Hong Kong's Alternative Legal Service Provider Market – a first of its kind event in Asia

110 men and women from a range of roles and backgrounds gathered on 11 June to learn about the growing ALSP market in Hong Kong. Flexible and agile work options in Hong Kong's legal industry are often hard to come by and this event, organised by WILHK's flexible and agile working committee, sought to raise awareness about the options and hear from those who have taken the leap into consultancy.

The evening event, held at Allen & Overy's offices in Central, was a collaboration between fours ALSPs, Peerpoint, Axiom, Lawyers on Demand and Eversheds Agile. Through a panel Q&A moderated by WILHK committee member, Michelle Fung,  four consultants, Christina Ellerker, Sandy Grieve, May Lim and Kathy Thorpe explained what led them to leave their private practice / in-house roles and try consulting. They explained how, for different lifestyle and professional reasons, they had taken shorter-term positions in-house or within firms, arranged through their ALSP. This gave them new challenges and opportunities, exposed them to different management styles, practice areas and sectors, as well as improved their range of contacts, skills and credentials. The flexibility of consulting, which was generally more project focused, gave them more time, balance and freedom to pursue passions outside of work (whether that be setting up a new business, sports, travel or spending more time with friends and family).  Personal skills required for consulting, according to panelists, included adaptability, pro-activity and resilience. The panel discussion was followed by questions from the floor addressing issues like financial security, the types of legal work suitable to consulting and whether it really was possible to work 9am-6pm (answer: yes!). The networking session afterwards allowed delegates to mingle and ask more questions of the consultants and ALSP representatives present.

Many thanks to the event sponsors, Peerpoint and Axiom, all speakers, and WILHK committee members, Stephanie Szeto (Peerpoint) and Kirsty Mastores (Axiom) for organising such a successful event. Given the popularity of the topic, WILHK will continue discussion around flexible and agile work options in Hong Kong's legal industry, next surveying men and women in Hong Kong about their views and experiences of flexible and agile working in law. Watch this space!