As has been widely reported, the Asia-Pacific region has become the new focus of attention for international law firms. At the same time, international competition in the region is accelerating. The recently published book: A Comprehensive Guide to the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets — outlines challenges (as well as what local opportunities) foreign law firms are currently seeing in the region. Here’s an overview of both:
Unique challenges facing foreign law firms in Asia:
The challenge of achieving profitability are unique and more significant in Asia than they are at home for US and UK firms. As Nick Seddon, Partner at Beaton Capital explained to me in an exclusive interview for the book. Robet Sawhney, in his book: Developing a Profitable Practice In Asia, also details the forces driving foreign law firm growth in the region. An important consideration for foreign firms is the incumbent position of domestic Asian law firms. Local firms in many, if not most, of Asia’s key jurisdictions, will maintain a dominant position as against foreign firms for the foreseeable future via friendly local regulatory environments, competitive climates and taxation of foreign law firms, irrespective of recent liberalization measures having opened the markets.
Local Human Capital Issues:
Another challenge foreign legal firms face entering Asia is the liability of being foreign. Local human capital has the advantage of knowing the market and understanding it in minute detail. In particular, an understanding of the local prospective client pool. Without this local knowledge or awareness of the nuances so important to building these relationships, foreign law firms might very well fail.
Nonetheless, foreign firms are making an impact on domestic Asian law firms. Competitive pressure from US and European firms, as Seddon explained, has seen Asia’s local firms seeking answers to how they might now compete and internationalize.
Unique locales of Asia-Pacific opportunity:
The book also provides a look at some of the most important markets within the Asia-Pacific legal market. Which is a quick snapshot of how international law firms are faring in each:
China — In China in particular, Seddon outlines, many international firms have downsized or moved out altogether due to competitive challenges.
Singapore — Seddon cites Singapore as emerging as a key hub for a variety of industries including private wealth, insurance and arbitration. Seddon sees conditions in Singapore as so competitive that some international law firms may need to leave as a result.
Thailand — Despite recent political turmoil, Seddon sees Thailand’s domestic legal market as a healthy one, albeit with an absence at present of international law firms entering the market in a big way.
Myanmar — Seddon sees Mynamar as a good opportunity, however the market will not develop in an ordered and sequential fashion, hence somewhat unpredictable and therefore inherently challenging to firms who choose to enter the market.
Indonesia — Seddon sees Indonesia at the #1 opportunity for foreign law firms in the region. Indonesia’s prime attractions for foreign law firms, as he outlined, include:
- Indonesia is immense and growing. (74 million ‘middle class and affluent’ consumers live in Indonesia. This number is projected to rise to 141 million by 2030).C
- Indonesia’s economy over the last decade has been one of consistently good performance.
- Despite having yet to substantively liberalize its legal market, it remains attractive and is drawing foreign law firms that are able to forge effective alliances locally.
- The country has an innate political stability.
Korea — Seddon also sees Korea as potentially attractive to international law firms. Its growing foreign-trade focused economy and liberalized legal market offer an excellent recipe for foreign firms that get it right in the market.
