Hong Kong Qualified Lawyer

Q1: What industry are you in?
A1: I’m currently a Hong Kong qualified lawyer in a international law firm.

Q2: Can you tell us about your personal work background and career path?
A2: As a UK university law graduate, I was influenced by my peers, most of whom pursued training contracts at law firms. This path became a natural choice for me, aiming to qualify in my local jurisdiction after two years.

I ultimately secured a training contract with an international law firm where I completed 2 years of legal training before qualifying into the firm’s commercial disputes and regulatory team. There, I represented various financial institutions and licensed individuals in high-stakes contractual disputes and disciplinary proceedings initiated by Hong Kong regulators, including the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the Insurance Authority, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Post-qualification, I noticed a decrease in my exposure to regulatory work due to shifting client demands. Keen on maintaining a balance between commercial disputes and regulatory practice, I transitioned to another international law firm after 5 years with my previous firm.

At the new firm, I now specialize in regulatory work, primarily representing Hong Kong licensed asset managers and other financial institutions. This role allows me to leverage the firm's global reach alongside local expertise, assisting global group clients' Hong Kong affiliates in navigating local regulatory challenges.

Q3: What are the responsibilities of your current role, and what do you enjoy about it?
A3: I mainly support the firm’s clients in resolving their legal and regulatory issues and dealing with the local regulators in seeking relevant regulatory approvals, in regulatory investigations into suspected regulatory non-compliance issues, and in ensuring clients’ continuing compliance with relevant laws and regulations. These involve, for example, understanding the business and operations of the clients and how the relevant local laws and regulations apply to them, drafting formal submissions to the regulators on behalf of the client, meeting with clients to formulate strategies and solutions for their regulatory problems, reviewing underlying documents and evidence, and corresponding with clients and regulators.

I really enjoy conducting research to stay up-to-date with evolving regulatory requirements. The rulebook is constantly being rewritten, and it is my job to understand and interpret these changes for our clients and see how they apply to each one of them.

Q4: Could you share a memorable professional experience?
A4: There was one time where we represented a SFC-licensed individual (who was a senior employee of an investment bank) in a SFC disciplinary action and the SFC was looking to suspend his licence for a few years due to market misconduct. The client was the sole breadwinner in his family and any prolonged suspension of his licence would undoubtedly severely impact his career.

Ultimately we successfully persuaded the SFC to agree to impose a shorter term of suspension of the client’s licence before the case proceeded to substantive hearing.

It was truly memorable because the client was very appreciative of the work we had put in to achieve the milder sanction. It was a powerful reminder of the real-world impact of our work as lawyers. We were not just dealing with financial regulations, but with someone’s career and livelihood.

Q5: What personality traits are well-suited for this profession?
A5: The following are some of the key personality traits well-suited for this profession:

• Analytical skills – the ability to analyse problems and break down complex legal concepts.

• Attention to detail – oftentimes lawyers need to carefully review every piece of information relevant to a case to formulate a strategy or solution for the client; also, there is generally very little tolerance for typographical errors in written work

• Integrity – it is crucial to be honest, ethical and trustworthy in carrying out professional duties, even when it is difficult and challenging at times

• Time management – when lawyers often juggle multiple deadlines and clients, this requires good organisational and multi-tasking skills

• Curiosity – laws and regulations change over time, so a natural desire to learn and keep up with new developments in the industry is beneficial

Q6: Are there any considerations or limitations in this profession?
A6: Generally, law remains a competitive profession at every stage - from getting into law school, securing internships and training contracts, to building and advancing your legal career.

There are no shortcuts in law. Success in this field truly demands consistent hard work, dedication and perseverance over the long term.

Q7: How can someone enter this profession, and what are the promotion opportunities?
A7: In broad terms, for admission as a solicitor in Hong Kong, one would need to obtain a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognised local or foreign university. Alternatively, non-law graduates must obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) or pass the Common Professional Examination of England and Wales (CPE). Subsequently, one would need to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (one year for full time, two years for part time). One is then required to complete a two-year employment as a trainee solicitor in order to be eligible for admission to practise in Hong Kong.

Developing expertise in a specific area of law can accelerate your career progression. Promotions are typically based on a number of factors including your qualify of work, billable hours and client relationships. As you progress, your ability to bring in new clients and generate business becomes a crucial factor for promotion, especially to partnership.

The example of Mr Wong Yan-Lung , a seasoned lawyer and Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong between 2005 and 2012, is encouraging. He grew up in public housing estate and put himself through law school. This demonstrates that entry into this profession is possible even for those from less privileged backgrounds, with the right qualifications, dedication and hard work. For more details, you can refer to 資深大律師黃仁龍的CEO秘笈———永不止息的感恩 (capital-hk.com)

Share a work-related photo

By Stephanie, a Hong Kong qualified solicitor working at an international law firm

 Top thumbnail designed by Freepik