Whether you’re a Chinese or an international law graduate, we’ll give you an equal opportunity to excel in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with the world’s largest international corporate players. Globally, we’re renowned for breaking new ground in high-growth markets, but in Asia this has translated into a series of ‘firsts’. Generating new opportunities for leading banks, multinational corporations, and government agencies, we’re currently advising (for instance) on a number of groundbreaking deals that will transform the investment banking sector in mainland China. All in all, if you want to work on complex, demanding deals; if you want to blend your skills with lawyers from many different fields and jurisdictions; if you want the freedom to specialise in specific practice areas, on a broad global stage – this is where you need to be.
When clients appoint lawyers, they are buying knowledge and expertise; an apparently obvious statement that has serious implications for everyone who trains with Linklaters. When you qualify as a lawyer, this is merely the beginning of a journey rather than a destination. It’s a process of learning, development and growth that continues for as long as you work with us.
As a common law graduate, you’ll begin an informal two-year training programme specifically designed to provide you with experience across a range of practice areas. Under partner and associate supervision and guidance, you’ll get stuck into a broad variety of client work, equipping you with the skills to become a confident commercial lawyer. Following that, an international placement either in Hong Kong or London will furnish you with further global deal exposure. This is also particularly important from the networking side of things - you’ll be able to meet new colleagues and share experiences, as well as gain fresh perspectives and benchmarks.
Your on-going development is nurtured from all angles: a Group Trainee Solicitor Partner (GTSP) is there to support and monitor you; and there are specific seminars and training modules that are relevant to each practice area. You’ll also meet with human resources at key stages throughout your training to draw up plans and suggest further international placements or client secondments. The learning will continue long after you qualify. Even our partners receive strategic business leadership training from members of Harvard Business Faculty. As we’ve said, this is a journey and every day will be a rich, eye-opening learning experience.