For those lawyers at regional firms looking to move abroad with work, it is worth re-considering the position on qualification. It is not uncommon for good commercial lawyers from strong regional firms to seek post-qualification experience in London with an international firm, with the intention of securing a secondment from the firm. However, it is also possible to move from the regions immediately overseas, if the post-qualification experience is sufficiently strong. TMP Worldwide recently placed two candidates from a leading Midlands firm overseas, one in Hong Kong and the other in Australia. On qualification, the department that a trainee qualifies into is crucial.
International opportunities tend to target the commercial lawyer.
One reason why newly qualified lawyers move on qualification is because their current firm either cannot offer a position, or the position is in a discipline that the newly qualified is not interested in pursuing for a career. Two issues which will affect marketability are visa status and jurisdictional requirements. As part of the EC, it has never been easier for UK lawyers to move around the European market. With the complexities of sponsorship for visas, the preference is for lawyers with post-qualification experience who can enhance existing departments by offering quality experience. If they can provide that, the leading Australian firms will complete the visa process on their behalf.