In early May, Hong Kong lifted its ban on the entry of professionals from overseas. For two years, the city has had some of the world's strictest COVID-19 rules, which led media to speculate that there would be a talent crunch in industries such as finance and legal. Now with the restrictions easing, legal recruiters expect to see an “increasing influx of talent” from abroad.

The difficulties of the past year have certainly made law firms in Hong Kong rethink their hiring strategies. Janet Chan, head of legal practice of Page Executive, tells ALB that the firms have developed a stronger preference for local candidates as they are more stable and more likely to stay for a longer period of time. 

Having said that, Hong Kong’s talent pool of foreign lawyers is nowhere close to emptying, despite the exits of some expats. Chan says that when law firms look at overseas practitioners, there is still “a decent supply” of candidates in the city, many of whom have been in Hong Kong a decade or more.

Gareth Dowse, managing director at SD Legal, believes this is partly due to the long-term investments in talent by large U.S. and UK law firms, who have developed lawyers from associates to partners.

Dowse says that as the restrictions lift, law firms will be able to select from wider pool of candidates as they look to expand in Hong Kong. “International law firms are still positive about Hong Kong’s position as a hub for international business, and they are maintaining a good level of hiring,” he says.

This is echoed by Chan, who says: “With these restrictions being lifted, it makes it easier for foreign candidates to relocate to HK and physically start work… I foresee banking, derivatives and data privacy, cybersecurity, and tech will be the practices with new talents coming into HK.”