May 2025: Jonathan Ma is a trainee solicitor in Hong Kong who recently returned from his six-month overseas seat in Dubai. Here's what he had to say about the experience, along with his professional and personal highlights from his time there.
Choosing the most exciting location for my overseas seat
Given the recent surge in activity in the Middle East, I saw an excellent opportunity to gain practical insights into this rapidly developing market. Utilizing the Firm's guaranteed six-month overseas seat opportunity seemed like the perfect gateway to immerse myself directly in the region. The Dubai office also offers region-specific expertise (e.g., Energy and Natural Resources) which are not present within the Hong Kong office.
A consistent culture
The consistent sense of friendliness and care is a hallmark of our Firm's culture. However, the Dubai office's culture had distinct regional nuances, from daily routines (e.g., considering which teahouse to try Karak from) to client interactions. The team was immensely forthcoming about sharing their experiences, so life in Dubai quickly became comfortable.
Working on a truly global deal
A professional highlight was being part of the driving team for a deal that involved multiple jurisdictions: APAC, Europe and the Americas. Besides the underlying substantive work, it was insightful from an operational perspective, learning to effectively collaborate with multiple teams around the clock to ensure timely deliverables and avoid clashing regulatory requirements (among many other things).
Experiencing White & Case's global platform in action
This experience broadened my exposure to complex, high-caliber deals. Experiencing White & Case's 'One Firm' approach in another jurisdiction further demonstrated the value our international operations bring to clients.
Practical experience and communication skills
This experience has highlighted the vast scope of corporate law and the diverse skills necessary to excel. In particular, effective communication stood out to me as being essential in ensuring proper adherence to bilateral expectations and ensuring frictionless execution of complex documents and matters.
Traveling and exploring a new part of the world
Dubai's location enabled me to explore neighboring GCC countries and various parts of the United Arab Emirates. Visiting cities like Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, each with its distinct characteristics, was also personally enriching and inspiring, as someone who was raised between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
Equipped with an enhanced skillset
My time in the Dubai office was an incredible experience that, combined with my training in Hong Kong, will form a strong foundation for my career. Now that I'm back in Hong Kong, I'm committed to developing the most valuable skills from both environments and applying them where they can make the greatest impact. As always, it's about looking to improve yourself!
