Any UK Lawyers in here?

[Harley]

Howdy,

I'm a 6th year PQE Aussie, I'm in a top tier in Oz in MnA and I'm looking for a bit of a stint OS. My question is what's the market like over there for non-bilingual UK qualified lawyers? Is it even worth me trying to target the UK firms? If not, any outside the box options for a posting over there?

Really not interested in HK or Singapore.

Any ideas would be great!

[Russell]

Howdy,

I'm a 6th year PQE Aussie, I'm in a top tier in Oz in MnA and I'm looking for a bit of a stint OS. My question is what's the market like over there for non-bilingual UK qualified lawyers? Is it even worth me trying to target the UK firms? If not, any outside the box options for a posting over there?

Really not interested in HK or Singapore.

Any ideas would be great!

You could try to contact Michael Woodford of Olympus...

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

My question is what's the market like over there for non-bilingual UK qualified lawyers?

There is no market for non-bilingual UK-qualified lawyers. UK qualifications are utterly worthless in Japan (at least in terms of practicing law).

Is it even worth me trying to target the UK firms?

Absolutely...if they're in the UK. Why would they use you in Japan? What do you bring to the table as far as they are concerned? Do you know anybody here who could help you into the profession? If so, perhaps you have a chance.

If not, any outside the box options for a posting over there?

Language? Er, no. Qualifications? Er, no. Experience? Er, no. Contacts? Er, no. Based on that, I'd say your best chances of a posting in Japan lay here.

[Samurai_Jerk]

There is no market for non-bilingual UK-qualified lawyers. UK qualifications are utterly worthless in Japan (at least in terms of practicing law).

You're right that he can't practice law here but I've known a number of non-bilingual lawyers from other countries who've worked as foreign associates in law firms in Tokyo. I have no idea what the market is like now though. Probably as shitty as the market for every other kind of job is.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Probably as shitty as the market for every other kind of job is.

I dunno...market looks pretty good for Steve Jobs. Except, of course, he's dead.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I dunno...market looks pretty good for Steve Jobs. Except, of course, he's dead.

I envy him.

[IparryU]

I meet lots of "gai-ben"... just a foreign ass who cant practice japanese law... but some how have a job due to a connection in the company. they make damn good money, and in fucked times they still get paid good...

if you can get in, get in. but if you have no connects, i wouldn't get your hopes up.

[Doctor Stop]

I meet lots of "gai-ben"... just a foreign ass who cant practice japanese law...

"Gai-ben" are licenced and can practice law in Japan although their practice is limited. If they aren't licenced to practice law in Japan, they aren't "Gai-ben" and it's illegal for them to practice law in Japan.

[Greji]

Most fg lawyers here are employed in the same manner as a legal assistant. They usually specialize in the law of the country where they have their law degree and/or have passed the bar exam, or its equivalent. I know several that do not speak Japanese, but where it helps in dealing with their coworkers, it is not a necessity. Their work is in their own language.

To practice in Japan, you must pass the bar exam which is conducted in Japanese only. A couple of fgs have done it, but don't coiunt on doing that until you have around 50 years in country.

But as IPU mentioned, all of these working fg lawyers have connections. Candid glossy 8 X 10's of the new boss knee deep in his mistress would also help. No connections equals no job in the legal field (even for Japanese!).

[Taro Toporific]

I meet lots of "gai-ben"... just a foreign ass who cant practice japanese law... but some how have a job due to a connection in the company...

Law positions exist in Japan for gaijin lawyers and various kinds of paralegals but as others have said starting out in Japan without experience, Japanese language, or connections will be tough. Most most Japanese firms require some years "PQE"-- Post Qualification Experience-- for lateral lawyers, meaning that they expect you to have worked as a qualified lawyer for a period of time before they would consider hiring you.

Look at the law listings in daijob.com/en/ and you will see what employers here expect.

Besides a law degree, if you happened to have a solid knowledge in technology or a specialty field some inexperienced law grads have found work here in patent and trademark offices (and bitch and moan about being treated as overpaid proofreaders).

Using Google and the search term "tokyo patent lawyer", "japan patent lawyer", etc. you will find super-crappy employment offerings on various Japanese law offices' under their "Careers" web page of their website.

Examples:
http://www.ryuka.com/en/careers/apform.shtml
http://www.shupat.gr.jp/career/index.html

Other dismal sites that will help you ruin your life by coming to Japan include:
http://www.careercross.com/en/022500_careercross.html
http://www.taylorroot.com/overseas/asia/tokyo/

[Samurai_Jerk]

Try these guys if you want a recruiting firm specializing in legal: http://www.legalfutures.com/

[Iraira]

You need to gauge what coming to Japan for a "stint" would get you long term compared to Singapore or HK. Sounds like you've got all the makings for a great life/career in Oz, so I don't quite see what trying to come over to JP is going to get you w/o qualifications up front. Just to sink to the ultimate question: is there a desire to bang a lot of J-poon that is driving your interest in a "stint"? All males are slaves to their dicks, and emancipation is unfathomable.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

You must spread for Iraira blah, blah....

Fuck, it's so simple! I must be getting even older than I think I am. Why the fuck would you think of a career if pussy's involved?
Harley, it all comes down to cunt. You can pursue a career in the legal profession and become one, or pursue life in Japan and get some.

[Greji]

All males are slaves to their dicks.

I wish you wouldn't discuss my career goals in public.....

[Mulboyne]

FG members are quite right to throw cold water on anyone hoping to get a job in Japan without bringing much to the table. It's worth pointing out, though, that hiring does still take place even in a down market and you'll never get offered one of those spots if you don't put yourself in play.

Japan isn't brimming with opportunities but the earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima have all reduced the numbers of people willing to relocate. An executive who might have had his eye on a Tokyo transfer now finds that his family don't want to go. Occasionally, of course, an incumbent will also take himself out of the market for unexpected reasons. That particular case was dropped but this announcement appeared shortly afterwards.

[legion]

Howdy,

I'm a 6th year PQE Aussie, I'm in a top tier in Oz in MnA and I'm looking for a bit of a stint OS. My question is what's the market like over there for non-bilingual UK qualified lawyers? Is it even worth me trying to target the UK firms? If not, any outside the box options for a posting over there?

Really not interested in HK or Singapore.

Any ideas would be great!

I met a Northern Irish corporate lawyer here, he said it was a job where he could be bored and stressed at the same time.

[Harley]

There is no market for non-bilingual UK-qualified lawyers. UK qualifications are utterly worthless in Japan (at least in terms of practicing law).
Absolutely...if they're in the UK. Why would they use you in Japan? What do you bring to the table as far as they are concerned? Do you know anybody here who could help you into the profession? If so, perhaps you have a chance.
Language? Er, no. Qualifications? Er, no. Experience? Er, no. Contacts? Er, no. Based on that, I'd say your best chances of a posting in Japan lay here.

You obv have no idea, so why comment? I predict you're one of the many bitter social outcasts pulling beers in an Irish tavern.

Try these guys if you want a recruiting firm specializing in legal: http://www.legalfutures.com/

Perfect, thank you.

You need to gauge what coming to Japan for a "stint" would get you long term compared to Singapore or HK. Sounds like you've got all the makings for a great life/career in Oz, so I don't quite see what trying to come over to JP is going to get you w/o qualifications up front. Just to sink to the ultimate question: is there a desire to bang a lot of J-poon that is driving your interest in a "stint"? All males are slaves to their dicks, and emancipation is unfathomable.

Why Tokyo over HK/Singapore?

HK is full of Australians, Singapore is a bit of a B/Wankers posting from what I hear from close friends. I've spent a few months in Tokyo, enjoyed the music scene, shit works etc and I think a 12 month stint would be a bit of fun.

If I cared about my career, was happy paying a mortgage, having kids and driving an SUV I'd stay in Australia.

Adventures people, that's what life is about isn't it?

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

You obv have no idea, so why comment?

Apologies, I'm practicising to be a lawyer...

Actually, I do apologize (and do so sincerely, if you know what that means, being a lawyer and all...). My original post was too facetious, but I did have the honest intention of pointing out a few problems you may have wanted to deal with in pursuing your goal.
I am, actually, quite well qualified to answer your posts...and I'm afraid that of the several overseas qualified lawyers I know working in the legal profession are doing so in positions most industries call proofreading.

I predict you're one of the many bitter social outcasts pulling beers in an Irish tavern.

Sorry to be pedantic, but if you're "predicting," you're years too late. You did get the bitter social outcast part right, though....

Anyway, I wish you all the best off luck. You've certainly started off well by being a humorless, pompous cunt, which is a tremendous trait for being a successful lawyer anywhere.