[CalmlessOcean]

Hi,

I've searched around the forums quite a bit but couldn't really find an answer to this question.

I'm interested in doing either the JD program at CUHK or CityU or the fast track LLB at HKU. I am currently completely my third year of a chemical engineering degree at a university in Canada, and will graduate next year (Apr 2009).

I'm just wondering if my academic standing is good enough for these programs - based on anything from rumours to people who got accepted, as if not next year I will apply to a greater amount of law schools (i.e. more back up schools). My cumulative average is a B (~76%), which is a 3.7 GPA from my University standards (does HK University look at GPA or general marks?). From my third year marks so far, I have 80%+ average (3.75-3.8 GPA), which puts me in first class honours.

I heard that the HKU and CUHK program is highly competitive, but this really doesn't mean anything so its hard to tell. Having an idea of how "good" other accepted students were will help me choose the number of back up / safety schools I need.

Thanks for any advice!

[gugu03]

You know I hve seems some dumb student getting acceptd in Cityu and HKU... so just apply for it.

[CalmlessOcean]

Originally Posted by gugu03

You know I hve seems some dumb student getting acceptd in Cityu and HKU... so just apply for it.

Hm, ok thanks.

[lawrev]

That GPA would be good at many law schools in the U.S. (where I received my JD) but we also require that the LSAT (law school admission test) be taken there. If HK has a law school entrance test, that is something that will be taken into consideration at admission time.

I know the two HK schools that you reference have a rep for being competitive, but I'm teaching several students who have graduated from those schools and they haven't bowled me over with their work. So I don't know about them....in the long run, what you do with your law degree is more important than where you graduated from.

[CalmlessOcean]

Originally Posted by lawrev

That GPA would be good at many law schools in the U.S. (where I received my JD) but we also require that the LSAT (law school admission test) be taken there. If HK has a law school entrance test, that is something that will be taken into consideration at admission time.

I know the two HK schools that you reference have a rep for being competitive, but I'm teaching several students who have graduated from those schools and they haven't bowled me over with their work. So I don't know about them....in the long run, what you do with your law degree is more important than where you graduated from.

Lawrev,thank you for your reply! I believe that HK schools do not require the LSAT, but I'm sure scoring well on the LSAT would not hurt my application. How easy is it for someone to go from US law school to HK? The problem I have with US law school is financing, as it is quite expensive and I am a Canadian citizen. Additionally, I'm interested in practicing law in HK after graduation.

You are teaching students - are your a professor or is this part of your company?

Thanks again!

[lawrev]

If you are dead set on going to a HK law school, and they don't require the LSAT, then I wouldn't take it. It takes alot of prep and costs some cash too.

As to your other question, I don't know how to answer it. I have an American JD and practiced law in the states. I'm not doing legal work over here. I guess it all boils down to what you want and where you want to work.

[hello_there]

"Additionally, I'm interested in practicing law in HK after graduation."


If you have any interest in working for a "top" (or any really) US law firm in HK, your best bet is to go to a good US law school (or British law school) and do well. With good grades from a good US school you won't have a problem getting interviews at HK offices of US firms, especially if you have any Chinese language abilities. I'm not sure if HK JD programs (honestly, I didn't even know that law schools in HK offered a JD degree) are accredited in the US, but if they are not you will have trouble taking a US bar, something that US firms, including their offices in HK, will require, unless you want to be viewed as a local HK hire (which essentially means less pay, no COLA, you won't be practicing US law, etc...). You can easily take the HK bar after attending a US school and practicing for a couple years. Brit firms may be more receptive to a local degree, but again you will likely be viewed as a local hire. However, if you are content practicing HK law and have no plans to work in the US, I'm sure a HK degree is fine. But, real local HK firms pay MUCH less than their US and UK counterparts.

Another note, just checked with people who deal with employment at our firm and we don't hire directly from either of those schools, although will consider lateral transfers above a second year. Was told this is pretty standard practice for foreign firms in HK.

[CalmlessOcean]

Originally Posted by hello_there

"Additionally, I'm interested in practicing law in HK after graduation."


If you have any interest in working for a "top" (or any really) US law firm in HK, your best bet is to go to a good US law school (or British law school) and do well. With good grades from a good US school you won't have a problem getting interviews at HK offices of US firms, especially if you have any Chinese language abilities. I'm not sure if HK JD programs (honestly, I didn't even know that law schools in HK offered a JD degree) are accredited in the US, but if they are not you will have trouble taking a US bar, something that US firms, including their offices in HK, will require, unless you want to be viewed as a local HK hire (which essentially means less pay, no COLA, you won't be practicing US law, etc...). You can easily take the HK bar after attending a US school and practicing for a couple years. Brit firms may be more receptive to a local degree, but again you will likely be viewed as a local hire. However, if you are content practicing HK law and have no plans to work in the US, I'm sure a HK degree is fine. But, real local HK firms pay MUCH less than their US and UK counterparts.

Another note, just checked with people who deal with employment at our firm and we don't hire directly from either of those schools, although will consider lateral transfers above a second year. Was told this is pretty standard practice for foreign firms in HK.

This was extremely useful information, thank you. I will have to look into this more. I didn't realize international versus local hire, thank you for taking the time to look into this.

[hello_there]

I've asked around a little more and the LLB at HKU seems to be the best way to go if you are really going to attend law school in HK. Nobody knew what a JD from a HK university was or was worth, but the HKU LLB (if you do well) will allow you to enter into a training contract in the HK practice of many of the large international firms. Again, you won't be practicing US law, and will be considered a local hire, but if you don't care about that it is probably the most respected option out of the three HK law degrees you mentioned. If you have any other questions about working in law in HK send me a PM.

[Willow Tree]

Hi there! If you don't mind, could you please comment on my situation?

I just completed my second year (2L) at an US law school and I’ll be spending this summer at a large int’l law firm in HK. I’ll be called a “summer clerk.” However, at any other large law firm here in the US, I would be called a “summer associate”. My summer pay in HK is also MUCH less than my counterparts in the US.

My goal is to work in HK and I intend to pass the NY bar exam. Assuming I receive an offer from this firm, I don’t want to be “under contract” for 2 years as a local HK hire would be (and there's also the difference in pay and work type). I would like to enter immediately as an Associate. How should I approach my summer clerkship with this intension in mind? Should I pass both the PCLL and the NY bar exam? Thank you for any advice you can offer. Your reply is very much appreciated~!