For Norton Rose’s new partner Michael Yu, it’s more of a “been there, done that” mindset. Yu had been a partner with Beijing-based Global Law Offices for more than five years, he also practised at Jingtian & Gongcheng. “After being a partner at a PRC firm for so long, I am now ready for a role with new responsibilities,” he said.

Simmons’ new addition – Davis Wang – cites a more specific career driver. “My expertise has a very strong industrial focus: I advise TMT and financial institutions on their private equity and venture capital investments, and these sectors fit nicely with Simmons & Simmons’ focal points,” Wang said. He also stated that the choice to zero in on specific industries according to individual expertise is the most efficient strategy in the competitive legal market today. “Clients, especially those who trade in highly regulated sectors like TMT, energy, infrastructure and life sciences, are increasingly demanding technical expertise, as well as legal advice, and this is what many local [firms] lack,” said Wang.

When asked about the most significant change they experienced moving to an international firm, both Yu and Wang said that they were overwhelmed by how they have been integrated into their respective firms. The level of teamwork, they say, is something they had never experienced. “The firm is extremely organised and is also structured with a lot of support from other teams,” said Wang.  At local firms, Yu explained, partners usually work individually so the transition into an international firm introduces a new form of interdependence. ”The teamwork at Norton Rose stems from its huge network on a world-wide basis,” he said.

The common denominator of both Yu and Wang’s decision to move away from PRC firms is the concept of internationalising. Both partners believe that working in an international firm will provide more opportunities to work on large China-related, cross-border projects that have stronger international elements. Yu likens his international ambitions to basketball prodigy Yao Ming’s decision to join the National Basketball Association (NBA). “When Yao Ming first joined the NBA, he said that if one wants to be the absolute strongest, you need to get onto a board which can propel you the furthest,” he said. “I have always wanted to be a part of a huge transaction which involved at least five or six global offices. That sense of success is very important to me and unfortunately it is also a form of adrenalin I never had a chance to experience in a local firm.”

Higher rates and client retention
The broader base of international clients and stronger support enjoyed by lawyers who have made the move to international firms come with a price. New challenges await – including trying to retain existing long-term clients given the drastic increase in their charge-out rates. “I have to make sure that my clients are going to be okay with my new rates. Inevitably some will be lost and I am going to have to rebuild some of this client base,” said Yu.

Wang, however, is more optimistic about his clients’ commitments. “Outside of China, it is a different legal landscape – the legal system is different and so is the market. Most of my long-term clients are multi-national corporations and knowing that I now have a broader network and stronger support, they will expect a higher charge-out rate - but I don’t think it will be an issue,” he said. ALB

Related stories:

• Global's new hires underline job market trend (4 March 2010)
• Simmons & Simmons hires King & Wood partner for Beijing opening (18 June 2010)
• New Nortons partner defies movement trends (15 June 2010)