Salary for In-House Legal Counsel in Shanghai ?

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RockeR

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Joined: Oct 24, 2006
Posts: 3

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 24, 2006 - 10:16 PM
Post subject: Salary for In-House Legal Counsel in Shanghai ?

Hi all,

I'm a lawyer from Singapore (5-years experience) and I have been offered a job as in-house legal counsel at a semi-conductor firm based in Shanghai. It is a Chinese firm and it appears to be very big with plants in various Chinese cities.

I will have to relocate my wife too. I speak English and Mandarin.

How much should I be asking for in terms of salary per annum? What is the current market rate for foreign in-house counsel?

Thanks so much in advance for your help. Any advice is appreciated.

Kind regards,
RockeR

shanghaied88

Newbie

Joined: Oct 25, 2006
Posts: 4

Status: Offline

Posted: Oct 25, 2006 - 12:49 AM

I'm working for a US MNC as In-house Counsel with 8 years experience. Can't read or write chinese. Current salary is +130K-RMB per month (I asked to be transferred here so apart from the great tax deductions, do not get much else besides a 10,000RMB living allowance). If it's a local company, I wouldn't expect more than 20 - 25,000 RMB per month - that's atleast the range of the amount i'm going to be offerring my new local hire (with 5+ years experience and fluency in english). If it's a regional role i.e. covering more than just Greater China, I would add an additional 50%.

Have to say that during my time here I think there is a vast difference between a western/developed country educated and trained lawyer compared to that of a local chinese lawyer. The latter don't seem to think outside the 4 edges of a contract....but they are getting better !!

Good Luck.