International firm moves (May 2019)

“Is it possible to move directly to an international firm if I am not from a Big Four firm?” While the ‘brand name’ of a firm holds some sway, another factor to consider is how common or specialized the relevant practice area is. For general B&F, M&A, capital markets and disputes roles, a flood of applicants may mean that the hiring manager applies a first filter based on the applicants’ firms which even then may still yield a list of over 10 applicants from Big Four firms. Typically, firms shortlist 5-10 applicants for interviews. However, where the practice area in question is more specialized, the firm may look beyond the Big Four firms where there is a dearth of applicants or where there are other reputable/boutique firms that have developed a niche in such areas. This is evident in the month of May, where you can see one Employment and two Ship/Maritime Finance moves originating from non-Big Four firms, contrasted against a general Banking & Finance move where the candidate came from Rajah & Tann.

If you are entering or just starting out in private practice, it is worth having a think about how general or specialized your area of practice is and how this may impact the sheer numbers and competitiveness you face when making a future move. Passion aside, it may be worth considering whether taking up a more niche specialization will position you better for your next career move. If you wish to consult us, feel free to drop us a note at hello@lexmatch.co.