Anybody Here Make It Back to the States After Legal Career Overseas? Forum

[ILlawyerinJapan]

After years working for an Asian law firm as a foreign attorney and in-house for a few companies, looking to return to the U.S. due to wife's green card issues and high international school costs. Anyone here make the leap from overseas back to the U.S.? If so, can you explain how you did it? I have a feeling my on-line applications are immediately rejected due to my Asia address. Any advice appreciated here as wife and kids will probably head back in the fall (move in with my family) before I obtain something. Thank you.

[Tls2016]

I'm sure the address is an issue. How senior are you? Can you bring any business with you? What market are you looking into? Where are you licensed in the US?

I worked overseas but it was with my firm's office.

I think you are going to have to apply everywhere and work every connection.

[ILlawyerinJapan]

Good questions. 9 years PQE. There is a likely chance my old firm would give me work but the problem is the market I look to return to (Midwest) is not big for Asian (Japanese) work. I look to return to Illinois where I am licensed.

As to the address, I have a residence I can relocate to immediately (family home). I wonder if I should use that address for my search.

[Tls2016]

Good questions. 9 years PQE. There is a likely chance my old firm would give me work but the problem is the market I look to return to (Midwest) is not big for Asian (Japanese) work. I look to return to Illinois where I am licensed.

As to the address, I have a residence I can relocate to immediately (family home). I wonder if I should use that address for my search.

Yes,use the US address.
Any business you can bring with you will only help you.
This will not be simple because you are senior.
Do you have any network at all? Once you return you should be able to start making connections that will help you.

[ILlawyerinJapan]

Good questions. 9 years PQE. There is a likely chance my old firm would give me work but the problem is the market I look to return to (Midwest) is not big for Asian (Japanese) work. I look to return to Illinois where I am licensed.

As to the address, I have a residence I can relocate to immediately (family home). I wonder if I should use that address for my search.

Yes,use the US address.
Any business you can bring with you will only help you.
This will not be simple because you are senior.
Do you have any network at all? Once you return you should be able to start making connections that will help you.

Thank you Tls. I'm actually looking to go in-house because I'm currently in-house with pharma but doing corporate generalist work. Yes, my network is not very large as I only practiced in Illinois for about 1 year and a few months at a small law firm in the suburbs. I went to a small Indiana law school and career services has been helpful.

Another problem is financially I can't return without a job and search, so the hunt will have to be from here. My wife needs to renew her green card in September and we want the kids to start school in August. I'll be supporting them from here if I can't obtain something by the time they move in the summer.