Associate, Disputes

Herbert Smith Freehills; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in Hong Kong seeks a Hong Kong-qualified litigation lawyer to join its market-leading Disputes team. The Associate will work closely with partners on a wide spectrum of cross-border commercial disputes and arbitration, with exposure to multinational clients and high-stakes matters.

This full-time role requires 3–6 years’ PQE, a strong academic record, fluency in English and Mandarin, and a proactive, collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years’ post-qualification experience within a Disputes Practice.
• Hong Kong qualified lawyer.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Mandarin.
• Excellent academic record.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a diverse portfolio of commercial litigation matters.
• Provide strategic legal advice to clients to meet objectives.
• Work with partners on complex and high-stakes litigation at all stages of court proceedings.

Skills

Litigation

Legal research

Client management

Mandarin

English

Job description

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

About the Team

Our litigation team advises on all types of complex, large-scale commercial disputes and is the first port of call for clients with significant litigious problems. Through collaborating with other practice areas, we provide a unique full-service offering to clients. Our depth of expertise and diversity across a range of sectors and industries enables us to have a good understanding of issues that our clients may face. We provide specialist advice across industries, and offer commercially focused and practical solutions for complex disputes affecting our clients’ interests across industries, geographic locations and jurisdictions, including cross-border matters at the intersection of domestic and international legal orders.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Hong Kong qualified litigation lawyer to join our market-leading Hong Kong Dispute Resolution team (Tier 1- Legal 500, Band 1 – Chambers & Partners, with ranked and leading partners). The premier choice for Asian and international corporates, listed companies, investment banks, funds and high-profile individuals and families. This role will be based in our Hong Kong office.

The Associate will work closely with our litigation partners, Jojo Fan, Paul Quinn, Rachael Shek and Truman Mak as well as lawyers across the HSF Kramer network. You will have the opportunity to work across a wide spectrum of cross border matters, including litigation and arbitration. We can provide and support opportunities to work in a global team of highly ambitious and collaborative lawyers in advising our clients in every industry sector, ranging from multinational corporations and major financial institutions through to governments, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and emerging tech companies. We also provide exposure to our international network and support personal and professional development.

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Strong technical excellence and experience in leading and managing a diverse portfolio of commercial litigation matters from an international private practice environment.
• Providing and tailoring robust, strategic legal advice to clients to ensure that their needs and objectives in contentious matters are met efficiently and professionally.
• Working with partners on complex and high stakes litigation at all stages of court proceedings.
• 3-6 years’ post qualification experience within a Disputes Practice.
• Hong Kong qualified lawyer.
• An excellent academic record coupled with strong legal skills and legal project management expertise.
• An excellent client manner and success in developing strong relationships with both colleagues and clients.
• A proactive approach and desire to be an integral member of our leading and supportive team.
• Interest in leveraging AI and legal technology to improve efficiency and ways of working
• Fluent written and spoken English and Mandarin skills.

Team

Disputes

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

Hong Kong

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.