Asia as a continent is a significant global economic region and the key locations of Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore are firmly established as the hub of Asian trade, finance and commerce. These 3 cities boast highly developed financial infrastructure and are well represented by the world’s leading financial institutions and law firms. Hong Kong is generally regarded as the Asia Pacific headquarters for a large number of major investment banks and international corporations.

Our clients in the Asia Pacific region include US, UK and Australian financial institutions and law firms in locations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Vietnam and PRC. All of these locations consistently recruit international finance professionals and lawyers from around the world.

The Law firms generally seek lawyers from other common law jurisdictions such as the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Similar to the UK market, the international law firms in Asia will generally apply a degree of discounting to those lawyers who have qualified in a jurisdiction which does not have the equivalent 2 years articles training to the UK.

For a significant amount of PRC opportunities, being bi-lingual Mandarin and English is almost essential while Japanese is becoming more essential for capital markets and corporate lawyers and finance professionals in Tokyo. Nevertheless, those without language skills are still in demand provided they are suitably qualified and experienced.

As with other major global financial centres the quality of work is cutting edge, complex and challenging with a considerable emphasis on the banking, corporate and project finance, securitization, funds management, derivatives, capital markets, construction and energy sectors.

Salaries tend to be highest in Hong Kong (very low tax rates) and Tokyo, affording lawyers and finance professionals an excellent level of income and a comfortable lifestyle. Despite a cut back on the large ex-pat packages once seen in abundance, there are normally full relocation and bonus incentivised salary packages available.

Asia remains an exciting and popular destination for relocating professionals and is renowned for its stimulating work and social life, variety of cultures and unique energy.