Overseas Law Jobs
March 22, 2015 4:15 PM Subscribe
I am an attorney working for a midsize firm in the US. I am fairly happy with my job, but have always wanted to work abroad (particularly in the UK). I have no clue how desireable (if at all) US licensed attorneys are abroad or how to go about finding job openings. I found several legal recruiters based in Europe online, but the sites are a bit sketchy. I know that there are various legal exchange programs, but they are generally in non-profit fields or send you to third world countries (which is admirable, but not what I am looking for).
Any thoughts, resources or insights would be greatly appreciated.
There might be some helpful answers in this older thread.
posted by billiebee at 4:44 PM on March 22, 2015
posted by billiebee at 4:44 PM on March 22, 2015
Response by poster: I generally represent lenders in connection with originating loans and other finance issues.
posted by frednorton at 5:01 PM on March 22, 2015
posted by frednorton at 5:01 PM on March 22, 2015
Do you have any type of dual citizenship and/or any other ability to work in another country? This will generally be your biggest hurdle. I am under the impression a lot of firm and companies would love to hire their own American lawyer, but the cost and many immigration barriers makes it difficult. I think this is also why foreign attorneys come in droves to the US to get their American LLMs.
Also, any language skills?
I know one lawyer who I went to school with who after working for 5ish years at a big firm in NYC, now works in their London office.
There are a decent amount of federal jobs for attorneys overseas. As far as I can tell, most of them are in working as a civilian for a military. A lot of them seem to be on bases in Germany. There is also the State Department and USAID. Not all these jobs are strictly attorney positions, but it seems very common for attorneys to be hired into these positions.
posted by whoaali at 5:03 PM on March 22, 2015
Also, any language skills?
I know one lawyer who I went to school with who after working for 5ish years at a big firm in NYC, now works in their London office.
There are a decent amount of federal jobs for attorneys overseas. As far as I can tell, most of them are in working as a civilian for a military. A lot of them seem to be on bases in Germany. There is also the State Department and USAID. Not all these jobs are strictly attorney positions, but it seems very common for attorneys to be hired into these positions.
posted by whoaali at 5:03 PM on March 22, 2015
Response by poster: Unfortunately I do not have dual citizenship and I am not fluent in another language.
posted by frednorton at 5:14 PM on March 22, 2015
posted by frednorton at 5:14 PM on March 22, 2015
Hi, I recently worked for a Magic Circle firm in London (though I was business support, not a lawyer).
We hired plenty of US and other international lawyers, and your skills would potentially be valuable in the finance practice, especially if you were able to contribute to big multinational deals. Here's a job ad that specifically mentions international applicants (it does say Commonwealth, but we certainly had US lawyers too).
As another option, plenty of US firms have offices in the UK.
A few other thoughts:
It might be worth applying to firms directly rather than through legal recruiters, if the recruiters look dodgy.
The visa will possibly be a problem [on preview, I see this has been mentioned]. You may have to look into getting sponsorship, which can be difficult because there aren't many such visas, and the process is a pain in the ass for the employer. OTOH, having knowledge of US law would make you more desirable for the right role.
posted by Pink Frost at 5:16 PM on March 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
We hired plenty of US and other international lawyers, and your skills would potentially be valuable in the finance practice, especially if you were able to contribute to big multinational deals. Here's a job ad that specifically mentions international applicants (it does say Commonwealth, but we certainly had US lawyers too).
As another option, plenty of US firms have offices in the UK.
A few other thoughts:
It might be worth applying to firms directly rather than through legal recruiters, if the recruiters look dodgy.
The visa will possibly be a problem [on preview, I see this has been mentioned]. You may have to look into getting sponsorship, which can be difficult because there aren't many such visas, and the process is a pain in the ass for the employer. OTOH, having knowledge of US law would make you more desirable for the right role.
posted by Pink Frost at 5:16 PM on March 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Check out in-house options through US-based legal recruiters. Most major corporations that have a global presence have interesting overseas assignments. I have a lot of friends who have ended up overseas, including London, through their work with clients, especially in compliance functions.
posted by Slap Factory at 7:18 PM on March 22, 2015
posted by Slap Factory at 7:18 PM on March 22, 2015
Just a note about ads that specifically call for Commonwealth applications: there's a special Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme for Commonwealth residents under 30. That may be one of the ways law firms are bringing in young, promising Commonwealth lawyers without the expensive and time-consuming process of sponsoring them under Tier 2 (the general employment visa).
posted by harperpitt at 3:38 AM on March 23, 2015
posted by harperpitt at 3:38 AM on March 23, 2015
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posted by discopolo at 4:36 PM on March 22, 2015