Hong Kong secondment story

Working in an overseas office equipped me with an extra breadth of legal experience, while a foreign jurisdiction threw up novel challenges (legal, commercial and cultural) that demanded a fresh approach and gave a new perspective on client service.

I was able to get involved in a variety of transactions in Hong Kong. Working with a PRC client on one deal was an opportunity to polish my rusty Chinese-language skills and to see how formerly state-owned Chinese corporations are adapting to the emerging market economy. Another involved a corporation controlled by the Hong Kong government, whose political input resulted in a differing set of priorities than most commercial transactions, while frequent media coverage gave a thrilling sense of close involvement with the life of the city.

And Hong Kong itself - this is a place where the clichés ring true: the city that never sleeps with more bars, restaurants, clubs and boutiques than even the most dedicated team of trainees could visit in a dozen six-month secondments. As with any place, it’s the people that make it, and the people of Hong Kong were wholeheartedly welcoming from start to finish.

One of the most memorable parts of the summer was the annual Dragon Boat Championships. On a fine May day our purple-clad team of trainees, associates, partners and even a client or two paddled through the soupy waters to the furious beat of a drum. Win we didn’t, but we did reach the finish line afloat and, more importantly, with at least one other law firm crew toiling in our wake.

• George Vaughton
• Trainee secondment