thechamp Posted March 16, 2012 at 11:04 PM Report Posted March 16, 2012 at 11:04 PM Hi! I've seen there are definitely a few lawyers on these forums and I'd rather ask legal career questions here than on RollOF.....So, my question is this: I recently applied to a large City (London commercial firm) and they responded very politely that for people with advanced to native chinese there were actually a few training contracts set aside for an 'Asia' stream. They told me this was essentially a training contract involving a year in London, then a year in Asia (assuming SP or HK). Qualify in London as a solicitor in England and Wales but, and it's quite a big but, 'they would be looking to continue their career in Asia, rather than London'. On reading this I was very excited, thinking 'perfect'. Obviously I love China and would want some China law experience. My question is: how easy is it to move back home if you start lawyering abroad so soon after qualification? China's awesome I and would like to spend a good deal of my working life there, but I have friends who've been over a while (4ish years) and moved back from homesickness. Quote
Kurtz Posted March 16, 2012 at 11:35 PM Report Posted March 16, 2012 at 11:35 PM Good approach to come here first - I would hate to think what responses you would get from RoF... First time I have heard of any city firms offering this - usual practice is to send people for a six month seat overseas at an early stage (historically, law firms have hired their juniors locally). I actually think you would be well served by doing a few years in London in the early part of your career, to get a good grounding in the law and make contacts in the head office (assuming its a UK firm). In addition, I am not sure whether the training or work would be as useful overseas. Back in the day, when I was a trainee, I did a six month stint in the firm's Paris office and I found that the training was less intense. However, saying that, HK is the place to be at the moment for IPOs, financing and the usual commercial work - so you may well get some quality work in and, if you wanted to head back to the UK, have some good experience under the belt for when the London market picks up again. Also, it may well be harder to get to Asia in the future if it turns out that the market is overheated and overlawyered (which seems to be the case). So, if you get the chance and want to do it, why not. Quote
gato Posted March 17, 2012 at 02:39 AM Report Posted March 17, 2012 at 02:39 AM The training is probably more rigorous in London, and certainly there is a perception that it is such, so that would make it more difficult to move back if you spent your junior years in Asia. But as Kurtz said, you might be willing to take that risk if you really want to be in Asia. Or you could wait to come to Asia after you've spent a few years in London. Quote
thechamp Posted March 18, 2012 at 02:11 PM Author Report Posted March 18, 2012 at 02:11 PM Hi guys! Thanks for the responses. Thisreally is a great forum. Yeah I thought it was quite strange too, that they offered these special Asia training contracts. It's the same as what you're describing Kurtz, but instead of a six month seat abroad, you do 'a 12 month placement in Asia' You still qualify in two years though. The market in London is so hugely overlawyered that I think it is probably a pretty good move to apply to the Asia one. - assuming I can pass the Chinese requirement! Back to the books! ; ) Quote
togi86 Posted March 18, 2012 at 02:45 PM Report Posted March 18, 2012 at 02:45 PM thechamp, just a random thought. if you wanted to head out of london and/or got sick of Asia and wanted to move somewhere, Australia might also be a place to consider, as there's a shortage of lawyers here. A number of magic and silver circle firms are here, with a few more rumoured to be considering an entry into the Australian market, and those firms might be able to facilitate an internal move back to London... Quote
thechamp Posted March 20, 2012 at 07:05 PM Author Report Posted March 20, 2012 at 07:05 PM Cheers guys. Yeah Australia would be awesome actually especially considering all the Chinese investment in the West. Little bit scared of the funnel webs though! Quote
imron Posted March 20, 2012 at 10:31 PM Report Posted March 20, 2012 at 10:31 PM Little bit scared of the funnel webs though! Don't worry, the snakes eat all of those Quote
New Members dubya Posted March 21, 2012 at 07:14 AM New Members Report Posted March 21, 2012 at 07:14 AM thechamp, just a random thought. if you wanted to head out of london and/or got sick of Asia and wanted to move somewhere, Australia might also be a place to consider, as there's a shortage of lawyers here. A number of magic and silver circle firms are here, with a few more rumoured to be considering an entry into the Australian market, and those firms might be able to facilitate an internal move back to London... I am still finishing my degree but from my understanding there is a significant over supply of graduates applying for top and mid-tier law firms in Melbourne and Sydney. As far as I'm aware there is only a shortage in regional and rural areas (and possibly some of the smaller cities?). If you are considering coming to Australia, you'd better do a bit of research before committing to anything. Quote
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