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Mark Walters
International team
London office
Netherlands
The main demand is from the major UK law firms. Occasional roles occur in-house. Some of the international firms will tend to hire locally qualified Dutch lawyers only. There are a small number of exceptions where firms staff their finance (banking or capital markets) or international arbitration departments mostly with international common law lawyers. Owing to this, there is a great international if not 'ex-pat' flavour to these workplaces.
Typically, on the finance side, lawyers who only have English language skills who want to move to continental Europe will closely look at Amsterdam. It is a major finance centre and the calibre of the work on offer is excellent. Working in teams of usually no more than 10 or 12, junior and mid-level lawyers will gain experience beyond that of their peers who have remained in London. So from a career development perspective, it can be an ideal choice.
From a lifestyle position, many professionals will cycle to work. The commute as you may currently know it will soon disappear should you make the move to Amsterdam. As is well known, there is a great bar and restaurant scene, and travel from there to other European destinations is very easy.
Opportunities available
Principal demand is for:
Banking and Finance
Capital Markets
Arbitration
Remuneration
While local lawyers get paid substantially less, a UK or common law lawyer will get a package which will often be close to London rates. The norm is typically say 10-15% below London rates. This reflects the significantly cheaper cost of living in Amsterdam which is approximately 30% below that of London. The net effect of course is an uplift on what you would have earned in London.
For further information on the legal market and job opportunities in the Netherlands please contact your nearest Taylor Root office:
London:
Mark Walters E: markwalters@taylorroot.com T: +44 (0)20 7415 2828
Dubai:
Shane Morton E: shanemorton@taylorroot.com T: +9714 448 7770
Hong Kong:
Mark Coates E: markcoates@taylorroot.com.hk T: +852 2973 6333
Sydney:
Karlie Connellan E: karlieconnellan@taylorroot.com.au T: +61 (0)2 9236 9000
Melbourne:
Tim Fogarty E: timfogarty@taylorroot.com.au T: +61 (0)3 8610 8400