General Information
In our Hong Kong office we recruit trainee solicitors two years in advance. Applications for training contracts for September 2014 opened on 1 December 2011 and will close when all vacancies are filled. We take 7-8 trainees per year.
Training contracts last for two years and each trainee will gain experience in four practice areas (including six months on secondment to one of our international offices). A trainee's seat preferences are taken into account when they join the firm and they are able to have a say in their own career development as their training contract progresses.
There is also a formal mentoring programme, with trainees being assigned to mentors with whom they can discuss career progression and any other issues which might arise.
Who is eligible?
We are looking for candidates with excellent academic records, good commercial and current awareness and strong communication skills. Fluency in English is a pre-requisite and Cantonese and Mandarin skills are strongly desirable.
When to apply?
Candidates should apply in the penulitmate year of a qualifying law degree. This allows them a year to complete their legal studies and a further year to take the PCLL course and pass the examination before joining us.
We consider applications on a rolling basis, so there is no closing date for applications until we fill our final vacancy for the year.
How to apply?
Most of our trainees are recruited through our internship programmes, which conclude with a training contract interview.
However we also accept applications from candidates who are unable to take part in our programmes, for whatever reason. Applications should be made via our online website - see link above right.
Application procedure
After completion of our online form, your application will be reviewed and successful applicants will have a short telephone interview with our Legal Development Manager. The interview will focus on aspects of your form, particularly your legal and commercial awareness and outside interests. If you are successful at this stage you will be referred to a second interview process, with a panel consisting of two partners from the Graduate Recruitment Committee and the Legal Development Manager.
Those with Chinese language proficiency will also be tested on their spoken and written skills at this time.
PCLL and conversion examinations
All Hong Kong trainee solicitors must take and pass the PCLL course in Hong Kong before they can begin their training. The firm pays for the PCLL course and any necessary conversion examinations. We also provide a stipend for living expenses during the PCLL year. For details of the PCLL course, eligibility and conversion requirements, see link above right.