Written by Joyce Lee, Associate Director at Lewis Sanders
2025 Q1 Private Practice Update
Law firms in Hong Kong are experiencing renewed energy, marked by increased hiring in 2025 so far compared to 2024. Several factors are driving this rise in job openings, including the lateral movement of partners with fresh mandates and client portfolios, thereby requiring more associate support. Hiring activity has also resulted from the need to replace fee earners who have moved on, which was not necessarily the case in a quiet 2024 where natural attrition was welcomed by some firms. Despite this growth, law firms remain cautious in their hiring practices, resulting in a highly competitive market where available positions are limited compared to the large pool of active candidates.
Recruitment activity is particularly strong in areas such as corporate M&A, financial services regulatory, restructuring, and disputes, with demand primarily for junior to mid-level lawyers. There is also a notable need for candidates with expertise in Web3, payments, and cryptocurrency regulations, reflecting the increasing convergence of technology and finance.
The demand for IPO lawyers is also showing signs of recovery, with firms reporting a busier pipeline of deals and partners we have spoken to indicating cautious optimism. PwC forecasts that IPO fundraising in Hong Kong could reach HK$130-160 billion in 2025, potentially placing it among the top three in IPO venues globally. PRC firms are increasingly capturing a significant share of this market, with several of them having been opportunistic in hiring quality talent while international firms tightened their recruitment in 2024.
As we enter Q2 of 2025, the private practice recruitment continues to trend positively. With the various geopolitical issues that are in play right now, especially the unpredictable world tariff situation, it will be interesting to see how law firm recruitment in Asia will be affected. In our experience, down markets in other sectors do not necessarily translate to legal recruitment, so we are also cautiously optimistic about the remainder of this year.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the job market or candidates in general, feel free to contact me via email (jlee@lewissanders.com) or WhatsApp (+852 6122 5272) for a confidential chat.
Q1/2025 Private Practice Update
2025 Q1 Private Practice Update
Law firms in Hong Kong are experiencing renewed energy, marked by increased hiring in 2025 so far compared to 2024. Several factors are driving this rise in job openings, including the lateral movement of partners with fresh mandates and client portfolios, thereby requiring more associate support. Hiring activity has also resulted from the need to replace fee earners who have moved on, which was not necessarily the case in a quiet 2024 where natural attrition was welcomed by some firms. Despite this growth, law firms remain cautious in their hiring practices, resulting in a highly competitive market where available positions are limited compared to the large pool of active candidates.
Recruitment activity is particularly strong in areas such as corporate M&A, financial services regulatory, restructuring, and disputes, with demand primarily for junior to mid-level lawyers. There is also a notable need for candidates with expertise in Web3, payments, and cryptocurrency regulations, reflecting the increasing convergence of technology and finance.
The demand for IPO lawyers is also showing signs of recovery, with firms reporting a busier pipeline of deals and partners we have spoken to indicating cautious optimism. PwC forecasts that IPO fundraising in Hong Kong could reach HK$130-160 billion in 2025, potentially placing it among the top three in IPO venues globally. PRC firms are increasingly capturing a significant share of this market, with several of them having been opportunistic in hiring quality talent while international firms tightened their recruitment in 2024.
As we enter Q2 of 2025, the private practice recruitment continues to trend positively. With the various geopolitical issues that are in play right now, especially the unpredictable world tariff situation, it will be interesting to see how law firm recruitment in Asia will be affected. In our experience, down markets in other sectors do not necessarily translate to legal recruitment, so we are also cautiously optimistic about the remainder of this year.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the job market or candidates in general, feel free to contact me via email (jlee@lewissanders.com) or WhatsApp (+852 6122 5272) for a confidential chat.