Norton Rose Fulbright (Hong Kong)

The firm recruits four trainee solicitors each year, selected from a batch of between eight to ten summer and four to five winter interns. The training contract is two years, broken down into four six-month seat rotations. Three will be in the firm’s core areas of corporate, banking and disputes, with the fourth usually a secondment to the firm’s London or Singapore offices. “We are able to work on high-profile cases, and at the junior level we are given a variety of work instead of specialising in one particular area, which allows us to understand what field we would like to specialise in later on,” says one anonymous trainee respondent to our 2022-23 Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey. Common trainee tasks include proof-reading, legal research and document drafting.

The training is comprehensive and there’s an induction programme for new joiners to prepare for the jump from study to practice as well as practice area-specific training at the start of each seat. There’s “a professional skills course, library training and seat planning”, as well as a “handover” from the trainee in the seat in which they’re about to start. Beyond this, they are assigned a “buddy”, partner mentor and have regular sessions with the trainee development team.

There are roughly 23 partners in the Hong Kong office and trainees share a room with a partner or associate. Our junior insiders tell us the seniors are “very supportive”, “always willing to teach” and “readily available for questions or clarifications”. Plus, there’s a “very good support network from the firm’s supporting staff”. Another rookie agrees, saying: “Partners and seniors are very friendly to work with and encourage you to contribute to meetings early on.”

Trainees report a “good” work/life balance on the whole, finishing work on average by 7pm. “There are of course times that we need to work weekends when needed, but not a norm,” says a current NRF rookie, adding: “We have a work from home policy that allows flexibility.” Trainees are given “one-off subsidies” for their WFH set-up.

The office occupies one and a half floors in Jardine House, an office tower in Central with unique round-shaped windows. Those with trypophobia: be warned! The office was “renovated back in 2019” so it’s stylish, modern and open plan. There are “large rooms” and a “comfy pantry” for lawyers to lunch.

When quizzed about the perks on offer, trainees highlight the “quite comprehensive medical insurance coverage” but not much beyond that… though the “free drinks” do get a mention. On the social side, there’s the annual dinner to look forward to, the firm’s involvement in the HK-wide Dragon Boat race and its rugby team events. The firm’s lawyers give back to the community too; a group recently took part in a swimming relay to raise funds for Splash, a charity offering swimming lessons to Hong Kong’s under-served communities. Budding writers or photographers can also contribute to the firm’s magazine, RE:, which is published globally twice a year.