London Market, UK National, JD -> London? Forum

[togoornottogo]

UK national here, no green card, I am planning on applying to T14 schools to matriculate in 2016. I think I have a good chance of NYU/Columbia/Penn if that has an impact on likelihood of working in London versus lower T14. I have done a bit of research on likelihood on staying in US post law school but not seeking advice on that topic right now. I am curious if anyone here has moved to a London office of a US firm with a JD. If not, any stories about colleagues moving or classmates directly out of school would be great as well. Assuming I am unable to stay in the US post-grad I would welcome working in London, provided it is with a US firm. So far I have come across this list which lists American firms in London, but doesn't exactly spell out if many are Junior Associates or what the split is of UK/US qualified. The list if you are interested.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/law-fi ... -in-the-uk

[togoornottogo]

Bump.

[jasonredranger]

Kirkland, Latham, Cleary, and Cravath all have reputable London offices that recruit ~5 American associates/year. Normally, at least one London office will come to your undetermined T14's OCI. I think Ivies are your best bet - from what I understand, London offices will disproportionately recruit from Ivies as their European clients rely on name recognition... So, for example, I think you'd be better off going to Penn than NYU, Michigan, or Duke.

[Anonymous User]

There are quite some alumni from Duke working in London, especially Latham. This year, Clifford Chance, White & Case, Latham, Freshfields, Allen & Overy were all recruiting for their london office at Duke. If you really want it, you will likely be able to go to London immediately after graduation, particularly given your personal connection to the UK. Be prepared to only do Capital Markets tho' for the rest of your life...

[Anonymous User]

I'm a UK student at one of the schools you mentioned (anonymous because I'd like to be candid and not out myself).

To answer your question: both US and UK firms interview at my school for their London offices. You will not have much difficulty getting an offer somewhere if you have decent grades and show a legitimate interest in going. In this case, your ties to the UK can only help you.

I have to ask, though: why? Three years of US law school seems an unnecessarily long and expensive route to practicing law in London. I assume you have a degree from a UK university already. Why not do the conversion->LPC->TC route instead?