In an indication that domestic firms are keen to increase their international capabilities, Han Kun has sent its partners to New York in search of recruits at one of the US's legal job fairs. The firm hopes to staff its two new branches – Shanghai and Shenzhen – with internationally qualified partners and associates to help build a global clientele.
Fangda & Partners also frequents the same job fairs; the firm attends these fairs specifically to target Chinese students who have gone to universities in New York to study for their LLM. Every year, students are recruited to join the firm as associates. “Having international expertise has become increasingly important over the years, especially now if firms are trying to expand globally and attract more MNCs in China,” said Gordon Gao, partner at Fangda. “Being bilingual is very important. If the lawyer is a foreigner, he must have some Chinese culture and practice experience, and if he is Chinese he must be able to speak English. Potential candidates at these job fairs usually have that capability,” he added.
Firms like Global and Shanghai Jade & Fountain have different approaches. Both firms prefer to select their international experts by word of mouth and by using their experience of working with potential candidates. “We usually pick from those with whom we have worked with before on deals, because we would then have solid knowledge of his experience, capabilities and strengths. Recommendations from friends and clients are also highly regarded,” said Liu Jinrong, managing partner at Global, who recently recruited three new partners and two teams of international lawyers from international firms to boost existing and upcoming offices.
Jade & Fountain is also planning on a headcount increase to gear up its international capabilities. The firm has confirmed three new partners who will join the team in the next three months. “Our new partners have over a decade of experience in prominent US firms and were recommended to us by friends,” said Mark Ho, partner at Jade & Fountain.
The firm plans to take its expansion one step at a time and has excluded the possibility of recruiting from job fairs at this time. “I think quite naturally our next office would be in Beijing but we would still stick to recommendations because I believe it promises proven capabilities,” added Ho.
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