Australian Barrister working in NYC Forum

[Anonymous User]

Cheers

[Anonymous User]

No LLM (or JD, etc.) = no job as a lawyer in NYC. You need to be qualified in New York first. The main exception is if you can be hired as an international associate (basically, a visiting associate from your current Australian firm) by a New York firm. If don't work for an Australian firm with a relationship with an American firm, you're probably out of luck.

Especially a problem in litigation, as there's little value-add from an international perspective and the differences between US and non-US law are much more stark in litigation settings than in transactional work. Your arbitration experience could help if it is in internationally recognized arbitration settings.

I suppose it can't hurt to send out feelers directly to firm recruiting departments, though.

[jaysnooginz]

I am an Australian barrister interested in working in NYC. My partner has landed a job as a law professor there.
I'd be grateful for your views on whether I'd be a shot of landing a BIGLAW lit position.
Some of my background -
I've practised commercial litigation for five years.
I've conducted and argued trials and appeals in the courts of my state at all levels and in the Federal Court of Australia.
I appeared in a constitutional case in the ultimate Australian appellate court (High Court of Australia) last year.
I've appeared in commercial arbitrations. I've also appeared in an overseas court as an Australian barrister.
Before I commenced practise at the Bar I clerked for a judge of an Australian state Court of Appeal.
I don't have an LLM.
Cheers from Australia.

Bust ass sending out feelers to firms.

[AussieJoe]

Thanks for the replies.

I may be exempt from the LLM requirement (see http://www.nybarexam.org/Foreign/Foreig ... cation.htm) and eligible to take the Bar Exams.

Also, a university friend took the exams with a UK LLM last year. He works at a top 5 firm (but the rules may have changed).

Unfortunately my arbitration experience is only domestic, but I have run trials outside of Australia.

I hear you concerning differences in law, but I suspect litigation core skills (drawing pleadings, outlines of arguments, taking witnesses, trial and appeal advocacy etc) are some what similar and transferrable (that'd be my argument anyway).

[Anonymous User]

i mean if you have practiced for more than five years than you really know way more than anyone here in the forum, we are essentially just law students or junior people in a firm, tops. Im sure your connections will serve you well and I wish the best of luck for you in NYC!

[jaysnooginz]

i mean if you have practiced for more than five years than you really know way more than anyone here in the forum, we are essentially just law students or junior people in a firm, tops. Im sure your connections will serve you well and I wish the best of luck for you in NYC!

Ya you sound much more experienced than 99% of us. You should also contact the New York state bar and see what they say. https://www.nysba.org/contact/

[AussieJoe]

Thanks for your advice, insights and wishes.
Would the top firms have me start as a first year, or would I slot in somewhere above (given my experience). I'd prefer admission in NY, rather than practising as a foreign associate or consultant.

[CanadianWolf]

I have experience. Regardless, it is difficult to offer an answer to your question as to whether or not you could land a biglaw litigation position in New York City. My question to you is "Why would you want to work for a biglaw litigation section in NYC ?". By now, you should know better.

[CanadianWolf]

Maybe your inquiry will be better addressed by posting on lawstudents.ca. This is a Canadian website offering helpful advice better suited to your concerns.

[AussieJoe]

CW, fair comment. I do know better!