For many lawyers, the idea of working overseas can seem like a daunting prospect. A career in law can often be limited by the regions in which your qualification allows you to practice, while at a glance many foreign economies can seem more precarious than Australia for a lawyer. However, for those brave and enterprising enough, the fruits of overseas legal opportunities can be bountiful.
Australian lawyer Melanie Oliver has spent the past year working as an Advisor on Human Rights and Women’s Corrections at the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). While she was admitted as a lawyer in NSW in 2012, Oliver has always planned to forge an overseas career.
“I have always wanted to work overseas and really fought my way here,” she said.
“I studied Law and International Studies at UTS, which involved a year at a Chilean University. I structured my law electives in such a way that allowed me to study International Law at a French University, which allowed me to meet employees of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. I was then offered an Internship in Strasbourg at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation to the Court/European Institutions.
“My UNHCR colleagues then recommended me for a wonderful Masters based in Venice/Vienna called the European Masters in Human Rights and Democratisation. Last year I was researching human trafficking in Vienna – a UN city – and my research supervisor put me in touch with a Thai diplomat who was in the process of establishing the TIJ. After meeting him for coffee – where I thought I might be lucky enough to be offered an internship! – I was offered a one-year contract to work in Bangkok.”
In contrast to Oliver, whose aim of building a career overseas has been a long-term goal, Elizabeth Seymour-Jones’ decision to practice law in another country was much more spur of the moment. An employee of Watson, Farley & Williams in Hong Kong, Seymour-Jones was brought in by the firm to work on a cross-jurisdictional shipping dispute they are handling.
“To be honest I followed a fairly standard path from university to admission to employment in Sydney before finally making the move [to Hong Kong], and will be doing a one year conversion course to qualify in Hong Kong law next year,” Seymour-Jones said.
“Until then I am able to practice Australian law here, or work as a paralegal or on a training contract until I qualify. All I have really done is quit my job and buy a one way ticket!”
However, according to recruitment experts, a lawyer doesn’t need Oliver’s foresight or Seymour-Jones’ bravery to pursue work opportunities overseas. Mahlab Recruitment NSW managing director Lisa Gazis said there are points of contact in Australia for the lawyer who wants to work abroad.
“The easiest method by which an Australian legal practitioner can pursue overseas work opportunities is to work with a legal recruitment consultant with knowledge and experience in placing lawyers in the overseas market in which they seek employment,” Gazis said.
“The consultant will be aware of opportunities and will have relevant contacts in these markets which will assist them in their job search. They will also be able to advise on options, salaries and practising requirements as well as living in the jurisdiction.”
Should you choose to seek an overseas role in law, both Oliver and Seymour-Jones agree it could lead to enriching experiences unlikely to be seen in the Australian market. Oliver’s time at the TIJ has seen her working on a broad spectrum of justice and rule of law issues – chief among them the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (‘the Bangkok Rules’). In this guise, she has been required to write speeches for Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who was pivotal in the drafting of the ‘Bangkok Rules’.
“The most interesting experience has been travelling with Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha,” Oliver said.
“It has been an incredible experience to see how countries broker diplomatic initiatives, and to see how embassies and consulates work in practice. I travelled with Her Royal Highness to New York and Qatar where I attended and prepared documents for meetings with the Qatari government and for side-events at the United Nations General Assembly in 2013.
“Additionally, riding in a royal motorcade is an incredibly exciting experience – with motorbikes at each end of the motorcade that stop all traffic, and bodyguards surrounding you everywhere you go, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
Seymour-Jones cited the legal challenges of a new jurisdiction as one of the most rewarding aspects of her overseas experience.
“My work here deals with a completely different area of litigation to what I was practising in Sydney,” she said.
“It's been fascinating working across not only jurisdictions and time zones, but a number of cultures and languages too. Our team is by necessity incredibly diverse, as our clients are based all over Asia, and many of the relevant documents need translating, as do conversations with some of our clients. This is quite standard for businesses working out of Asia, especially in international dealings such as in finance and in this case maritime law, and it has been an interesting new experience for me.”
If you are considering a move overseas, Gazis advises that you do your research before applying for a role.
“Many employers will assist lawyers in making the transition and help to smooth any hiccups with visas, accommodation and practising requirements,” she said. “However, it is best to speak to any lawyers and non-lawyers you know who have worked in the country you want to move to and find out as much as possible before making the move.”
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