Liam Richardson - Taylor Root, Hong Kong

Liam Richardson – Consultant (add picture)
Hong Kong - In-house Team


Academic background
LLB University of Leicester
LPC College of Law, London

Previous work experience
Taylor Root Graduate Scheme

Why did you move into recruitment?
Throughout university and up until mid-point on the LPC, my plan was always to practice law as a solicitor. It was only once I gained more of an insight into the day-to-day work via some honest-speaking careers advisors, contacts within the profession and several vacation schemes that I realised that although I was interested in the legal profession and the subject matter, the actual work itself was not about to set my world on fire.

I have always considered myself to be a people-person and was impressed with the careers people I had spoken to at law school who suggested a career in recruitment. So I decided the best way to combine my interests and natural ability was to look into specialised legal recruitment. I figured this would still provide me with the interaction with the legal profession, whilst making best use of my desire to work in a more people-orientated industry.

Why did you join Taylor Root?
I was determined that if I was going to move into recruitment, I wanted to maintain my focus on the legal profession and make best use of what I had learned. I looked into a number of consultancies and Taylor Root appealed most due to its market profile and reputation, its clear specialism within the legal profession and its global presence. I also took time to read some of the online profiles of consultants and partners and quickly realised that I would be working with some very intelligent, impressive and charismatic people.

What is a typical day?
First thing, coffee! Closely followed by tackling the inbox and addressing anything urgent, responding to clients’ queries and candidates’ applications.

Being in the Hong Kong office, there are always emails which will have come through from London overnight, so I'm never short of reading material! We’re encouraged to keep up-to-speed on current affairs, so I will always try to set a few minutes aside to read The Financial Times, The Lawyer, Legal Week or another relevant press, to see who's doing what in the world. Next comes the candidate review where we discuss new candidates, so that we are all aware of who is looking in the market, what jobs they may be suitable for and ultimately ensuring that someone takes things forward with them. Actual lunch may be early or late, as normal lunchtimes are set aside to meet up with busy candidates.

What do you enjoy about the role?
The fact that you never know who you will be speaking to from one day to the next; it is this variety which keeps the interest levels up. I enjoy the responsibility that comes with running my own desk and serving a specific portfolio of clients, developing new business and ultimately finding solutions to a client's changing needs.

A huge amount of satisfaction obviously comes with introducing a client to a lawyer they eventually hire, but there are other aspects which can be just as rewarding - discussing a client’s needs and assisting with the specification draft, winning a pitch or an advertising campaign for a client and generally working in an environment where the level of interaction is very high.

Hong Kong is a smaller, more focused market which means it's easier for me to meet with clients and candidates and really get to know them, which ultimately makes the whole process a lot easier and more satisfying.

Any downsides?
Working on a contingency basis means that you can put a lot of work into recruiting for a role, but ultimately miss out due to circumstances outside of your control. This can be stressful and frustrating, but it’s ultimately character building! The hours can also be long, especially if you're meeting with candidates after work, and there are times when clients and candidates can be very demanding. But if you can manage your time and your workload, you can always get through the day.