Shearman & Sterling has launched a career development program in Hong Kong to engage local university and law school students as the firm also looks to raise its profile and attract more talent.

The initiative, dubbed the Future Young Lawyers Program, is part of a community service effort during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Lorna Chen, the firm's Hong Kong-based co-managing partner for Asia and head of Greater China, to help law students develop career-ready skills.

"Career planning in a COVID-19 environment is undoubtedly challenging," said Chen. "The goal of the program is to help families with college and law school students who are studying in Hong Kong or have returned to Hong Kong from their studies abroad due to the pandemic situation," she said.