In response to heightened U.S.-China tensions and a mid-career partner shortage, international law firms in Japan are actively recruiting foreign-registered and Japan-qualified partners, according to a recent article from Law.com. 

The strategic hiring, driven by factors like billing rate disparities and a focus on specific skill sets, aims to bolster practices in areas such as corporate M&A, energy, and project finance.

Paul Cochrane, a founding partner of Just Legal, was interviewed for the article, and notes that firms are navigating challenges such as a scarcity of candidates and the need for flexibility in portable business expectations. 

For more details, you can read the full article here.