Foreign Legal Consultant in Asia? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had any experience working as an FLC in Asia, mainly Japan or Korea? Is it realistic to go there as a relatively young attorney (right after graduation or after 2-3 years in the US) or do people tend to lateral in as partners after amassing much more experience?

Also, how is the compensation and treatment in general? I've heard mixed things, some saying they don't want you but keep you around just in case they need you for something, and others saying you get treated much better than the local attorneys.

[Anonymous User]

As an FLC you will be a second class citizen. So never start out as one unless you have no other option.

[Anonymous User]

They just don't hire that many entry-level attorneys in the first place. I can't recall the last time I saw a job posting for a recent graduate. It's that unusual. Of the large firms that do hire summer associates from the US, they rarely extend offers to return post-graduation. Naturally, training is less structured because it just hasn't been done and there aren't enough senior attorneys to pass the work down. I don't think you can specialize by starting out there. Work flow seemed sporadic, too. This usually meant you just did whatever you were asked to do, not based on practice group.

The firm knows all this. That's why native speakers with 3+ years big law experience in the US seem most preferred, with emphasis on corporate work. Compensation was pretty good and as high as it gets in the country. The thing is, you will be working mostly with Asian partners. Do you have professional work experience in an Asian country? The vibe is quite different and my perception was that FLC will rarely lead the entire case. Partnership track seems elusive, as well.

[Anonymous User]

They just don't hire that many entry-level attorneys in the first place. I can't recall the last time I saw a job posting for a recent graduate. It's that unusual. Of the large firms that do hire summer associates from the US, they rarely extend offers to return post-graduation. Naturally, training is less structured because it just hasn't been done and there aren't enough senior attorneys to pass the work down. I don't think you can specialize by starting out there. Work flow seemed sporadic, too. This usually meant you just did whatever you were asked to do, not based on practice group.

The firm knows all this. That's why native speakers with 3+ years big law experience in the US seem most preferred, with emphasis on corporate work. Compensation was pretty good and as high as it gets in the country. The thing is, you will be working mostly with Asian partners. Do you have professional work experience in an Asian country? The vibe is quite different and my perception was that FLC will rarely lead the entire case. Partnership track seems elusive, as well.

Thanks. OP here. I'm Asian, have professional work experience in one of the two countries mentioned, and native in one language and proficient in the other.

I summered at one of the bigger firms in one of the countries and the "we generally don't hire new graduates" was definitely the vibe I got as well, but I was wondering how many years of US practice people typically have before lateralling in. Most of the FLCs I worked with were partners so I was wondering if they lateralled in as partners or if they went in as associates and rose through the ranks.

[Anonymous User]

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