Comments on: So You Want to be a China Lawyer?

By: Jessie

Jessie — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:11:42 +0000

Jessie…

Have enjoyed your site very much and benefited from the information. Thank You….

By: Stan

Stan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:50:56 +0000

young industry + young lawyers + non-transparent system = what Chris said

One note of clarification: China has too many inexperienced/bad lawyers, but is sorely in need of experienced/good lawyers to facilitate the huge increase in domestic and cross-border transactions.

By: Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:28:36 +0000

Now that is well said. China does possess far too many lawyers both Chinese and Foreign who are little better than fast talking harem scarem types angling for large hourly rates or upfront payments only to then do bugger all.

By: Law Office of Todd L. Platek

Law Office of Todd L. Platek — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:22:14 +0000

Chris: While I agree with you on all your points, I have been frighteningly confronted by Chinese lawyers in China who pontificated (that was the very word I used 2 years ago to describe to an American corporation what Mr. X was mumbling about the law, and he was horribly wrong) on what they thought the law was, and how they thought our client figured into the litigation mix. There is no substitute, in any setting, for competence and careful work, and elimination of fast talk.

By: Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:06:39 +0000

Oops ! Stan please add:

many of them pontificate absurdly on matters of law they are neither qualified for and have no real experience to comment on. It’s Chinese lawyers you need in China. 99% of the foreign lawyers operating are de facto salesmen.

By: Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:04:07 +0000

Personally I see most foreign lawyers as fulfilling less of a China legal role than as a ‘marketing’ bridge between their foreign clients needs and the real skills and efforts of their Chinese legal colleagues. As for foreign lawyers coming to China with no Chinese language skills – I’d forget it and head off to somewhere you speak the language. I’ve never understood the need to have foreign lawyers in China and many of pontificate absurdly on th

By: Law Office of Todd L. Platek

Law Office of Todd L. Platek — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:07:05 +0000

I’d qualify that, by adding, marry a Chinese person who is willing to remain in China for the long-term.

By: Stan

Stan — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:49:55 +0000

I would definitely go along with that. I always assume that new entrants to the market are kids coming out of school, but that is often not the case.

I have seen a lot of people drag their spouses over here and then struggle with disagreement over how long to stay. A supportive spouse will usually agree to the move, but after a few years, things can change.

What’s the best advice? Well, marry a Chinese person of course, and stay here long-term!

By: Law Office of Todd L. Platek

Law Office of Todd L. Platek — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:37:48 +0000

Stan, another ingredient to the mix is one which your former employer clued me in on long ago, and about which I was in denial until the war hatchet came flying. If your spouse is not with you in China, or is not on-board somehow, there is a strong likelihood that the job won’t work out. There is a large amount of divorce occuring among us talented China-types, and that should be factored in. The stress on family should be considered in the decision-making process.