Help me strategize to lateral back to US Forum

[Anonymous User]

8th year associate
T14 undergrad and law
5 year T30 US biglaw
3 year local biglaw aborad
Experience in finance and CM. Some M&A.
I want to move back to US, ideally NYC.

Do I have a shot at moving back to biglaw?
Any strategies (even with a detour if necessary)?
Any firms I can focus on?
Any idea help is really appreciated!

[nealric]

I would think you should be able to do this without too much trouble, although being an 8th year complicates things a bit being on the bubble between associate/counsel/partner.

Worked on any deals with NYC firms that might think well of you? You may want to reach out.

[PeanutsNJam]

I'm assuming you do corp and not lit, since corp is the vast majority of overseas work. Lateraling to biglaw is probably going to be tough as a senior associate, but not impossible. As an 8th year they'll prob be as concerned about your book of business and/or client relationships as they are your experience and capabilities, so play that up?

Your chances of finding an in-house job are much higher.

[papermateflair]

Is there a reason why you can't just ask your firm to transfer you back to NYC? I think that would be easier, and presumably they would rather keep you around at this point than have you go somewhere else, particularly if you have good relationships with the clients.

[Anonymous User]

Is there a reason why you can't just ask your firm to transfer you back to NYC? I think that would be easier, and presumably they would rather keep you around at this point than have you go somewhere else, particularly if you have good relationships with the clients.

OP here.
Because as I said in my posting I am in a local big firm? My current firm has no foreign office let alone a US office.

[Anonymous User]

I'm assuming you do corp and not lit, since corp is the vast majority of overseas work.
Your chances of finding an in-house job are much higher.

OP here.
Yes as I said in my post I am in corp/transactionals.
Isn't high paying in house much harder to find?
Any idea which companies (or what kind of companies) would prefer candidates with international legal experience? As opposed to pure US expertise..

[ghostoftraynor]

Is there a reason why you can't just ask your firm to transfer you back to NYC? I think that would be easier, and presumably they would rather keep you around at this point than have you go somewhere else, particularly if you have good relationships with the clients.

OP here.
Because as I said in my posting I am in a local big firm? My current firm has no foreign office let alone a US office.

Local big law reads like “local satellite of us big law firm.” Being snarky because you weren’t clear to isn’t going to help you get a job anywhere.

[2013]

I think you may have to take a haircut and come in as a mid level, but I can’t see a firm not being interested in this busy market. And it’s not like you have no experience in a US firm. I’d find a good recruiter, though.

Secondly, I think you’re going to have to craft a good story for why you left your firm after 5 years and why you’re trying to come back to the US.

[Anonymous User]

I think you may have to take a haircut and come in as a mid level, but I can’t see a firm not being interested in this busy market. And it’s not like you have no experience in a US firm. I’d find a good recruiter, though.

Is it better to use a recruiter than to apply directly on firm website (in my case)?
Any good recruiters for nyc market? Thanks

[papermateflair]

I think if you have a straightforward story, or really obvious bona fides, there's no need for a recruiter. But a good recruiter can help tell your story and advocate for you - they'll know what the firm wants to hear, and be able to negotiate on your behalf (obviously not all recruiters are good recruiters!!). A firm who really wants a mid-level or senior associate isn't going to reject a great candidate because they come through a recruiter (unlike an indistinguishable junior associate).

[The Lsat Airbender]

Is there a reason why you can't just ask your firm to transfer you back to NYC? I think that would be easier, and presumably they would rather keep you around at this point than have you go somewhere else, particularly if you have good relationships with the clients.

OP here.
Because as I said in my posting I am in a local big firm? My current firm has no foreign office let alone a US office.

Local big law reads like “local satellite of us big law firm.” Being snarky because you weren’t clear to isn’t going to help you get a job anywhere.

Made sense to me, tbf.

Agree that at recruiter would be a good idea, partly because they'll know what OP can realistically expect in terms of pay/class year.

[Anonymous User]

8th year associate
T14 undergrad and law
5 year T30 US biglaw
3 year local biglaw aborad
Experience in finance and CM. Some M&A.
I want to move back to US, ideally NYC.

Do I have a shot at moving back to biglaw?
Any strategies (even with a detour if necessary)?
Any firms I can focus on?
Any idea help is really appreciated!

I did this a few years ago with slightly worse credentials than you. It was not terribly difficult but I could not be overly selective in my first job back in the USA. I can’t predict how receptive NYC firms will be, but it really depends on where you worked abroad. I think your best course is to apply in the major US market related to where you worked, i.e., if you were in Asia try California, if you were in LatAm try Miami. When I returned I went midlaw first and now am at BigLaw in my desired city (different from the midlaw city or state). I got half credit basically in terms of time served for my years abroad - so expect to come in as a 7th year at best. Feel free to PM for specifics.