2021/2022 Hong Kong Legal Salary Guide and Market Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted hiring, with many international firms freezing headcount throughout 2020. However, after a relatively conservative 2020, 2021 began on a strong note since the last quarter of that year. Notably, the Hong Kong job market has gradually adjusted and shown steady signs of recovery in line with the global economic rebound.

1. Stronger Hiring Demand by PRC Firms

In particular, Mainland China has rebounded with stronger hiring activity, driving a clear increase in transactional roles in Hong Kong. While Chinese companies already hold a significant presence in the market, our legal recruitment team expect these firms to expand further in line with their rapid growth in size and revenues on the Mainland.

As deal volume continues to rise, law firms with a robust and growing Chinese client base are also expected to see greater demand for talent, particularly in the following practice areas:

• Corporate;

• Capital market;

• Funds investment and management;

• Compliance and regulatory.

2. Wave of Firms Capitalising on the GBA Initiative

Growing hiring demand for lawyers in Hong Kong

Since the release of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) blueprint in 2019, the initiative has continued to attract both domestic and international capital while creating new opportunities in infrastructure, innovation, and technology across Hong Kong. With a more integrated and open GBA, further development across a range of industries looks highly promising.

For law firms, this translates into fresh opportunities to meet the region’s evolving needs. While some conservative firms have adopted a wait-and-see approach, others—particularly international and PRC firms—moved swiftly to capitalise on the policy shift. Many have established new offices in the GBA, focusing on growth areas such as:

• Corporate transactions;

• Wealth management;

• Compliance;

• IP/IT;

• Cross-border disputes.

The market is expected to expand rapidly on the back of rising cross-border investments, which remain a critical source of revenue for firms in Hong Kong.

3. The Rising Value of Bilingual Lawyers

While demand for native speakers or lawyers with near-equivalent fluency remains steady, individuals who can also demonstrate an excellent command of English hold a distinct advantage. Their ability to navigate and bridge cultural and linguistic gaps between East and West makes them especially valuable in today’s cross-border legal market.

Concurrently, lawyers with native-level Mandarin proficiency and a strong grasp of Chinese cultural nuances will also be in demand due to their ability to help firms build deeper relationships with PRC clients.

For a deeper discussion on these market trends or to access the full report, connect with our consultants today. With executive search teams in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mainland China, we're well-equipped to provide market insights and access to the region’s talent pool.