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musicexec
Talker
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 84
Location: yiwu/shanghai
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Nov 08, 2005 - 08:49 PM |
 
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| Post subject: This lawyer survived the bottom of the ocean..now needs job |
Hey all. After reading LurdLuggler and Smiller's posts and the responses about the job market etc here, I feel the need to add mine. 
I am an American lawyer (admitted in 2 states) whose specialty is IPR and Mergers/Acquisitions. I have management experience in the Entertainment industry starting with the Director level and ending up as a CEO of a well-known industry artist management company. Now I have fallen in love with China yet seem to face a dilemma when apply and interviewing for jobs here. Due to my resume and background, I am always granted an interview (have interviewed at 4 top firms), yet declined an offer due to the fact I cannot read Chinese. I can speak it quite decently, yet my reading ability is still in the learning stages. Currently I work with a tutor daily to increase my reading level, but at this rate..I will be reading a newspaper in 100 years 
Can anyone provide suggestions on the job market, i.e. maybe some firms looking for someone without a native Chinese level, companies looking for an in house counsel, or anyone need a manager (undergrad is business admin and marketing)?
Help..I am about to jump back in the ocean and join all the other lawyers at the bottom of the sea. |
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zaq123
Reacher
Joined: July 19, 2005
Posts: 218
Status: Offline
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Nov 08, 2005 - 10:57 PM |
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You have a very impressive background and I think you should be able to find something here. At the top level it may take some time though, as it's all a matter of being at the right time and place. After all, there is only one CEO/GM/MD per company. At a level below there may be more options. However, you told us what you have done, but what can you do or would you like to do exactly?
Having interviewed quite a few expats for our company and I noticed that almost everyone had loads of international experience in numerous industries. There must be something about Shanghai that attracts these kind of people. This also makes things tougher for the people without international experience and relevant technical/managerial/language or language skills. Can't imagine Chinese reading skils would be that important at your level though. |
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musicexec
Talker
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 84
Location: yiwu/shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 08, 2005 - 11:35 PM |
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Thanks for the reply ZAQ. As for the reading ability, most law firms will hire lao wai lawyers as legal consultants/assistants and translation work is to be done. This is difficult, as I cannot read the documents. As for what can I do or would like to do...hmmmm 
Idealistically I would like to be with an international law firm handling M/A and IPR, but right now would settle for a mid level exec opening or in house counsel. This would allow me to get my foot in the door so to speak and get a better grasp on the Chinese and/or Asian market. Contracts (writing) and negotiations skills are my strong points coupled with the knowledge of marketing and business.
Yes I agree on a lot of talent with "world" experience. China is my 26th country to call home (parents were diplomats). In working in the entertainment industry, I was often in different parts of the world "working" with our artists. So to make a bad pun..I've been around the world and ayiayiayai. Being in many countries has helped me understand the cultural differences of many people in a work and daily environment. I think this is a gained skill many people bring to the table here in Shanghai. |
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frenchlover1999
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 18, 2004
Posts: 8730
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Nov 08, 2005 - 11:54 PM |
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I have met many expat lawyers in China. None of them could speak Chinese. They manage the firms, bring business and deal with clients. The locals are assistants and do the translation work. I am not sure how you got a completely opposite view of this (but you probably know this industry better than I do). |
_________________
That was no shark. That was my personal submarine. But enough of this polite conversation. What is the purpose of your visit? |
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musicexec
Talker
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 84
Location: yiwu/shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 09, 2005 - 12:18 AM |
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French, I have also met many myself. Right now in SH atleast the firms are looking to "develop" foreign lawyers and want them to start at the bottom so they can learn more international/Chinese law firsthand. Many of the expat lawyers who are senior consultants and/or partners usually have many years of experience in that one field (ie most places request 7-10) or were transfered from a firm back home. |
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zaq123
Reacher
Joined: July 19, 2005
Posts: 218
Status: Offline
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Nov 09, 2005 - 09:51 AM |
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I guess that's what makes Shanghai such an exciting place. So many people that have lived/worked in 3 or 4 continents. Some young, some very young, but all full of drive and ambition. And at the same time having a broad perspective on things thanks to their exposure to several cultures.
Try to network as much as you can, and make friends as many as you can, wherever you can. Heck, I almost offered a job to a guy who bought me a drink in some bar once. |
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SaraC
Barker
Joined: Oct 17, 2004
Posts: 197
Status: Offline
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Nov 09, 2005 - 10:13 AM |
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As an expat lawyer doing M&A in Shanghai at one of the top firms, I can tell you that my firm does not hire any associates that do not speak Chinese. Associates and partners negotiate in Chinese and check Chinese translations. A Chinese test (both speaking and reading/translation) is given as part of the job interview.
As the Chinese version of a document is often the controlling version and is the version that gets filed with the Chinese government, you cannot rely on a local translator's translation and need to check it yourself.
Musicexec -- There are probably exceptions to the need to speak Chinese rule, but it is getting harder and harder to find a job if you do not speak Chinese. In-house positions usually require the ability to draft in Chinese even! Another issue is that a lot of the big firms have started hiring Australians and Singaporeans, as the going pay rate for lawyers in Australia and Singapore is lower than the rate for a US lawyer. |
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musicexec
Talker
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 84
Location: yiwu/shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 09, 2005 - 11:27 AM |
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Yep Sara, I know those Cinese tests well.  I always do good on the oral but well character knowledge is still lacking so without a dict the translating becomes near impossible. As I was trying to explain to French, those who work and do not speak it, most often were transfered or they handle more of a marketing aspect for the firm.
Thanks for your imput Sara. |
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frenchlover1999
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 18, 2004
Posts: 8730
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Nov 09, 2005 - 12:10 PM |
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Interesting info, tks. |
_________________
That was no shark. That was my personal submarine. But enough of this polite conversation. What is the purpose of your visit? |
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musicexec
Talker
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 84
Location: yiwu/shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Nov 09, 2005 - 07:27 PM |
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Thanks to those who provided info to me. If anyone else has any knowledge of HR firms aka headhunters or companies in which have an opening I might qualify please feel free to msg me. |
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