Do successful lawyers offshore need a different skill set from their onshore counterparts? And what about Partner recruitment? How do law firms recruit talent from onshore?
 We find out the answers to these questions…

Q. What are the key qualities a successful lawyer needs?


The key qualities are fundamentally the same as for any successful lawyer, though there are also specific demands that may not be immediately apparent to those coming from a City environment:

  • Successful law firms on the Islands differentiate themselves from others by the quality of the service they provide. This means that technical excellence and the ability to work efficiently and effectively are highly-prized attributes in all new recruits
  • Your caseload will most likely involve a high number of discreet matters at any one time rather than months-long projects, meaning that the ability to prioritise responsibilities, manage time and cope with a wide range of issues is critical
  • You need be proactive even when not in the prime position to drive a transaction and there may be an emphasis on legal analysis rather than transaction management
  • Exposure to a broad client portfolio – from private individuals to multinationals and Magic Circle onshore firms – means that new hires need to be flexible and able to work across different practice areas
  • Due to the client-facing nature of the role, excellent communication skills and relationship management capabilities are definite requirements
  • Sometimes it is life outside the new office that requires greater adjustment. If you’re flexible and can adapt to a different way of living, you’ll benefit from a very enjoyable lifestyle
  • Don’t assume, however, that professional life will be a lot more relaxed than in an equivalent City environment; offshore law firms work with and for onshore firms and high client standards must always be met

Q. Do you prefer to train staff up to Partner level or hire laterally?

The short answer is ‘Usually we train staff up, but not without exception’:

  • Most offshore partnerships are relatively small by City standards and, as such, the decision to invite someone to participate has a significant impact on the partnership as a whole, both financially and culturally
  • This means as a general rule that firms prefer to develop their senior people internally as it promotes the standards and culture of the organisation
  • There are exceptions, however. Whilst there is perhaps more risk involved, the lateral hire of a Partner can be justified on the grounds that it facilitates a strategic addition in terms of market sector expertise or jurisdiction

Q. How do law firms recruit talent from onshore?


Firms usually have an in-house recruitment team, either based on the Islands or in a centralised location such as London:

  • They work in partnership with reputable offshore recruitment specialists for many hires, using headhunters for more senior appointments
  • Other recruits come through direct approaches (for example, in response to an advertising campaign in law magazines or journals) or internal referrals
  • Candidates located in the UK/Europe will often first be interviewed by Partners or Senior Associates in the affiliate London office; this helps expedite the recruitment process as well as allowing for in-person meetings
  • Most firms also have offshore training programmes (designed for Islanders not expats) to provide educational opportunities for young lawyers who are interested in pursuing a career in law in their home jurisdiction

A final note is that you must have a work permit to live and work offshore; your eligibility for this will depend on your jurisdiction of qualification and post-call experience. I invite you to check out the other posts and find out more.

See also: 10 Benefits of Living Abroad

If you are a lawyer or chartered accountant and interested in working in the Bermuda/Caribbean region, visit our jobs portal to see the latest vacancies. Our site also includes a downloadable All You Need to Know guide which will tell you all you need to know about living and working offshore.