Career Clinic: Should I head for China or stay in the City?

I note that you're a trainee with a "top 10 City firm". A number of larger UK firms have Chinese and Hong Kong offices - Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Pinsent Masons and so on. Would you consider working as a NQ at a UK firm in China or Hong Kong? This would give you the flexibility of continuing your connection with UK law firms (and possibly UK pay rates) whilst practising Chinese law.

Jamie Hutchinson, editor, TraineeSolicitor.co.uk -23 Apr 2007 | 14:11

Suggest you apply to a firm like CC, and then you can have best of both worlds - perhaps get some experience in London first and then head out to China. It is certainly an exciting time to be there.

Anonymous -23 Apr 2007 | 17:06

With the vast number of US firms flooding into the China market, investment banks expanding in HK/China and increasing legal headcount, among other factors, the competition for talent is fierece, and Mandarin-capable foreign-qualified lawyers like you are GOLD in the Greater China market at the moment. Don't waste another moment - get over here!

Anonymous -23 Apr 2007 | 17:40

It's not a given that your career prospects would be better in China - certainly not at a junior level in an international firm. The training and quality of clients you can expect in London, and to a slightly lesser extent in Hong Kong, will not be matched in the mainland. In the PRC you can expect more responsibility but far less supervision and training, and less sophisticated clients. Broadly speaking you have two routes to partner: the long route through your current or another international firm, and the short route through a PRC firm. The former will offer you more pay and better legal training while you are an associate, but more slender chances of making partner. As an experienced associate from a top 10 london firm you should (with luck) be able to move to a PRC firm and make partner even as junior at 3-4 years qualified, but your take-home pay will probably be less. PRC firms are also generally less interested in developing their lawyers than their international counterparts. However, based on the people I saw made up in China over the past few years, if you're ethnically Chinese and have a UK qualification, you fit the profile of partners made up in the good UK firms' Hong Kong offices quite well. It's worth being aware that the 'traditional' route is to move to Hong Kong and work there for a few years, with partnership being offered on the understanding that you will be prepared to develop their practice in the mainland. There are, of course, other considerations - such as conditions, lifestyle and the kind of work and client base - but as your question was about career prospects I've not mentioned these. Good luck!

Peter, associate, US firm in London -24 Apr 2007 | 13:57

I've just finished a secondment to my firm's Beijing office and saw first-hand how keen we are for native-level Mandarin-speaking, English-trained lawyers. Send your CV to crystal.he@linklaters.com if you are interested in moving across to China (HK/Shanghai/Beijing) as an NQ. Good luck!

Trainee, Linklaters -24 Apr 2007 | 16:44

I understand your dilemma, I was there myself (a good few years ago mind) only in my case I decided to choose lifestyle over career and I stayed here because I love the lifestyle here, and I have now naturalised as a UK citizen, and we plan to retire in Spain. I do have some regrets because my compatriots are now doing very well indeed financially back home as local partners of big UK law firms, and work quality seems very satisfying, compared to what I handle. They also manage to travel back to London often enough, on business or with families and that is when I wonder if I was right to stay here. If I was to do it again, in answer to your question, I would stay here until probably 3-4 years qualified, to get good quality finance and/or corporate experience, and then go back home. You will be a very valuable commodity and I am sure you will have every success. I think part of the reason why I chose to stay and not go home is language. In a sense, I had gone native here and my local language skills were already quite rusty, certainly not good enough to do business in. Having said that, I think I could have caught up very quickly once I had gone back home and I was immersed back in the culture. All the best.

May, in-house lawyer -25 Apr 2007 | 10:13

As a former lawyer, I would not recommend an immediate move to China yet. It's better to gain a few years experience in London first where the exposure is better in terms of the sophistication of deals. If you miss home and genuine Chinese cuisine, then by all means go, but if you can bear fish and chips for a year or two for the sake of your career then I would advise you to stay in London as you are simply too junior to add any value from a legal angle.

Investment banker -25 Apr 2007 | 11:10

I believe if you work hard enough you'll make partner anywhere in the world. The great thing about the Chinese market is that it is growing vastly and there are a great number of international firms are present there. They are on heavy recruitment drives to cater for the local economy and seek local lawyers who speak the language and understand the cultures. This puts you in a very strong position as a Mandarin speaker and someone who has a degree in Chinese law. My advise would be to gain a couple of years experience in the UK and then look to move back to China. But also consider family, friends etc. Going back to China will not limit your career in any way and it might actually enhance the enjoyment if you have family and friends there. Good luck.

UK firm with Chinese presence -25 Apr 2007 | 11:20

China. It won't be easy making partner in the UK either. In fact, it would be better in China/HK for you. Corporate is hotter now than banking too and should be the case for the next few years.

Headhunter, Singapore -26 Apr 2007 | 03:46

To the person that asked this question, I reiterate my view that you should stay in London for a year or so after qualification to get international experience, but I have good relationships with Wall Street firms that have offices in Asia including China and I agree they are looking for native Mandarin speakers that have had international training. I am more than happy to pass your CV to my contacts in Hong Kong and Shanghai, my e-mail is richardli1997@yahoo.com.

Investment Banker -26 Apr 2007 | 09:57

The answer is China, without a doubt. As an NQ, you can expect responsibility in China that you would not get where you are. There is something to be said for enjoying the benefit of London training for a year or two, but, frankly, if you join a magic circle firm, the training and supervision you get will be excellent. Freshfields, Linklaters and CC operate first-class outfits in China. If you can score a gig at one of those places upon qualification, don't bother waiting. With the right attitude, a willingness to learn and hard work (in addition to your natural advantages), there is nothing to stop you from becoming a partner in China at a top firm.

In-house lawyer, China -26 Apr 2007 | 18:27