India and Indonesia have become the new ‘hot spots’ for lawyers looking for the best new positions, according to Singapore based recruitment firm ATR Associates. “Following the resources boom, and since the elections in Indonesia, and the capital markets work available in India, firms have really been looking at how they can better service their clients in these areas,” said one senior consultant. This is especially true of those who have qualified originally in their home jurisdiction before moving abroad to gain experience in centres such as London, Singapore or New York.

The consultant also said that the offers coming from Indonesia and particularly India were now strong enough to attract candidates used to what a city like London has to offer. “The offices are now much better run, the salaries are excellent, pretty much on par, in private practice for returning Indians. Firms such as Khaitan and Trilegal also offer a decent amount for junior lawyers who are very good,” he said.

Recruiters attribute this mainly to the large number of associates who were forced to return home during the GFC proper in 2008 and 2009. That ‘homecoming’ of lawyers, coupled with a steady stream of work in India in areas such as capital markets, meant that lawyers who may have been surplus to requirements in the overseas branch of one of the large firms now have a much better position available to them at home, perhaps with a different firm, so they are choosing to take it. “In the first three months of next year, we expect to see a significant number of lawyers pick up their bonuses and explore their options in Singapore,” said the consultant.

Work is also very strong on the finance area in general in both jurisdictions, with many of the major corporate also hiring, according to ATR Associates. Clifford Chance, White & Case and Ashurst are among firms which have recently made India relevant hires in Singapore and Khaitan & Co, Trilegal and Amarchand in India are firms which have made recent hires at senior levels of those returning from abroad. “Even though the vast majority of these hires are direct with the firms, we have definitely noticed the effect as a recruitment agency and can see it going on,” the consultant said.