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Question:

I am a junior associate at a US Law Firm, and want to know if it is possible (and if so, how to go about it) to work temporarily at an overseas office of my firm. My firm is fairly international with 10+ offices outside the US. What I'm thinking is: would it be possible to go work at an overseas office for a week or two out of the year?

Obviously this is very easy to do in the states and is done all the time when some cases get serious and people work with lawyers from other offices, but what about international offices? My reasons for doing so are a little bit of everything: potential business development in the long run, meeting new attorneys internationally, and also getting to live and experience a new place for a week or two during the year.

Much appreciated.

Depends on the specific overseas office and whether you want/expect them to pay for your travel expenses to that office.

Frankly, saying you want to work overseas for 1-2 weeks/year sounds like you're angling for an all-expenses-paid overseas vacation. You're not going to develop any business - especially as a junior - by parachuting into Brussels or Sydney or Hong Kong for a week. Typical overseas stints are much longer (at least on the order of months) and tend to be non-recurring.

Anonymous User wrote:Question:

I am a junior associate at a US Law Firm, and want to know if it is possible (and if so, how to go about it) to work temporarily at an overseas office of my firm. My firm is fairly international with 10+ offices outside the US. What I'm thinking is: would it be possible to go work at an overseas office for a week or two out of the year?

Obviously this is very easy to do in the states and is done all the time when some cases get serious and people work with lawyers from other offices, but what about international offices? My reasons for doing so are a little bit of everything: potential business development in the long run, meeting new attorneys internationally, and also getting to live and experience a new place for a week or two during the year.

Much appreciated.

Assuming all you’re talking about is using the office space in the international office, instead of being in your home office, I don’t think it should be an issue. An associate I work with did this when his girlfriend had to travel to Europe for a two week work trip, and no one cared (even if obviously that does kind of sound like being on vacation). I’m sure some practice groups, at some firms, would have a different view, though. You know your group better than us. If you’re asking for them to pay for travel, etc, then yeah it’s a different story.

Elston Gunn wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Question:

I am a junior associate at a US Law Firm, and want to know if it is possible (and if so, how to go about it) to work temporarily at an overseas office of my firm. My firm is fairly international with 10+ offices outside the US. What I'm thinking is: would it be possible to go work at an overseas office for a week or two out of the year?

Obviously this is very easy to do in the states and is done all the time when some cases get serious and people work with lawyers from other offices, but what about international offices? My reasons for doing so are a little bit of everything: potential business development in the long run, meeting new attorneys internationally, and also getting to live and experience a new place for a week or two during the year.

Much appreciated.

Assuming all you’re talking about is using the office space in the international office, instead of being in your home office, I don’t think it should be an issue. An associate I work with did this when his girlfriend had to travel to Europe for a two week work trip, and no one cared (even if obviously that does kind of sound like being on vacation). I’m sure some practice groups, at some firms, would have a different view, though. You know your group better than us. If you’re asking for them to pay for travel, etc, then yeah it’s a different story.

Yes, maybe I was hasty. I read the biz dev/networking justifications to suggest that OP wanted their firm to cover their travel costs. If it's just a matter of making use of office space, then assuming the office in question has space available for visiting attorneys (some international offices may be extremely tiny), it will likely be fine.

OP here. Thanks for the replies.

I am in no way expecting or even thinking about asking the firm to reimburse travel, etc.

I basically would just like to go physically work in an international office for a couple weeks a year. I wouldn't look at it as vacation, since I would still be working the same hours as if I was here in the states. Just in a different city. I think it's a pretty cool idea.

I just wanted to run this idea by people here before seriously considering going through and asking the firm. My group is pretty chill and I have very good relationships with the partners I work with, so I don't think they would mind at all. I just wanted to see if other people have ever done this or how the firm would look at it. Also, another important question-- would this require a work visa??? Because that would be a hassle.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies.

I am in no way expecting or even thinking about asking the firm to reimburse travel, etc.

I basically would just like to go physically work in an international office for a couple weeks a year. I wouldn't look at it as vacation, since I would still be working the same hours as if I was here in the states. Just in a different city. I think it's a pretty cool idea.

I just wanted to run this idea by people here before seriously considering going through and asking the firm. My group is pretty chill and I have very good relationships with the partners I work with, so I don't think they would mind at all. I just wanted to see if other people have ever done this or how the firm would look at it. Also, another important question-- would this require a work visa??? Because that would be a hassle.

I think it’d be fine unless you took like a 2 week vacation immediately after the trip.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies.

I am in no way expecting or even thinking about asking the firm to reimburse travel, etc.

I basically would just like to go physically work in an international office for a couple weeks a year. I wouldn't look at it as vacation, since I would still be working the same hours as if I was here in the states. Just in a different city. I think it's a pretty cool idea.

I just wanted to run this idea by people here before seriously considering going through and asking the firm. My group is pretty chill and I have very good relationships with the partners I work with, so I don't think they would mind at all. I just wanted to see if other people have ever done this or how the firm would look at it. Also, another important question-- would this require a work visa??? Because that would be a hassle.

In that case, go for it. Shouldn't hurt to ask!

The visa question is an interesting one. I suspect laws will vary by country. Maybe try a bit of Googling, or consult with the staff at your firm who normally arrange for international travel - they should know. If your firm has an office in a particular country, I guarantee there have been U.S.-based attorneys from your firm who've traveled to - and worked in - that jurisdiction in the recent past.