Trainee Solicitors - Hong Kong

 Heller Ehrman's Asia Practice

Heller Ehrman is a leading U.S. international law firm with 650 attorneys and professionals in 14 offices worldwide, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore. Our expansion in Asia is the product of a strong and active client base. One of the first U.S. law firms to establish a Hong Kong office in the 1970's, our attorneys have been advising clients for more than 30 years on the business opportunities and challenges presented by China and a significant part of our Asia Practice is devoted to this region. Currently we have over 30 attorneys and trainee associates based in Asia, trained and experienced in the laws of Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and other jurisdictions.

 Our clients include U.S. and European multinationals, as well as Asian financial institutions, corporations, governments, government-controlled entities and trade associations. Our attorneys have a wealth of practical experience and an in-depth knowledge, not only of the laws and regulations, but also of the business practices and customs of China and other Asian jurisdictions. Core practice areas include: Capital Markets, China Foreign Direct Investment, Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions, Dispute Resolution, FCPA / U.S. Regulatory Investigations / U.S. Litigation, Fund Formation and Investment, Intellectual Property, WTO and International Trade.

Please see our Asia & China Practice page for more information.

What We Offer

You will have the chance to work closely with highly qualified attorneys in our different areas of legal practice. This will allow you to build on and expand your legal knowledge and skills.

To facilitate your development as a well-rounded attorney you will be exposed to different practice areas through a series of six monthly rotations during your two-year training period. You will get exposure to transactional work in our corporate and commercial  practices. Time spent with our dispute resolution attorneys will introduce you to our litigation, insolvency, arbitration and construction practices.

Who You Will Be Working With

Your colleagues in Hong Kong will be a highly skilled and talented group of attorneys, a number of whom are recognised as leaders in their practice areas. They are admitted to practice in a number of jurisdictions, including various states in the U.S., Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China (PRC), England and Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. You will also find that they are an extremely friendly and helpful group of people who share a wide range of interests outside of work.

The Training We Offer

Aside from the practical experience you will get from the work you are assigned, we have a structured training program to meet your needs as a trainee solicitor.

Your training starts with an intensive induction programme to introduce you to the firm, our systems and technology, the people you will work with and the basic skills to get you started.

You will then attend regularly scheduled in-house training sessions to develop your writing, drafting, thinking, negotiation, advocacy and presentation skills. As well, we have a continuous programme of seminars which will keep you current with legal developments in our different practice areas.

The Benefits We Offer

Aside from the chance to work with excellent attorneys on challenging legal work for top quality clients, we offer the full range of employment benefits you would expect from a leading international law firm.

We offer a salary which meets the market rate for trainee solicitors offered by international law firms. Upon the successful completion of your PCLL¹, we will reimburse your PCLL course fees. We offer a congenial working environment in modern surroundings. You will work in a helpful and professional atmosphere which will get the best out of you while recognising that you do have a life outside of work.

What Are We Looking For

We are looking for people of high academic ability with maturity, drive, presence and personality.  We expect you to have a minimum of an honors degree, not necessarily in law, at least of a second upper level or its equivalent. We place great emphasis on applicants having the necessary language skills for practice in Hong Kong. You must also have an ability to get along with people in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.

When to Apply For a Trainee Position

For trainee positions beyond 2010, you should apply by the end of May in the second year of your LLB studies or, if you are studying law in Australia or New Zealand, by the end of June in the fourth year of your combined degree studies.

Recruitment and Retention

The Selection Process

You application will be initially reviewed by our Regional Human Resources Manager. You may then be invited to an interview and to have your language skills assessed. Following this interview, you may be called back for another interview with several of our partners. As soon as practicable after any second interview, we will let you know if we wish to make you an offer of a training contract.

Commencement Date

If you are offered a training contract, you will start your two-year training period in the first week of September in the year your training contract begins.

We will keep in regular contact with you once you accept a training contract with us. We will send you Heller Ehrman publications and updates on the firm's activities. During your period of PCLL studies, you will be invited to the firm's social activities. This means that when you start as a trainee you will already have met the people with whom you will be working. Not being a stranger in the office will make your start as a trainee much easier.

¹ Hong Kong Conversion Examinations for PCLL Admission
For September 2008 intake, these new PCLL conversion examinations will apply to students without a Hong Kong LLB or JD. The next examination date will be in June 2008. Please contact The Conversion Examination Board (tel: +852 3761 1123, fax: +852 2527 0489, homepage: www.pcea.com.hk, email: enquiry@pcea.com.hk) for more details.