Recently, Tokyo reported Japan’s economy to be valued at $1.28 trillion in the second quarter. Japan’s economy grew only 0.4%- substantially less than expected. China’s economy, on the other hand is reported to be worth $1.33 trillion, replacing Japan as the second largest economy in the world. Although China was forecasted to be an economic superpower in the near future, Monday’s figures are the proverbial “proof in the pudding”. Japan has been regarded by the World Bank as the second biggest economy for more than thirty years. Based on Japan’s economic growth in the 1980’s, many economists predicted that Japan would surpass the United States and become the largest economy in the world. But, based on the last decade of rather stagnant economic growth, Japan has assumed the role of third largest economy in the world this quarter.

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Mid-Level Corporate Associate - Hong Kong

The Hong Kong office of this elite firm is seeking a mid-level associate with at least two years of practical post-qualification experience handling public offerings and general corporate matters. Ideal candidates possess Hong Kong qualifications and fluent Mandarin language skills. Candidates with U.S. JDs, or especially strong P.R.C.-qualified attorneys, will also be considered if they have a strong understanding of the Hong Kong Market.

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Managing Partner - Hong Kong

This global law firm is looking for a partner with substantial experience in corporate private equity or in real estate with a mainland China-focused practice for its Hong Kong office. Prefer candidates with on the ground experience, a significant book of business and outstanding reputation in the market. The firm is committed to the growth of their China practice and will match or exceed current compensation levels. Ideal candidates will have a book of business of at least 1.5 million, though the firm will consider other partners, counsel or senior associates. For senior partners, they must possess a book of business between 3m to 4m.Must have top academics and major law firm experience. Candidates must be U.S. qualified. Language skills, including Chinese, English, French, German and/or Russian, are a plus, but are not required. Read more…

Mid-Level Corporate Finance Lawyer - Hong Kong

Top-tier international firm seeks a mid-level lawyer with substantial experience in corporate finance for its Hong Kong office. Candidates must have three to four years of post-qualification experience handling general corporate finance matters. Must also have strong Hong Kong IPO experience, along with Mandarin language skills.  Read More…

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The international trend for law firms to expand to Asia continues as three top tier Australian firms announce that they will open offices in Japan and the PRC. Blake Dawson will expand to 5 Asia offices and 48 Asia partners this year with the launch of their Tokyo office while top tier Aussie firm Clayton Utz sets their sights on Hong Kong. The Hong Kong branch of Clayton Utz will be the first office in Asia for the renowned corporate and M&A firm. Minter Ellison is currently considering a Beijing location to increase business flow in China. Minter Ellison has strong base in Shanghai and hopes that a Beijing office will assist their domestic and international clients with their legal needs. As the Asia markets continue to rapidly expand, more and more firms are growing cognizant of the need for a local presence in these major business hub cities. With such lucrative potential in the Asia market, firms are looking to capitalize. These new offices will likely create openings for associate and partner positions in the Asia branches.

China Practice Partner - Los Angeles

This top US firm is looking for a China-related partner with corporate, dispute resolution and/or IP experience for it Los Angeles office. This firm has a strong Shanghai and LA based China practice. With a focus on both China and Japan, the firm is looking for a partner to act as a go-between the US and China practices. Top preference goes to bi-cultural partners and the firm is well-reputed as one of the top law firms for female partners. They focus on M&A, inbound and outbound investment, capital markets, arbitration and IP (preferably hard IP, but open to soft). The firm has no debt and offers a strong platform to build on, with a low cost base and a strong desire to diversify their existing platform. This is a great alternative to the Wall Street law firm experience.  Read More…

Senior International Capital Markets Attorney - Hong Kong/Beijing

The Hong Kong office of this leading law firm is seeking a senior associate for their International Capital Markets Group. Candidates must have at least five years of post-qualification experience, as well as experience in U.S. S.E.C.-registered equity and debt offerings, and Rule 144A offerings, including Hong Kong listings works. They must also have substantial experience advising and assisting on Exchange Act reports and general U.S. securities regulations. Fluency in Mandarin is required, along with strong communication and leadership skills.

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Following the last two years of salary freezes and lowered bonus structures, ex-pat packages in China and Japan have become a hot topic among U.S. and U.K. attorneys looking to relocate from the U.S. and U.K. to Asia. The top firms have weathered the economic crisis just fine according to data gathered by ALB Legal News, and most firms continue to offer competitive packages in Asia in order to attract and retain top legal talent. This is especially true of firms that, as newcomers to a given market, are anxious to increase their ranks.

Firms remain committed to the region, investing resources into their foreign offices, hiring or promoting partners, and offering competitive remuneration packages to their strongest attorneys, especially bilingual ones. While ex-pat packages have for the most part remained stable at top firms, especially in more mature legal markets like Tokyo and Hong Kong, we have seen more variance than ever over the past year. Increasingly there is a willingness to negotiate and make offers on a case-by-case basis.

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Corporate Associates – China: Beijing

This top international firm is seeking corporate associates for its Beijing office. Candidates must be dedicated workers with an ability to provide clients with excellent service. Must have outstanding academic credentials, work experience at a reputable firm, and excellent legal writing and analytical skills. Should have U.S., P.R.C., Hong Kong and/or U.K. qualifications. Ideal candidates will be P.R.C. nationals who are leaving U.S. after gaining experience with the U.S. market.

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Mid-Level Real Estate Associate – Russia: Moscow

This global firm seeks an experienced mid-level real estate associate for their Moscow office. Candidates should have at least four to six years of post-graduate practical experience in real estate matters at a reputable firm.

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Senior US/UK-Qualified Japanese-Speaking Leveraged Finance – Japan: Tokyo

The Tokyo office is interested in a native-level Japanese speaker with a US/UK qualification and four to six years of post-qualification experience in private equity and leveraged finance. Candidates must have experience with leveraged M&A transactions and the ability to independently draft, review, and comment on Japanese documentation. The firm will also consider a senior associate who is fully fluent and experienced enough to jump right into practicing.

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Junior Partner Opportunities - China: Beijing, Hong Kong

This global law firm is looking for M&A, inbound or outbound investment, dispute resolution and/or IP partners to join to their growing China practice in Beijing and Hong Kong.  The firm will also consider elevating a counsel or senior associate to partner as well as a more senior partner with a book of business of at least 1.5m to lead the China practice.  The firm is committed to the growth of their China practice and will match or exceed current compensation levels. Ideal candidates will have a book of business of 1.5 million, though the firm will consider other partners, counsel or senior associates.  Must have top academics and major law firm experience.  Candidates must be U.S. Qualified.  Chinese language skills are a plus, but are not required.

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Oil & Gas/Corporate Mining Senior Associates - Indonesia: Jakarta

he Jakarta office is seeking experienced oil & gas or corporate senior associates with Indonesian qualifications, experience and language skills. Candidates should have four to six years experience in upstream oil and gas or corporate mining in Indonesia. Must have Indonesian qualifications, experience and language skills. Read more..

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Managing Partner Opportunity - Beijing or Hong Kong

Position: This global law firm is looking for a M&A partner to head their existing China practice. Prefer candidates with on the ground experience, a significant book of business and outstanding reputation in the market. The firm is committed to the growth of their China practice and will match or exceed current compensation levels.  Read more…

Mid-level Securities (litigation/dispute resolution) Associate - Tokyo

Position: This global law firm is looking for a mid-level securities (litigation/dispute resolution) associate for their Tokyo office.  Read more…

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Andrew Hutton, formerly a senior lawyer at Paul Hastings, has defected to the Singapore office of O’Melveny & Meyers. With Hutton’s departure, Paul Hastings has now lost four senior-level lawyers from its Asia practice in the last year: US securities expert Joe Sevack, who left for Troutman Sanders, partners Maurice Hoo and Phoebus Chu, who left to Orrick, and Etsui Doi who departed for the co-head position at Foley & Lardner’s Tokyo office. Hutton will assume a counsel position at his new firm, and will be initially placed in Hong Kong before relocating to Singapore in early June 2010.

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