Law Student Asks: London Or Shanghai?
Posted by Dan on April 28, 2007 at 07:38 AM
I am running this because I am so often asked by law students who speak Mandarin whether they should start their lawyer careers in the United States or in China. Legal Week, in its Career Clinic section, posted a question from a 3L who speaks Chinese whether he should start his career in London or in Shanghai or in Hong Kong. The reader answers to the question are quite informative and I urge those with an interest in this question to go there and read all the answers.
Comments
impressive site, the one of legal week. really not bad. It mostly covers UK set firms, doesn't it? it looks like they take into consideration young lawyers who are a bit confused, too. In my reality, I am still a law student (Bologna, Italy) and want to go-China. I've been on Chinaonline, too - suggested by you - and posted my resume to see what kind of orientation they could give me: I would like to go work in China, but am not really picturing me in a law firm although I would like to serve in legal PR or something. I admit to be confused, but to settle things, I keep studying my hanyu and try to get better, for I know my level is still too low (B). How am I supposed to move in this last year of law school? I would like to write my thesis in chinese/eu law in IPR from an historical point of view (the roots of copying, until today). Suggestions?
Posted by: Ric | April 29, 2007 12:05 PM
Law students interested in China must do the very same things as law students interested in a good job anywhere, with one addition, learn to speak and read and write Mandarin.
The most important thing is to get good grades.
Posted by: China Law Blog | April 29, 2007 9:43 PM
I am a paralegal in a samll chinese law firm and will get my lisence of attorney-at-law this july.My practise of serving foreign clients makes me fully aware of the difference in thinking style between chinese and western bussinessman.
Our law firm is located in a fast-developing city two-hour drive away from shanghai.My feeling is the local legal service market especially on non-litigation is underdeveloped.The foreign-invested company,they tends to hire shanghai lawyers rather than local one,even though we are more foamiliar with the local legal and bussiness enviorment.
Posted by: luc | April 30, 2007 1:47 AM
Agree that Legal Week's very good for this kind of thing.
I blogged my own prejudices when I saw the LW question but I think they bear summary. My feeling is that the optimum career path is -still - to aim to get a few years' experience in a really top firm in Hong Kong or the UK/US before making the move to China. China can be a wonderful place to work once you have found your feet, but from my experience one is likely to see a wider range of matters, and receive closer supervision when junior, elsewhere.
Posted by: Beefeater | April 30, 2007 4:41 AM
luc --
I agree there are some fine Chinese law firms outside Shanghai, but the problem for foreign companies is finding them. It will happen.
Posted by: China Law Blog | April 30, 2007 6:59 AM
Beefeater --
I generally agree with you. I like your post on this and I would urge readers to check it out here: http://thousandpatterns.blogspot.com/2007/04/tale-of-two-jurisdictions.html
Posted by: China Law Blog | April 30, 2007 7:01 AM
Everything I have heard during the recruiting process echoes Beefeater's comment.
Posted by: Ben | April 30, 2007 9:13 AM
Good post, Dan. This info is helpful. I did not know about this web site. Thanks!
Posted by: Chris Carr | April 30, 2007 11:04 AM