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Hi All --

I'll be working in Los Angeles over the summer. I'm splitting my summer between two firms. I go to school in Los Angeles, but I am spending fall semester in London. Does this mean my last firm will cover my flight from LA to London?

Anonymous User wrote:Hi All --

I'll be working in Los Angeles over the summer. I'm splitting my summer between two firms. I go to school in Los Angeles, but I am spending fall semester in London. Does this mean my last firm will cover my flight from LA to London?

It's usually school --> work and work --> school covered or potentially to home instead. In your case they weren't budgeting for any travel for you so I would think they may push back at adding a (expensive) flight. You can and should ask recruiting but I'd think no.

didn't know firms paid any moving expenses at all for SAs. None of my SA firms did this

2014 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Hi All --

I'll be working in Los Angeles over the summer. I'm splitting my summer between two firms. I go to school in Los Angeles, but I am spending fall semester in London. Does this mean my last firm will cover my flight from LA to London?

It's usually school --> work and work --> school covered or potentially to home instead. In your case they weren't budgeting for any travel for you so I would think they may push back at adding a (expensive) flight. You can and should ask recruiting but I'd think no.

I would ask generally about firm policy on paying for flights. I would not want to be known as the kid who expects us to fly him to London. But maybe I'm too cautious.

Tls2016 wrote:

2014 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Hi All --

I'll be working in Los Angeles over the summer. I'm splitting my summer between two firms. I go to school in Los Angeles, but I am spending fall semester in London. Does this mean my last firm will cover my flight from LA to London?

It's usually school --> work and work --> school covered or potentially to home instead. In your case they weren't budgeting for any travel for you so I would think they may push back at adding a (expensive) flight. You can and should ask recruiting but I'd think no.

I would ask generally about firm policy on paying for flights. I would not want to be known as the kid who expects us to fly him to London. But maybe I'm too cautious.

I agree here... Flights to London from LA run what, $400-500 bucks? I'd pony up the cash and just pay my own way.

I am risk adverse re reputation issues, so I'd just avoid a potentially awkward conversation.

RaceJudicata wrote:

Tls2016 wrote:

2014 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Hi All --

I'll be working in Los Angeles over the summer. I'm splitting my summer between two firms. I go to school in Los Angeles, but I am spending fall semester in London. Does this mean my last firm will cover my flight from LA to London?

It's usually school --> work and work --> school covered or potentially to home instead. In your case they weren't budgeting for any travel for you so I would think they may push back at adding a (expensive) flight. You can and should ask recruiting but I'd think no.

I would ask generally about firm policy on paying for flights. I would not want to be known as the kid who expects us to fly him to London. But maybe I'm too cautious.

I agree here... Flights to London from LA run what, $400-500 bucks? I'd pony up the cash and just pay my own way.

I am risk adverse re reputation issues, so I'd just avoid a potentially awkward conversation.

I think LAX to London will be more like 7-800 but regardless, I wouldn't ask a firm to do this. I think the assumption is domestic flights only. They might pay it fine, but opinions can clearly differ on this. If it's borderline like this, don't start off on the wrong foot by being "that" associate.

You should make more than enough money to pay for your own flight fine.

Um, no. This is an absolutely absurd thing to ask. Your firm job will end and you are expected to go back to wherever you live. The fact that you have chosen to study abroad has nothing to do with the firm, and they are under no obligation (biglaw SA or not) to provide you transportation to your study abroad. This is really far beyond the pale and I would certainly not ask. And yes, as a native SoCal person who lived in London for a few years, summer flights to Europe (pre-Labor day) will generally be much, much closer to $700-800 than $500. They're paying you thousands of dollars a week. Buy your own GD plan ticket. A firm is not expected to buy your everything. Come on. Just no!

I have a related question. I'm thinking of driving to my Summer Associate city from my law school. It's like a 2000 mile drive. The firm will pay for the flights at the beginning and end of the summer. Would it be appropriate to ask for cash to cover the drive instead?

Anonymous User wrote:I have a related question. I'm thinking of driving to my Summer Associate city from my law school. It's like a 2000 mile drive. The firm will pay for the flights at the beginning and end of the summer. Would it be appropriate to ask for cash to cover the drive instead?

Most firms reimburse local travel at the IRS rate. They may not pay for the whole thing, but especially if you need your car at the destination they might be more amenable. I drove cross-country for my 1L internship and it was exhausting...give yourself time to decompress before you start. Road trips are so great though!

How common is it for firms to cover flights? My NYC firm hasn't mentioned it at all

I think it's common for NYC firms, but it's usually only to your school.