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I'm a third year litigation associate getting calls from recruiters based in Asia trying to get me to consider litigation opportunities in Hong Kong or Mainland China. It looks to be mostly internal investigations work for American corporation's Asian subsidiaries.

Does anyone here have any knowledge to share? I'm not seriously considering this but the relocation package is quite substantial. I've heard that the Asian satellite offices are even more of a sweatshop and you're basically limiting your exit options and experiences to compliance only. I've also heard that once you go, it's very hard to come back to the US. But I don't know how much of this is true. The recruiter is basically saying that it would be easier to make partner at these offices, but somehow I doubt that.

First off, would you want to live in HK or China for a few years? Aside from the money. I'm talking culture, people, language, away from friends, and family, etc. Because if you don't, don't it.

From what I know, hours at offices there are even worse than NYC hours. I've actually heard doing investigations can be kind of fun / interesting from people I've talked to, but I wouldn't do it in Asia. I would think that you could go for a year, maybe two, and then come back without too much hassle (heard of people doing it). However, yeah you'd basically be pigeonholing yourself into that practice from then on and wouldn't be doing anything else (US attorneys in Asia don't have tons of leeway in work they can do). Whereas in the US, you'd have some ability to still work on a few different projects.

Maybe you'll be able to make partner faster? (Haven't heard this but I kind of doubt it considering 7-8 year tracks) But I wouldn't see it being easy to make partner in Asia and then move back to US. Moving when associate is one thing, but not at partner level, they'd want you to stay there too much.

Yeah, the recruiter's pitch is basically that I would have a better chance of making partner or become an Asia GC if I go there and stay there for the whole mile, which is not exactly my goal anyway. Though the extra expat package is pretty tempting. It's basically another bonus and would double my current biglaw salary.

I don't know about having a better chance at making partner. Honestly, it sounds like the recruiter is just trying to convince you to go.

I've heard the opposite from friends working in big firms in Asia (it's harder to make partner). One specifically worked in an office for 8-9 years and then left (when I asked him about partnership options, he said "good luck").

That doesn't mean there may be other benefits of taking the position....