Top Law Schools

I'm not sure why there aren't posts on foreign law firms; you get both travel and work experience. Has anyone had experience abroad for their 1L summer? I'm thinking Hong Kong, Japan, or Korea, but I'm worried that this might somehow diminish my chances at US biglaw? Should I just stay safe and work in the states?

splittermcsplit88 wrote:I'm not sure why there aren't posts on foreign law firms; you get both travel and work experience. Has anyone had experience abroad for their 1L summer? I'm thinking Hong Kong, Japan, or Korea, but I'm worried that this might somehow diminish my chances at US biglaw? Should I just stay safe and work in the states?

There are some hiring committee people on this board who'll tell you that what you do 1L doesn't matter much, so long as it's something legal. I also hear from people who've done it that a summer abroad gives them something to talk about during interviews.
But ask these guys http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=163550

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splittermcsplit88 wrote:I'm not sure why there aren't posts on foreign law firms; you get both travel and work experience. Has anyone had experience abroad for their 1L summer? I'm thinking Hong Kong, Japan, or Korea, but I'm worried that this might somehow diminish my chances at US biglaw? Should I just stay safe and work in the states?

I'd say prima facie any opportunity to work abroad is a valuable opportunity. Particularly if you're able to secure a summer internship abroad with a multinational firm (commonly called "big law" on TLS), and especially if that firm has an office(s) in the state or jurisdiction in which you'd like to ultimately work. Global firms have the name recognition and prestige that transcends, of course. Not to mention the network you will develop.

I'm an American, JD candidate studying fulltime in a Hong Kong university (I've lived and worked in Asia for several years). If the schedule goes to plan, I'll be studying at Columbia Law for part of summer break, then interning at a multinational firm in HK for the remainder before fall classes commence. So, if you end up in HK let me know.