Special snowflake targeting London Forum

[Anonymous User]

I know how unlikely landing a job in London is, but if I wanted to take a stab at it, how would I go about doing so?

For background, near top of the class grades at my T20. Should I just target firms with London offices and hope I don't get laughed at when I mention that's where I'd like to summer? Is mass mailing the Magic Circle a thing?

[Anonymous User]

Only anecdotal, but a person I know who managed to snag a London SA in OCI had a lot of experience abroad. It wasn't necessarily work-related, but she had traveled extensively (I think she was also born outside the U.S.). Obviously, not everyone is lucky enough to be able to have traveled frequently, but I would highlight any int'l experience (esp in the U.K., obviously). From their perspective, I imagine it gives them some confidence that you won't get homesick and bail for the U.S. in a year.

[SmokeytheBear]

Search the forum, as there is a thread of a partner (I believe at a US firm's london office) who is answering questions.

He answered this question for a few people and the general sense was that it's not going to happen.

[Anonymous User]

Search the forum, as there is a thread of a partner (I believe at a US firm's london office) who is answering questions.

He answered this question for a few people and the general sense was that it's not going to happen.

OP here. Thanks -- urm, cheers.

[emkay625]

I have a friend who managed to do this, but they had a few years of work experience in international banking prior to law school and also speak multiple languages. He was also getting his joint JD/MBA. My guess is you would need some sort of background like this that makes you an asset to a London office.

[qxfr]

I'm not the partner from the other threads but I am NY qualified and spent a few years in London, across two V25 firms, doing a mix of restructuring, general capital markets, and specifically high yield and leveraged finance. Only one of the firms I worked for had summers in London, and I would say that all of them had either some nexus to London or Europe, but I don't know if that was necessary. In general, US firms have a tough time keeping people in London for the long haul so I think there are usually opportunities opening up - even if you do not get a summer in London I think it is not that hard to end up in London if you can get a job at a good firm in New York (which it sounds like you can). Right now is probably not the best time, however; my sense is that hiring market for US-qualified lawyers is not that amazing and a lot of firms have overhired a bit in anticipation of extra demand that never came.

I can't imagine anyone would laugh at you when you say that's where you want to summer - tons of US firms have London offices and a lot of the bigger ones will rotate summers there. It's definitely worth a shot. PM if you want some more specific info.

[Anonymous User]

I got a summer placement in London. International experience helps, if you don't have any you should come up with a really strong response for why you want to go to London.
I think firms are weary of people just looking for a free trip abroad. Also, you should target magic circle firms when interviewing. Good luck!

[Nebby]

I know how unlikely landing a job in London is, but if I wanted to take a stab at it, how would I go about doing so?

For background, near top of the class grades at my T20. Should I just target firms with London offices and hope I don't get laughed at when I mention that's where I'd like to summer? Is mass mailing the Magic Circle a thing?

Only people I know who got London were people with prior experience in London or related to it (either work or study).

[deepseapartners]

PM me

[Anonymous User]

I know how unlikely landing a job in London is, but if I wanted to take a stab at it, how would I go about doing so?

For background, near top of the class grades at my T20. Should I just target firms with London offices and hope I don't get laughed at when I mention that's where I'd like to summer? Is mass mailing the Magic Circle a thing?

Only people I know who got London were people with prior experience in London or related to it (either work or study).

Any arbitration or all cap markets?