International Legal Recruitment
JMC’s international desk manages senior private‑practice and in‑house legal hiring across APAC and the UAE. We recruit solicitors, associates, partners and senior legal leaders, including general counsel, chief legal officers, heads of legal and senior legal counsel, for global law firms, multinational organisations, banks, insurers and regulatory bodies that are building or strengthening legal teams in the region.
Senior private practice and in-house appointments across Asia-Pacific and the UAE, led by a specialist with two decades in the region.
Senior Legal Hiring Across Asia-Pacific and the UAE
Our international desk is built on an established network of senior lawyers across Asia-Pacific, developed over 20 years in the region. That network, backed by detailed market research, gives clients access to Senior Associate and General Counsel talent in Singapore and Hong Kong that is rarely reached through advertising alone, including lawyers from a wide range of industries whose experience translates directly into senior roles.
We partner with multinational corporations, financial institutions, insurers and regulatory bodies on appointments across the region, from a first legal hire for a new office to the appointment of a Chief Legal Officer. Every search is led by Annie Tang, Head of International Legal Recruitment, who has 20 years' experience recruiting senior lawyers from Hong Kong and the UK, and JMC has also delivered mandates for businesses in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Europe.
20
Years of international legal recruitment experience leading our international desk
4
Core markets: Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and the UAE
300+
Five-star reviews from JMC clients and candidates
"Senior in-house and partner hiring in Asia runs on relationships. Because the best candidates are rarely looking, they only answer calls from trusted experts who truly understand their business and their work. With a legal background plus twenty years of regional recruiting experience, our conversations are already happening - giving you a credible shortlist immediately, instead of waiting for a search to start from scratch."
Annie Tang
Head of International
Why Hire an International In-House Lawyer with JMC?
Hiring a senior lawyer into an overseas business raises questions a domestic search doesn't: local qualification and admission rules, work visas, reporting lines into a global legal function, and candidates weighing relocation alongside the role itself.
Annie has a legal background and has spent her career placing partners, General Counsel and senior in-house lawyers with multinational corporations, regulatory bodies, banks and insurers across Asia-Pacific. Clients working with our international desk get:
An established regional network: long-standing relationships with senior in-house lawyers across the region, including those who are not actively on the market.
A faster route to a shortlist: searches begin with known candidates rather than cold outreach, so hiring managers see credible profiles early.
Advice on the whole move: guidance on salary benchmarks, qualification requirements and relocation, so offers are made on an informed basis.
Discretion at senior level: confidential replacement searches and newly created leadership roles handled without public advertising.
UK reach when it fits: access to JMC's UK in-house network where an English-qualified lawyer is the right hire for an overseas role.
Supporting In-House Teams in the UK and Abroad
JMC’s in-house division recruits Legal Counsel, Senior Legal Counsel, Heads of Legal, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officers across financial services, technology, energy, life sciences, real estate, FMCG, media and the public sector. From first legal hires to senior leadership appointments, our international desk draws on that same expertise for businesses hiring abroad.
Considering a legal job outside of the UK?
If you're a law partner or in-house lawyer weighing a move to Asia-Pacific or the UAE, or already in the region and thinking about your next step, Annie can give you a clear view of the market, what employers expect and how your qualification is likely to be viewed.
Why Legal Professionals Choose JMC Legal
Specialist Legal Market Knowledge
Our consultants focus exclusively on the legal sector, providing valuable market insight, salary guidance, and recruitment expertise to help candidates and firms make informed decisions.
Tailored Recruitment Support
No two hires are the same, so we don't offer one-size-fits-all recruitment. With a presence across key UK legal markets, we combine nationwide opportunities with local knowledge, helping clients and candidates achieve the best possible outcomes.
Access to Exclusive Opportunities
Did you know that many of the roles we handle never reach the open market? Find our live legal roles and register your interest to see what's available before the rest of the market.
Variety of Services on Offer
From private practice to in-house, partner search to executive appointments, we cover the full range of legal recruitment. Explore our services
Long-Term Partnerships
We focus on building lasting relationships with candidates and employers, supporting career progression and business growth through trusted recruitment partnerships.
Hiring Senior Legal Talent in Asia-Pacific or the UAE?
Whether you're appointing a first General Counsel for a new regional office, replacing a Chief Legal Officer or expanding an established legal team, speak with Annie Tang for hiring advice grounded in two decades of work in the region.
Looking for Something Different?
If international recruitment services aren't what you're currently looking for, we offer a full range of legal recruitment services:
Partner Recruitment
Lateral partner placements, team moves, and partnership appointments
In-House Legal Recruitment
Legal Counsel, Senior Legal Counsel, and mid-level in-house roles.
Executive Search Recruitment
Discreet, advisory-led executive search for organisations hiring senior legal leaders.
Legal Technology Recruitment
Legal operations and legal tech implementation roles
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from businesses hiring senior in-house lawyers internationally, and from lawyers considering a move abroad. For salaries, qualification routes and hiring trends in a specific market, visit our Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and UAE pages.
Can JMC recruit in-house lawyers for businesses in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and the UAE?
Yes, our international desk, led by Annie Tang, recruits General Counsel, Chief Legal Officers, Heads of Legal, Senior Legal Counsel and Legal Counsel for multinational corporations, banks, insurers and regulatory bodies across all four markets. We also help international businesses hire UK-based in-house lawyers.
How long does it take to hire a General Counsel in Asia-Pacific?
It depends on seniority, the specialism required and notice periods, which for senior in-house lawyers in the region can run to several months. The biggest variable is how quickly a credible shortlist appears. Because Annie draws on an established network of senior in-house lawyers across the region, searches start from known candidates rather than a cold market.
Can you run a confidential search for a senior in-house legal role?
Yes, many of our international appointments are replacement or newly created leadership roles that cannot be advertised. We approach candidates directly and discreetly, and share client details only once a candidate has been qualified and is ready to progress.
Can an international business hire an English-qualified lawyer into an overseas in-house role?
Often, yes. Many in-house roles across Asia-Pacific and the UAE are open to lawyers qualified in England and Wales, particularly where contracts are governed by English law or the work is cross-border. Whether a role requires local admission depends on the jurisdiction and the nature of the work, and we advise on this at the briefing stage.
How much does an international legal recruiter charge?
Fees for international in-house searches are most commonly calculated as a percentage of the successful candidate's first-year base salary, with the rate reflecting the seniority of the role and the search approach. We agree terms with you before any search begins, and our service is free for candidates.
Do I need to speak the local language to work in-house in Asia?
Not always. English is the main business language for in-house teams in Singapore and is widely used in Hong Kong, although Cantonese or Mandarin can be a strong advantage there. In Japan, most in-house roles call for business-level Japanese, with some regional and global positons open to English speakers. In the UAE, English is the working language for most in-house legal teams.
Does JMC recruit for senior private practice roles internationally?
Yes. Alongside in-house hiring, our international desk handles senior private practice appointments for law firms across Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and the UAE. This includes lateral partner hires, team moves, Counsel and Senior Associate appointments, and senior hires for firms opening or expanding an office in the region. Searches are led by Annie Tang, who has placed partners and senior lawyers with law firms across Asia-Pacific throughout a 20-year career in the region. Partner moves are handled in confidence, with candidate and firm details shared only once both sides are ready to progress.