For lawyers considering an international career move, Asia continues to offer compelling opportunities. From Hong Kong's position as a leading centre for cross-border transactions to Singapore's growing influence across Southeast Asia, both markets provide access to sophisticated legal work, international clients and diverse career pathways.
However, with law firms taking an increasingly selective approach to hiring, understanding where opportunities exist and how to position yourself effectively has never been more important.
So, is now a good time to make the move?
We spoke with Daniel Carroll, Consultant at Sonder Consultants' Hong Kong office, about the current legal recruitment landscape across Asia, the practice areas attracting the strongest demand and what international firms are looking for in prospective associates.
Drawing on his experience working with lawyers and law firms across the region, Daniel shares his insights into the differences between Hong Kong and Singapore, the importance of timing and why exploring your options early could be the first step towards a career-defining move.
Q: How would you describe the current legal hiring market across Asia?
Daniel: The market is probably best described as active but selective.
We're not seeing the kind of broad-based hiring that characterised some periods in the past, but firms are still investing in strategic hires where there is a genuine business need. Candidates with strong technical credentials and experience in areas such as private equity, funds, M&A, finance and disputes continue to attract attention from firms across the region.
What has changed is that firms are being more deliberate. They're looking for lawyers who not only have excellent legal skills but can genuinely add value to a team and clearly explain why they want to build their careers in Asia.
For lawyers considering an international move, why might now be a good time to explore opportunities in Asia?
The reality is that the best time to start exploring the market is usually before you feel ready to move.
One of the biggest mistakes I see lawyers make is waiting until they're desperate for a change before they start having conversations. Moving internationally is rarely an overnight process. Understanding the market, speaking to firms, and learning what's available can take months.
Even if someone isn't planning to relocate immediately, building knowledge and relationships now often puts them in a much stronger position when the right opportunity does arise.
Q: How do the opportunities currently available in Hong Kong and Singapore differ?
Daniel: They are both exceptional legal markets, but they offer slightly different career trajectories.
Hong Kong remains one of the world's most important centres for cross-border work involving Greater China. Lawyers there often work on highly complex international transactions, investment funds mandates, capital markets deals and significant disputes.
Singapore, meanwhile, has firmly established itself as Southeast Asia's leading legal and financial hub. Many lawyers are drawn to the breadth of work across Southeast Asia, as well as opportunities in private equity, project finance, infrastructure, arbitration and energy transition.
For most lawyers, the choice isn't about which market is better. It's about which market is a better fit for their practice and long-term ambitions.
Which practice areas are seeing the strongest demand across Asia at the moment?
Private equity, investment funds, M&A and banking remain consistently active areas.
We're also seeing continued demand for specialist lawyers in areas such as structured finance, competition, international arbitration and regulatory work. As always, the market evolves, but firms continue to place a premium on lawyers who bring a strong technical skill set and experience from high-quality international teams.
Q: What are law firms in Asia currently looking for when hiring internationally?
Daniel: Of course, firms want excellent lawyers. That's the baseline.
What often separates candidates is their story. Firms want to understand why someone wants to move to Asia, whether they've thought seriously about the relocation and whether they see themselves building a long-term career here.
Candidates who approach the move with genuine enthusiasm and a well-considered rationale tend to stand out. Firms are making a significant investment when hiring internationally, so they're naturally looking for lawyers who are equally invested in the move.
Q: Do lawyers need previous experience in Asia to be competitive, or are firms open to candidates relocating from London, New York and Australia?
Daniel: This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about the market.
While previous Asia experience can certainly help, many firms remain open to outstanding lawyers relocating directly from London, New York, Sydney and Melbourne. Every year we see successful moves from lawyers who have never worked in Asia before.
Ultimately, firms are focused on quality. If you have strong training, relevant experience and a compelling reason for relocating, you can absolutely be competitive without prior regional experience.
Q: Is there an ideal level of seniority or PQE at which to consider moving to Asia?
Daniel: Traditionally, the most active hiring tends to be at the mid-level associate stage, often somewhere between 2 and 7 years' PQE.
At that point, lawyers have developed meaningful expertise and can hit the ground running while still having flexibility in how they integrate into a new team.
That said, there is no perfect formula. We've helped junior lawyers move, we've helped senior associates move and we've worked on partner-level searches. Good opportunities exist at all levels when the circumstances align.
Q: How far in advance should lawyers start exploring the market if they're considering relocating?
Daniel: Much earlier than they think.
I often tell lawyers that there's no downside to understanding the market six to twelve months before making a move.
Even if you're not actively applying, those conversations can help you understand which firms are hiring, what skills are in demand, and how your profile is likely to be perceived.
Being informed early almost always creates better outcomes.
Q: What would you say to a lawyer who is interested in Asia but hesitant to leave their current firm or market?
Daniel: That's completely understandable.
Most lawyers who relocate internationally are leaving behind successful careers, trusted colleagues and familiar environments. It should feel like a significant decision.
My advice would be not to think of it as a commitment. Think of it as a conversation. Speaking with recruiters or firms doesn't lock you into anything. It simply helps you understand what's possible.
The lawyers who tend to have the most successful moves are often the ones who explored their options before they actually needed to.
Q: What are the biggest misconceptions lawyers have about moving to Asia?
Daniel: The biggest misconception is probably that opportunities are only available to lawyers who already have Asian experience.
Another is that moving to Asia means compromising on work quality. In reality, many of the matters being handled in Hong Kong and Singapore are among the most sophisticated and international in the world.
I also think people underestimate how global these markets have become. The legal communities in both Hong Kong and Singapore are incredibly international, and many lawyers find the transition easier than they initially expected.
Q: What should lawyers consider beyond the immediate opportunity when deciding whether a move to Asia is right for them?
Daniel: It's easy to focus on salary, title, and the role itself, but I always encourage lawyers to think beyond the next two years.
Ask yourself where the move could position you over the next five or ten years. Consider the quality of the team, the partners you'll be working with, the clients you'll be exposed to, and what the move might do for your long-term career trajectory.
The best international moves are rarely just good jobs. They're career-defining opportunities.
Q: Finally, what would your advice be to a lawyer wondering whether now is the right time to make a move to Asia?
Daniel: I'd probably tell them not to focus too heavily on timing.
Markets move, opportunities change and no one can perfectly predict what the next year will look like. What you can control is being informed.
If Asia is somewhere you've genuinely considered, now is a great time to start having conversations. You may decide the timing isn't right, or you may discover an opportunity that you hadn't previously considered.
Either way, you'll be making a more informed decision, and that's never a bad thing.
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