Trainee Opportunities

Please note that we are no longer accepting applications for trainee contracts commencing in September 2012.

Applications for trainee contracts 2013 will be accepted from March 2012.

“We place great importance on training and development. We also believe that attracting excellent new solicitors is the best way for the firm to grow.”
Ian De Witt, Partner

TDW is committed to providing a challenging, rewarding and professional programme for our trainee solicitors. We recruit up to 4 trainee solicitors each year. From day one a trainee solicitor will be part of a team working on actual cases bringing you into direct contact with clients both in Hong Kong and internationally.

Application Guidelines

Who should apply

Second upper class law degree (2.1 or equivalent).
Excellent English language is a must; knowledge of Chinese is not essential but is a distinct advantage.
TDW welcomes both local and overseas applicants who have excelled academically and who ideally have had experience overseas gaining personal development.
An offer of a training contract is made subject to first-time successful completion of PCLL.

“High calibre of work and people, challenging tasks, good morale and supportive atmosphere. Everyone is always willing to help and answer any questions you might have about anything work or law related. Solicitors and partners in Tanner De Witt are excellent mentors and fantastic people to work with - I feel that I am making progress every day.”
Helen Au, Trainee Solicitor

How and when to apply

Application closing date for 2012 contract is 30 June 2011.
Please send your covering letter, CV and supporting documents including examination transcripts (high school and university) to Applications without transcripts will not be considered.
Do not send applications to the partners directly whether by email or otherwise. Applications sent to the partners directly will not be considered.
Applications for 2013 Training Contracts will be considered from July 2012.

Interview process

All applications will be acknowledged within one month.
First interview: Conducted by the Graduate Recruitment Partner in August.
Second Interview: Conducted by the Graduate Recruitment Partner and another Partner in September and October.

Interns and paralegals

We do not have openings for paralegals in 2011/2012.
Applications for internships for those students in their penultimate year will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Summer and winter internships for 2011 are filled.

“The level of responsibility and the quality of work I was given as a trainee was far greater than I could have expected at other firms. One of the greatest strengths of the training programme offered at Tanner De Witt is the ability to work alongside and learn from senior partners and associates. The support and helpful feedback I received during my training has provided me with the confidence to take on the challenges of practising as a qualified solicitor”
Naveen Qureshi, Solicitor (Trainee 2007-2009)

Some thoughts for trainees on how to approach the training contract

You will find being a trainee solicitor at Tanner De Witt different from being a student. This is a professional organisation, and you will come into direct contact with our clients.
You are not in competition with your fellow trainees. Each trainee brings unique experiences, skills and personality to the firm and will be judged on their own merits.
The more you put in, the more you will get out of your two-year training contract. It is up to you to set the pace of your progress.
Make sure you are involved in the work of all members of your department, not just the partners.
You can learn relevant skills from everybody here, administrative staff and professional staff.
Never turn away work — all experience is important.
The legal work you experience in any six-month period is determined by the market and not by the firm.
Have a realistic expectation of where you should be after six months — don't expect to be able to do everything that is done in each department.
Your expectation in each six-month period should be to progress from being a spectator to being a participant in the work of the department.

“Being part of Tanner De Witt provides me with the chance to work with some of the most experienced and talented lawyers in their fields of practice. To those who are keen on exploring their potential and shaping their vision, joining Tanner De Witt will be exceptionally rewarding.”
Ryan Law, Trainee Solicitor
By the end of the two-year training contract you should be able to decide (i) whether you want to remain in private practice (based upon what you see of the working lives of the more senior solicitors and partners in the firm) or whether you want to move into some other aspect of the legal profession and (ii) whether your character and method of working is more suited to contentious work or non-contentious work. Once those decisions are made it will be easier for you to plan your future. Please remember that the work you are doing now will almost certainly not be the work you are doing in 10 years or even 5 years. All private practice lawyers are constantly adapting to change.
Work levels and other factors permitting, the firm would expect to be able to offer successful trainees a position in the firm after qualification.

Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purpose only. Applicants who do not hear from us within 4 weeks may consider their applications unsuccessful and the applications will be destroyed within 6 months.