October 2023: We asked four Hong Kong trainees to introduce us to their practice areas: Debt Finance, Disputes and White Collar, Investment Funds and PE/M&A. Adrian, Joyce, Karen and Rachel explain their day-to-day work and share advice for aspiring lawyers.

What's most interesting about working in this area?
"It's truly an exciting and stimulating experience, as it involves the understanding of complex investment structures and intricate commercial and legal terms. Dynamic market trends and developments also make this a diverse and ever-changing field."

What's most challenging?
"Lawyers often have to strike a balance between legal and regulatory considerations and the commercial objectives of clients. The value of fund lawyers lies in the ability to find legal solutions that best align with the goals of clients, while ensuring laws and regulations are complied with."

Tell us about a professional highlight
"I had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives from a fund that we represent in a meeting to discuss investment strategies and fund terms. It was my first time participating in an in-person client meeting. The client also has some unique activist investment strategies, and that's quite refreshing."

What are the particular skills trainees require to succeed in this team?
"Trainees should possess strong analytical skills to understand fund structures and commercial/legal terms of fund documents, as well as strong research skills to navigate laws and regulations of various jurisdictions. The constantly evolving nature of the markets requires trainees and lawyers to stay abreast of the latest trends and developments. A commitment to continuous learning is essential to becoming a good funds lawyer."

How can you continue to build your professional skills at White & Case?
"Active participation in professional networking events, both internally and externally, can provide trainees and lawyers at White & Case the opportunity to learn from others, stay informed on current legal and market developments, as well as build a strong support system."

What's most interesting about working in this area?
"Observing how seniors negotiate terms in the finance documents."

What's most challenging?
"Staying on top of multiple deals when everything suddenly starts moving at the same time."

Tell us about a professional highlight
"During my second month into my banking seat, I was looped in on a deal with an extremely rushed deadline. For two weeks, our team worked around the clock with local counsels from eight to nine jurisdictions, and emails were coming in almost every minute of the day."

What are the particular skills trainees require to succeed in this team?
"Good time management and organization skills. Associates will entrust trainees to keep track of the progress of the deal and to keep them updated on any issues or outstanding items, therefore it is really helpful to maintain checklists and to sort emails in your inbox."

How can you continue to build your professional skills at White & Case?
"Be proactive, ask questions and take the time to review associates' comments on my work and figure out why they made the changes that they did."

What's most interesting about working in this area?
"The diversity of clientele. From mega-industry players to high-growth emerging companies, the process of building a connection with each client and gaining deeper insight into their business operation fascinates me."
 
What's most challenging?
"Agility. To be proactive in advising clients of their potential risks and long-term issues amid changing circumstances beyond just responding to their immediate concerns."
 
Tell us about a professional highlight
"I have had the chance to support the Tokyo team on a cross-border acquisition for a Japanese key client. It is truly a unique experience to gain deeper insight into the cultural intricacies involved in international transactions with a domestic touch"
 
What are the particular skills trainees require to succeed in this team?
"Be a team player. Effective collaboration among parties is always the key to a successful corporate transaction."
 
How can you continue to build your professional skills at White & Case?
"The market updates and training programs at White & Case keep me abreast of the evolving economic dynamics and legal development."

What's most interesting about working in this area?
"For me, this practice area is interesting in the sense that every case has its own intricate fact patterns and legal issues, which means you are never working on the same issues, and this requires you to analyze and understand a diverse range of disputes across different industries/sectors."

What's most challenging?
"I think what I find interesting about this practice is also the challenging part of it. The disputes and issues are often complex, and the laws around the world are constantly evolving."

Tell us about a professional highlight
"The highlights so far during my seat would be working on various enforcements in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions due to borrowers' default. Working with other White & Case offices globally on various arbitrations is also definitely another highlight."

What are the particular skills trainees require to succeed in this team?
"I think being analytical and having the ability to think critically is useful to deal with the intricate legal and factual scenarios. Communication and negotiation skills are also useful in order to articulate and present arguments in court or tribunals and to negotiate with opposing parties to achieve a favorable outcome for the client."

How can you continue to build your professional skills at White & Case?
"I have learned a lot by working closely with the team. Having them as my mentors really helped my development as a trainee, as I can always seek their guidance and advice. I think taking on challenging work or assignments also helps, as this allows you to gain exposure and develop new skills."