Take the law into your own hands

Transcription

1 The Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe Take the law into your own hands Hong Kong Graduate Recruitment

2 Foreword Thank you for considering a career with Pinsent Masons. We are an international law firm with offices across Asia. Whilst we consider ourselves a full service firm, in Asia we are particularly well known for our expertise in construction law, infrastructure and energy, corporate law and technology in Hong Kong. Applying for and obtaining a training contract can be a challenging time. There are a multitude of factors to consider, from the reputation of the firm you are considering, to its size and structure, to the quality of training and work you will receive right down to the firm s approach to work life balance. It is a competitive market and when you make a commitment to a law firm, you need to be sure you have made the right decision. At Pinsent Masons, we treat our trainees as valued lawyers from day one. You will have responsibility for client matters, have direct client contact and be an integral part of every case and deal that you become involved with. You will be expected to work hard, but you will also have fun: we pride ourselves in offering a welcoming and nurturing environment for our trainees and everyone who works with us. We are not just looking for trainees: we are looking for the associates, senior associates and ultimately partners who will help shape and grow our firm. Paul Haswell Graduate Recruitment Partner

3 Pinsent Masons Take the law into your own hands About us Pinsent Masons is no newcomer to the Asia Pacific region. We have advised and acted for clients here for more than 30 years, beginning with the opening of our Hong Kong office in We were one of the first overseas law firms authorised by China s Ministry of Justice to open a representative office in Guangzhou in Subsequently, we opened offices in Shanghai in 2002 and Beijing in We launched our Singaporean Joint Law Venture, Pinsent Masons MPillay, in 2010, and opened our two Australian offices in Sydney and Melbourne in Six regional offices and the accumulated experience of 30-plus years give us a deep understanding of the business cultures and commercial environments our Asia Pacific clients work in. Clients value our distinctively business-like approach, the breadth of service that we offer and our special blend of local knowledge backed by the strength and resources of an international law firm. We have the largest single team of infrastructure specialists operating in Asia and are recognised as the leading infrastructure team in Asia Pacific. We have built an international practice which spans the entire spectrum of the energy industry. Our clients range from oil super majors and utilities, to independent developers, equipment suppliers and financiers. Our specialist technology, media and telecommunications team acts in a full range of commercial and regulatory issues. In addition to acting in a wide range of commercial transactions, we advise high-net-worth clients and a spectrum of financial institutions including commercial banks, investment banks, brokerage and securities firms, property investment vehicles, hedge funds, asset managers and other diversified financial institutions. The Hong Kong office is also actively involved in CSR activities through its Starfish Programme. We have participated in art workshops with refugee kids, scaled the stairs in our office building to raise money for intellectually impaired children and run summer placements for underprivileged children. We also organise many social events, including bubble football and office hikes, but to name a few. I first joined Pinsent Masons as a summer intern and the open and approachable culture of the firm stood out to me. During my trainee days, I gained invaluable experience from assisting on a major arbitration in Hong Kong and participating in various domestic and international contract negotiations. The firm places a strong emphasis on developing the skill set of junior fee-earners and I was given a wide range of quality work and direct contact and exposure to clients. I continued with Pinsent Masons after my traineeship, specialising in non-contentious infrastructure and energy transactions. My work takes me across Asia, from domestic airport and landfill gas projects in Hong Kong, to negotiation meetings for Fast Moving Consumer Goods factory developments, power plant and mining projects, and international hotelier developments across Asia. Work and training aside, the firm is renowned for its friendly and supportive culture. Colleagues have an open door policy and are always willing to answer queries and provide guidance. I have no doubt that Pinsent Masons will provide an excellent platform for you to grow your legal career and cultivate your professional network in a supportive environment, as my experience has proved to me. Isabelle Chan Associate 2

4 Why should I work here? A Training Contract at Pinsent Masons represents the first stage of a focused development programme that will enable you to become a qualified lawyer and fulfil your potential. Our training programme has been developed in-house, which ensures that you receive a bespoke, balanced and comprehensive introduction to the legal profession. Programme Structure We are proud of the high quality work, early responsibility and exposure to clients that we can offer to our Trainees, and are keen to offer the best possible training experience to those who join us. This begins from the moment we offer a Training Contract and you accept our offer. We have a programme of events and communications which allow us to keep in touch with you throughout the time between you accepting our offer and joining the firm. Skills Development Throughout your Training Contract you will continue to receive the technical legal skills training you require, as well as complementary skills training, which will fully equip you for your life as a newly-qualified solicitor and business advisor. Salary & Benefits Trainee salaries are benchmarked against market rates for international law firms in Hong Kong and reviewed each year to ensure that we deliver an attractive and competitive remuneration and benefits package alongside our outstanding training package. If you secure a Training Contract with us prior to completing the PCLL, then Pinsent Masons will cover the cost of your tuition, provided that you successfully pass the PCLL exams and complete your Training Contract with us. Qualification & Beyond Given how much we invest, we naturally try to retain all our Trainees the Hong Kong office has had a 100% retention for the last six years. Once you qualify, your development does not stop. Instead, you start to focus your energy on becoming a specialist in your chosen area. This is facilitated by a number of bespoke training courses delivered by both your practice area and through the Pinsent Masons Academy, to develop the necessary skills to allow you to progress further in your career and take on additional responsibility. I graduated from King s College London with an LLB in 2012 and completed the PCLL at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I commenced my training contract with Pinsent Masons in September 2013 and will qualify in our Construction Advisory & Disputes practice. Everyone here is approachable, sharp and actively invested in helping you become a better lawyer. I am currently working on a large arbitration relating to the construction of the Hong Kong section of the Express Rail Link Project and have been substantively involved in the discovery process and preparation of witness statements, which has been intellectually stimulating. The training and quality of work here is excellent. Supervisors are always happy to answer questions and provide assistance, but give enough room and responsibility to allow personal growth. While times can be tough, we do have our fair share of fun, like board game night and dressing up as Cyberman from Doctor Who! Joining Pinsent Masons was definitely the right decision for me and I look forward to what the future holds. Arthur Ling Solicitor

5 Pinsent Masons Take the law into your own hands Who do we want? Our Trainees bring something different to the table. Our Trainees come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, but they all share common key qualities which we value and look for in candidates: 1. Hardworking with professional integrity 2. Passionate about the work we do 3. Eager to learn 4. Approachable team players 5. Bold and creative Top: Thomas Ho (2015) Left: Anita Jay (2015) Right: Kristy Wong (2016) 4 4

6 I trained with Pinsent Masons in the and was lucky to spend six months during my training contract on secondment with a client. Although it was daunting at first, it was great to get to know the client team and see things from their perspective. I quickly learned what clients look for when they instruct us practical and succinct legal advice. Despite being an international law firm, Pinsent Masons retains a friendly and approachable feel across its different locations worldwide. After 3 years of working as a solicitor in our London office, I transferred to our Hong Kong office and found it welcoming and easy to settle in. I work in the Technology, Media and Telecommunication department and focus on clients in the Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Services sector. My work includes advising global technology companies or their customers on software development and cloud services contracts; handling major IT disputes and arbitrations; advising on intellectual property and employee confidentiality matters; and dealing with data protection issues. After 9 years with the firm, I still find the work varied and challenging and full of exciting opportunities. Jolene Reimerson Senior Associate I obtained my Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (2010) and Bachelor of Laws (2012) and also completed the PCLL at the University of Hong Kong. I first worked at Pinsent Masons during a summer vacation placement in The supportive culture of the firm made me feel at home immediately and I decided Pinsent Masons would be the perfect firm for me to grow as a solicitor, and here I am! During my first seat in the Construction Advisory & Dispute department, I worked directly with a Japanese client for one month in their Colombo office on a highway infrastructure project assisting with the preparation of five complex hearings before a Dispute Adjudication Board. The experience was highly rewarding as I gained a great deal of hands-on experience with client management, drafting and advocacy. The learning curve was steep, but the supportive environment has helped me maximise my potential. We are a very social firm. We have Pilates classes, colleagues who gather to play board games and Friday drinks! If you like the work we do and are interested in getting high quality training in a friendly environment, read on and apply. I am sure you will find your experience here tremendously rewarding, just as I have. Ka Wai Ng Solicitor It is decision time. We want our people to make the most of every opportunity, so we give them plenty. Some might even seem like a bit of a curve ball at first. But, in the end, it comes down to your approach. If you are prepared to put yourself forward to have a say, to think commercially, to learn new things and respond to an ever-changing environment, then you have found the right place. After all, it is your career and it starts here. So go on, take the law into your own hands. Optional panel. Image can go here

7 Our offices worldwide Hong Kong 50th Floor Central Plaza 18 Harbour Road Wan Chai Hong Kong T: F: Beijing 10th Floor Beijing China Resources Building No 8 Jianguo Menbei Avenue Beijing PRC T: F: Shanghai Room 4605 Park Place 1601 Nanjing West Road Shanghai PRC T: F: Singapore 16 Collyer Quay #22-00 Singapore T: +65 (0) F: +65 (0) London 30 Crown Place (Headquarters) Earl Street London EC2A 4ES T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Aberdeen 13 Queen s Road Aberdeen AB15 4YL T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Belfast The Soloist Building 1 Lanyon Place Belfast BT1 3LP T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Birmingham 3 Colmore Circus Birmingham B4 6BH T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Brussels* Office 15 4 rue de la Presse 1000 Brussels Belgium T: F: Doha PO Box Tornado Tower West Bay Doha State of Qatar T: F: Dubai Level 8 The H Hotel, Office Tower (formerly known as The Monarch Office Tower) One Sheikh Zayed Road PO Box Dubai United Arab Emirates T: +971 (0) F: +971 (0) Düsseldorf Wilhelm-Marx-Haus Heinrich-Heine-Allee Düsseldorf Germany T: +49 (0) F: +49 (0) Edinburgh Princes Exchange 1 Earl Grey Street Edinburgh EH3 9AQ T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Third Floor Quay Fountainbridge Edinburgh EH3 9QG T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Falkland Islands 56 John Street PO Box 21 Stanley Falkland Islands T: F: Glasgow 141 Bothwell Street Glasgow G2 7EQ T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) St Vincent Street Glasgow G2 5EA T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Istanbul Büyükdere Caddesi No 127, Astoria B Kule, Kat 5, No Esentepe Şişli Istanbul Turkey T: F: Leeds 1 Park Row Leeds LS1 5AB T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Manchester 3 Hardman Street Manchester M3 3AU T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) Melbourne Level Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia T: F: Munich Ottostrasse Munich Germany T: +49 (0) F: +49 (0) Paris 21 23, Rue Balzac Paris CEDEX 08 France T: F: Sydney Level 5 2 Bulletin Place Sydney NSW 2000 Australia T: F: Correct as of 1 June *Representative office 6

8 Pinsent Masons LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales (registered number: OC333653) authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the appropriate regulatory body in the other jurisdictions in which it operates. The word partner, used in relation to the LLP, refers to a member of the LLP or an employee or consultant of the LLP or any affiliated firm of equivalent standing. A list of the members of the LLP, and of those non-members who are designated as partners, is displayed at the LLP s registered office: 30 Crown Place, London EC2A 4ES, United Kingdom. We use Pinsent Masons to refer to Pinsent Masons LLP, its subsidiaries and any affiliates which it or its partners operate as separate businesses for regulatory or other reasons. Reference to Pinsent Masons is to Pinsent Masons LLP and/or one or more of those subsidiaries or affiliates as the context requires. Pinsent Masons LLP For a full list of our locations around the globe please visit our websites: and