The law is different-very different-in Jakarta.
Practicing law in Jakarta is like trying to land a biplane on the deck of a fishing trawler in a monsoon at midnight. Your equipment is fragile and out-of-date, the target is moving, and visibility is zero. Oh, and the captain won't radio you permission to land until you make a contribution to his pension fund. I came to Indonesia because my husband got transferred here and because I was eager to see the country. I work with a small firm, about 10 lawyers. Western firms are not allowed to practice here under their own names, so they often form alliances with local firms. (Several big American firms, like White & Case and Baker & McKenzie, are here, as are the big Australian and English firms.) Foreign lawyers are called consultants and are in essence corporate lawyers.
Litigation here is incredibly messy and can be quite corrupt. Many lawyers admit that in a high percentage of cases, the outcome is determined by flat-out bribery. I've seen figures showing that up to 80 percent of judges are corrupt. Everyone professes to deplore the situation, but given how widespread it is, there's no easy solution. You can't exactly fire all the judges in a country already struggling with massive political and financial instability. My firm doesn't do much litigating and doesn't pay bribes, so I can only imagine how other firms manage it. I decided not to identify myself in this story because I want to give my frank impressions of the current state of the legal system.
Indonesia is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals, which makes it attractive to foreign companies. We're helping one client acquire an interest in a production-sharing contract with an Indonesian quasi-government agency. This will involve a complex set of corporate ownerships and contracts. The laws of about five countries, including the U.S., may be applicable. It's challenging, too, because Indonesian laws and regulations tend to be much more general than American ones. Also, many new commercial laws have been issued in recent years, and there isn't yet a body of case law or scholarly commentary to explain them.
I like the excitement of working on a rapidly evolving frontier of the law, but you really have to keep track of which laws are in effect and which are not. There was a new labor law, for instance, that said employers had to pay severance to people who resigned or were fired for cause. Employers didn't like that, so the law was suspended. But employees rallied against the suspension, and the law was reinstated. You pretty much have to follow legal developments in the media, since it's very difficult to get copies of court decisions here. There's no Lexis or Westlaw system; if you want to see a decision, you have to call the court, get someone to agree to copy it, and send a paralegal over with money to cover the duplicating costs (negotiable, of course). On the other hand, since court decisions lack precedent-setting value, they're less important.
The political situation in Indonesia was volatile before September 11, and there's a fear now that American antiterrorism strikes against Afghanistan could make things worse (Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population). The fact is, demonstrations have always been common. That's something people at the office monitor: Is there a riot going on? Where is it? Do we need to close the office so people can go home, or is it better to sit here and wait? Following September 11, the U.S. State Department recommended that American citizens review their security arrangements and consider leaving the country. How much risk you're willing to tolerate is something you evaluate all the time. Daily life is challenging, too. Like most expats, I have a driver, because traffic and parking are terrible (a driver costs $60 to $100 per month). You can't really put things in the mail, because they get lost or stolen. But we've got computers, fax machines, and e-mail. We don't have high-speed photocopiers. Collating is done by "office boys"-that's what they're called. The office boys will also make sure you have bottled water all day (we're in the tropics; you can't drink the tap water), and they'll bring you lunch. Indonesian food is great-soups, noodles, satay.
Salaries in Jakarta are much lower than they are in the U.S., but the cost of living is also far less (you want to be paid in dollars, not rupiah, to take advantage of the favorable exchange rate). Professionally, Javanese tend not to get emotional or cause anyone to lose face, so the work culture is pleasant. English is spoken widely, and Bahasa Indonesia is a relatively easy language to pick up.
The political situation is as uncertain as it has been in years; you definitely have to be prepared for that if you come here. That said, this is a unique time to be a lawyer in Indonesia because the laws and the judicial system need to be improved quickly to enhance stability and to encourage vital foreign investment. People ask me why I work here. The truth is, I don't always know that answer myself. But this much I do know. Practicing in Jakarta is exotic, constantly changing, and never, ever, dull.
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updated Dec 23, 2014
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration law
- Workers’ compensation
- Insurance defense
- Family law
- Trusts & estates
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.
? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Alternative Summary
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
More about Harrison
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