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I'm currently considering an offer to start in big law abroad as opposed to starting in the US. While I'm definitely interested in living abroad and potentially staying abroad, I'm also concerned that starting overseas could prevent me (or make it very difficult) from ever coming back if I need to. Like most US associates overseas, I'd be working in capital markets for a US firm.

Any anecdotes, thoughts, experience, etc. would be appreciated.

Usually it's the specific type of capital markets that is the problem that you do overseas (high yield, I think?). I have heard that it is hard to transfer when you return back to the States unless you go to NYC. This is just what was told to me, not specific knowledge on it.

I know several people at the firm I summered at abroad who really regret not starting in the States. They haven't been able to make it back to the States after several years, and are afraid of what will happen if they are ever let go. Senior attorneys at the firm said that back when the financial crisis hit, the first people at that foreign office (and most other foreign offices of American firms) to be let go were the American employees with no experience in the United States.

This might depend on the country, but I know that at least in some countries you can really screw yourself over by starting abroad. This also depends upon the firm; some firms are known for getting attorneys to start at their offices abroad by offering extra perks and what not, but they basically burn them out and then force them out the door several years later.

I am not sure what country/firm you are considering, but you should try to ask around and figure these things out before seriously considering whether to accept such an offer. If your firm has a program or if they will promise to send you back to the states in a few years, then it might be safe. Otherwise, I'd be weary.

I am starting my career with a boutique law firm in Switzerland. Happy to answer questions.

Anonymous User wrote:I know several people at the firm I summered at abroad who really regret not starting in the States. They haven't been able to make it back to the States after several years, and are afraid of what will happen if they are ever let go. Senior attorneys at the firm said that back when the financial crisis hit, the first people at that foreign office (and most other foreign offices of American firms) to be let go were the American employees with no experience in the United States.

This might depend on the country, but I know that at least in some countries you can really screw yourself over by starting abroad. This also depends upon the firm; some firms are known for getting attorneys to start at their offices abroad by offering extra perks and what not, but they basically burn them out and then force them out the door several years later.

I am not sure what country/firm you are considering, but you should try to ask around and figure these things out before seriously considering whether to accept such an offer. If your firm has a program or if they will promise to send you back to the states in a few years, then it might be safe. Otherwise, I'd be weary.

Thanks everyone for the help. I thought this thread might be helpful for others, but my question specifically pertains to a V10 firm in London. As another poster suggested, it'd be capital markets (either debt or equity - I would perhaps be able to choose). I'm assuming exit options in the UK would also be diminished since it's a US firm and such specialized work? I thought lateraling back to the US (particularly NY) might not be too difficult because I understand you get a lot of early responsibility in those offices, but perhaps that isn't the case.

Working in London is more or less the same as working in the US and does not really present the same issues as working in a "real" foreign country

Anonymous User wrote:Working in London is more or less the same as working in the US and does not really present the same issues as working in a "real" foreign country

I'm also considering working in the UK out of law school, and I was wondering if you could expand on this. I've heard because of the specialized type of work, after like 3 years, lateraling back to the US would lead to a pay cut.

Does specializing so early also reduce exit options? Would exit options out of the UK be limited to in-house at UK banks, or would there be positions available in the US?

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Working in London is more or less the same as working in the US and does not really present the same issues as working in a "real" foreign country

I'm also considering working in the UK out of law school, and I was wondering if you could expand on this. I've heard because of the specialized type of work, after like 3 years, lateraling back to the US would lead to a pay cut.

Does specializing so early also reduce exit options? Would exit options out of the UK be limited to in-house at UK banks, or would there be positions available in the US?

In my firm I speak French 80-90% of the time, but the deal documents are in English. In London I imagine you do not need any special language skills or any particular cross cultural competence to get along. I don't know about exit options, but my advice to you is not to think about them. If you do a good job you will not need exit options, and if you don't, you won't have them. Your employment prospects if you leave your firm will be a function of the skills you develop and possibly the clients you can bring with you. I suggest you specialize in whatever practice area you are in, and something else outside of law, like finance or technology. If you can bring expertise from a law area and a non-law area you will be more valuable to your clients and future employers if you choose to work for someone else.

OP here. Can anyone else speak to the availability of exit options from a V10's London office, particularly after a few years working in capital markets?

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. Can anyone else speak to the availability of exit options from a V10's London office, particularly after a few years working in capital markets?

It's the wrong question to ask. After a "few years" you ought to be able to create your own opportunities.