The Legal Cheek View
From traditional businesses making use of new technology to start-ups challenging the status quo, Bird & Bird is the go-to international law firm for clients working in the digital world. For trainees this translates into top quality work: “Interesting clients, especially in the tech sector, and good international exposure,” reports one current rookie.
Bird & Bird takes a sector-focus approach and services clients across a full range of commercial law, including commercial, corporate, EU and competition, intellectual property, dispute resolution, employment, finance and real estate. The firm’s clients build their businesses on technology and intangible assets, and operate in regulated markets. To better meet their needs, Bird & Bird has developed deep industry understanding of key sectors, including media, entertainment & sport, automotive, aviation & defence, energy & utilities, financial services, life sciences & healthcare, retail & consumer and tech & comms.
The firm has had an established presence in Asia Pacific for more than 25 years. Its offices in the region are in key business centres in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. Bird & Bird also has co-operations with local firms in Malaysia, South Korea and Indonesia.
The Hong Kong office is located in Central Plaza, the iconic gold syringe-shaped building in Wan Chai some may think is a little dated (it was built in 1992) and verging on gaudy. Central Plaza is the city’s third-tallest tower after Central’s 2IFC and West Kowloon’s ICC. Bird & Bird new joiners need not worry, however, as the office, which occupies three floors, has recently been renovated and is far removed from the others in the building — tucked away in the “annex”. It even has its own lifts! The firm moved from Three Pacific Place to its current premises in May 2020. There’s a rooftop terrace and beer on tap in the pantry (but only after 5:30pm!) The meeting rooms are spacious with whiteboard walls and views over Wan Chai. There’s a noticeable — but pleasant — smell of air freshener that wafts throughout the office.
The office is open plan which encourages interaction among colleagues. They generally do all get on. “We’re a super friendly firm,” says another Bird & Bird trainee. “No complaints as there is no office politics so far.”
Bird & Bird only hires trainees through its summer vacation scheme. It takes roughly eight to ten interns and between two to three trainees.
Insider Scorecard
Insider Scorecard Grades range from A* to D and are derived from the Legal Cheek Hong Kong Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey 2022-23 of over 100 trainees and junior associates at the leading law firms in Hong Kong.