersey, which is on the east coast of the United States. The location has significant transportation advantages, as it is easily accessible to both New York and Boston to the north, as well as Philadelphia and Washington, D.C .to the south.