Commercial Litigation Associate | 5-9 Years PQE | Int'l Law Firm | HKG

WHO

A UK-founded international law firm with a growing Hong Kong disputes practice is seeking a Senior Associate to join its commercial litigation team. The firm operates across Asia-Pacific and beyond, with a culture that prizes technical excellence and close collaboration between partners and associates. This is a rare opportunity for a litigator who is ready to step into a broader role — one that combines high-quality disputes work with real ownership of the practice's market presence and business development. The successful candidate will report directly to the partner leading the Hong Kong litigation practice and will work closely with two junior associates whom they will supervise and help mentor. The firm offers a supportive, collegiate environment where entrepreneurial lawyers are given the space and encouragement to grow.

WHAT

The successful candidate will handle a broad commercial litigation and dispute resolution caseload, including contractual disputes, shareholder and joint venture disputes, debt recovery, and regulatory and compliance matters. They will run matters independently, manage the two junior associates on the team, and take an active role in shaping the practice's direction. A significant and explicit part of this role involves business development — attending networking events, building and nurturing client relationships across the financial services and corporate sectors, and serving as a visible, outgoing face of the team in the market. The hiring partner is looking for someone who will embrace this side of the work with energy and enthusiasm, not reluctantly. This is a genuine growth and development opportunity for a litigator who wants to build something of their own within a collaborative and supportive firm, rather than being one of many senior associates at a larger organisation. Prior secondment experience with a financial institution or multinational corporate would be a clear advantage, as it brings an existing network to leverage from day one.

YOU

You will be a Hong Kong-qualified solicitor with 5 to 9 years' post-qualification experience in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, gained at a recognised international or leading domestic firm. You will be entrepreneurial in mindset — genuinely open to networking, proactive about client relationship development, and comfortable being the person who represents the team at market events and industry gatherings. An outgoing personality is essential to support the partner in the team's overall BD efforts and is looking for someone who will thrive in the social and relationship-building dimensions of the role. You should be ready to supervise and mentor junior associates, with the patience and communication skills to help them develop. Strong technical ability is a given — the hiring partner will expect excellent drafting, research, and advocacy skills — but what will set you apart is the motivation to treat this as a platform for your own growth, not just another fee-earning seat. This is the ideal platform for someone to establish their longterm partnership credentials - both from a technical standpoint (with the quality of matters) and the opportunity to be groomed into an effective businessman or woman. Secondment experience with a bank, financial institution, or multinational corporate is highly desirable but not a strict requirement. Fluency in English and Cantonese is essential; Mandarin is a significant advantage.