Jurisdiction: Australasia

Learn about our international reach in legal recruitment.

Australia and New Zealand

The team at Agnew O'Brien have been assisting lawyers locate positions both domestically and internationally for many years and understand fully what is required to successfully secure a new opportunity. We have deep knowledge and experience of the jurisdictions within which we operate and are able to support our candidates through each stage of the recruitment process. What we don't know immediately we are able to find out quickly, ensuring that those we represent have all the information required to make an informed decision.

Agnew O’Brien’s Founder and Director, James O’Brien, is based out of NZ and is extremely active across Australasia, working with the leading national and international law firms operating in these jurisdictions – moving lawyers in and out. Both Australia and New Zealand’s legal markets have performed extremely well during and post Covid, with firms reporting strong financial results and experiencing exceptional growth, offering candidates excellent work, strong career progression and, in comparison to major hubs such as London, New York and Hong Kong, a far better work life balance.

Australia

  • Australia is a sovereign country and the largest in Oceania, surrounded by the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The sixth-largest country by total area in the world and 14th largest by GDP, Australia offers an attractive climate, lifestyle and sophisticated economy and legal market.
  • Australia’s economy continues to be one of the world’s most stable (having only experienced 2 years of negative growth in over 60 years). Sound governance creates certainty for foreign investment and Australia’s skilled workforce, strong ties to Asia, and success in key industries makes Australia a great place for doing business.
  • Appealing to both families and individuals, the main commercial centres include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. The weather in Australia ranges from very hot in Summer to warm in Winter, with the majority of the population living on or near the coast.
  • As a major international hub, there are law firms of all shape and size, from large domestic to major international firms, including the Magic/Silver Circle and leading US law firms.
  • Firms will generally look to hire local and/or “returning” Australian and New Zealand qualified lawyers in the first instance, although will sponsor solicitors coming from England & Wales and other Commonwealth jurisdictions - if possessing a strong pedigree and experience.
  • In the past, most lawyers considering working in Australia needed to have at least one year of experience at a highly regarded local or international firm to be eligible for consideration; however, this has recently changed to at least two years, due to new visa considerations.
  • Practice areas of particular demand include Corporate, Banking & Finance, Funds, Competition & Trade, Energy & Resources, Projects & Construction, Disputes, TMT, Intellectual Property and Employment – to name but a few.
  • Salaries can vary widely, depending on the individual firm and candidate experience, while most employers will also offer a full benefits package & bonus in addition to relocation assistance. Salaries are paid in Australian dollars at a marginal tax rate of between 0-45% and attract a Medicare levy and Superannuation contribution.

New Zealand

  • New Zealand is a sovereign country comprising two islands, the North and South Islands. A developed country, New Zealand ranks highly in international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, protection of civil liberties, and economic freedom and is an attractive location for both individuals and families, especially those that enjoy an outdoor lifestyle.
  • The largest city is Auckland, on the North Island, which is also the country's major economic hub while other “large” cities include Wellington (the official Capital) and Christchurch (South Island).
  • Those lawyers looking to relocate to New Zealand from an overseas jurisdiction will need to be common law qualified and will be encouraged to re-qualify as a New Zealand lawyer as soon as practical. It is however not “obligatory” and overseas lawyers can practice as a “Foreign Qualified Lawyer”, if under the supervision of a qualified New Zealand lawyer.
  • Firms will generally look to hire local and/or “returning” New Zealand or Australian qualified lawyers in the first instance, although will sponsor solicitors coming from England & Wales and other jurisdictions - if possessing a strong pedigree and experience gained in a practice area of particular demand.
  • The legal sector comprises 10-12 large domestic firms and other specialist boutiques. The work is varied and although often of a smaller value than Australia and other international locations, offers lawyers great exposure and responsibility plus enhanced career progression.
  • Practice areas in demand include Corporate, Banking & Finance, Real Estate & Construction, Projects, Litigation and Employment while the country has a burgeoning TMT sector – attracting significant investment in the FinTech space.
  • Salaries can vary widely, depending on the individual firm and candidate experience / skill set, while most employers will also offer a full benefits package & bonus in addition to relocation assistance.
  • Salaries are paid in New Zealand dollars at a marginal tax rate of between 10.5-39% while also contributing 1.39% (up to NZD $126,286) to an accident compensation scheme (ACC).

Recent Testimonials:

“I have had a great experience with James and not only because I am now a partner at a major law firm: James has an excellent knowledge of the market, is a good listener and assisted with all aspects of the recruitment process. He has been patient and effective – in other words, a great professional.”

Arbitration Partner

London

“James is a thoroughly professional and dedicated legal recruiter who thoroughly understands the offshore sector. He handled my search expertly, introducing me to multiple firms across the Caribbean, while advising on the merits of each opportunity and location. James was consultative and empathetic in his approach with a genuine focus on what was best for my career. I would recommend any lawyer looking to move internationally to speak with James.”

Barrister

British Virgin Islands

“James, has vast experience with the off-shore legal market. I used him in relation to my move from London to the Cayman Islands and highly recommend him. Not only does he have great knowledge of the off-shore market but due to his regular contact with law firms he is able to provide an insight into their way of thinking/ mind set . This is valuable when tailoring a CV, preparing for interview and reviewing an employment contract. James is also very pleasant and approachable.”

Structured Finance Counsel

Cayman Islands

“James assisted me with my move from New Zealand to Australia, securing multiple interviews and offers. He actively supported me from start to finish, working with me closely on the preparation of my CV and how to address different interview scenarios, as well negotiating my package and assisting with my exit. A genuine, 360-degree, consultative service from a recruiter who really knows his market.”

Insurance Associate

Sydney

“I wasn’t confident in using a smaller, “boutique” legal recruitment consultancy like Agnew O’Brien when embarking on my move, as felt larger agencies would have greater market penetration, despite some previous bad experiences. I was however recommended to James who quickly dispelled any hesitancy I had. Following a comprehensive and honest assessment of my career to date, business case and expectations, James picked up the phone to a some of his established clients and opened multiple doors. The process was handled with subtly and consideration from start to finish, resulting in receiving a great offer from a firm I had always regarded very highly. Thank you, James!”

Employment Partner

London

“I was given James’ name by a colleague who had worked with him previously. It was instantly apparent on speaking with James, that I was in safe hands. He clearly addressed the pros and cons of my proposed move from London to Hong Kong and what was realistically achievable. James was able to present a number of interesting opportunities that accurately matched my skill sets and ambitions for the future, one of which I ultimately accepted. Professional, personable and dedicated to his candidates, James is a legal recruiter of the highest calibre.”

Senior Banking Associate

Hong Kong

“On my qualification with a Magic Circle firm in London, my ambition was to relocate to Asia. I contacted Agnew O’Brien to see if they could assist with my search, as I noticed they had multiple vacancies advertised. They quickly established what options were open to me and secured several interviews with topflight international law firms, guiding me through the process and offering practical and timely advice along the way. I am now with a leading international law firm in Singapore and very happy. I would strongly recommend Agnew O’Brien to any lawyer looking to make a move internationally.”

Junior Banking & Finance Associate

Singapore

“James is an extremely capable recruiter with a friendly bedside manner. Insightful and proactive, he quickly located an opportunity that fitted my experience and career aspirations and guided me through the process step by step. Always on hand to answer any questions and quick to address any potential road bumps, it was an absolute pleasure to work with him and I couldn’t recommend James and his team highly enough to anyone looking to move offshore.”

Senior Disputes Counsel

British Virgin Islands

“James is an excellent recruiter. He is friendly, personable and is extremely knowledgeable on the Cayman Islands legal recruitment market. James has great connections with senior personnel across Magic Circle and mid-sized Cayman law firms and secured interviews for me and a role within an offshore Magic Circle law firm where there was no publicly advertised role. James’s experience of the Cayman legal market enabled him to deal with the entire recruitment process from initially connecting me with law firms, advising on the interview process, advising on options available post-interview and working with me all the way with me to address work permit issues. James clearly demonstrated that he is willing to go the extra mile for his clients. I would certainly recommend James as a recruiter to any onshore or offshore corporate lawyer seeking a private practice role in the Cayman Islands.”

Senior Regulatory Associate

Cayman Islands

“James has been the best recruiter I have ever met. He really took a definite interest in my candidacy and provided important insights on the recruitment process during our discussions. Apart from his professional skills, he is personable, friendly and supportive. Most importantly, he was capable of correcting my approach where needed and how to overcome weaknesses which may have adversely affected the interview procedure.I cannot thank him enough for always replying to my emails, hearing me out and offering ideas on how to handle various situations. Once again, thank you James!”

Corporate Associate

Hong Kong

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