Lateraling Abroad Forum

[Anonymous User]

I may be interested in working in biglaw abroad in a few years when I want to get out of NYC. Does anyone know the soft requirements for this kind of move? I know that a lot of the work in Asia is cap markets and M&A, but is this opportunity exclusive to V10 associates or is NYC big law in general sufficient?

[Anonymous User]

Within the firm is easier. If you want to move, the visa situation can be slightly more challenging. Finance is another field. COLA is an additional consideration for cap marks in LO and Singapore. Reach out to local recruiters in those jurisdictions to get a better sense of the market if you do not plan to transfer internally.

[Anonymous User]

Within the firm is easier. If you want to move, the visa situation can be slightly more challenging. Finance is another field. COLA is an additional consideration for cap marks in LO and Singapore. Reach out to local recruiters in those jurisdictions to get a better sense of the market if you do not plan to transfer internally.

Thanks this is very helpful. I don't think within my firm is feasible due to office locations. I was wondering if the magic circle or V10 firms in Singapore for example (there doesn't seem to be other options) would be snobbish if my firm's capital markets group isn't as strong as the V10s but that might just be TLS poisoning my brain.

[Anonymous User]

I may be interested in working in biglaw abroad in a few years when I want to get out of NYC. Does anyone know the soft requirements for this kind of move? I know that a lot of the work in Asia is cap markets and M&A, but is this opportunity exclusive to V10 associates or is NYC big law in general sufficient?

Current biglaw associate in Asia - agree with above poster that you should reach out to local recruiters to learn more. I dont think there is a hard cut off at v10, v20 or whatever. It is just more about having language skills and applying when demand is there. If you speak Chinese, moving to HK/SG/China shouldnt be too difficult as there always seem to be demand for Chinese speakers with NYC biglaw experience. Without language skills, you may have to wait around for openings, which means you should apply early and check with recruiters often.

[Anonymous User]

I may be interested in working in biglaw abroad in a few years when I want to get out of NYC. Does anyone know the soft requirements for this kind of move? I know that a lot of the work in Asia is cap markets and M&A, but is this opportunity exclusive to V10 associates or is NYC big law in general sufficient?

Current biglaw associate in Asia - agree with above poster that you should reach out to local recruiters to learn more. I dont think there is a hard cut off at v10, v20 or whatever. It is just more about having language skills and applying when demand is there. If you speak Chinese, moving to HK/SG/China shouldnt be too difficult as there always seem to be demand for Chinese speakers with NYC biglaw experience. Without language skills, you may have to wait around for openings, which means you should apply early and check with recruiters often.

Hi. Could you let us the firms who generally hire only English speaking NYC lawyers? Thank you.

[Anonymous User]

I may be interested in working in biglaw abroad in a few years when I want to get out of NYC. Does anyone know the soft requirements for this kind of move? I know that a lot of the work in Asia is cap markets and M&A, but is this opportunity exclusive to V10 associates or is NYC big law in general sufficient?

Current biglaw associate in Asia - agree with above poster that you should reach out to local recruiters to learn more. I dont think there is a hard cut off at v10, v20 or whatever. It is just more about having language skills and applying when demand is there. If you speak Chinese, moving to HK/SG/China shouldnt be too difficult as there always seem to be demand for Chinese speakers with NYC biglaw experience. Without language skills, you may have to wait around for openings, which means you should apply early and check with recruiters often.

Hi. Could you let us the firms who generally hire only English speaking NYC lawyers? Thank you.

I believe most US/UK firms (eg DPW, Skadden, Linklaters, GDC) have non Chinese/English only speakers.

[Anonymous User]

The Magic Circle firms also have English speaking only lawyers in some of the Asia offices.

But I've spoken with some lawyers who work in biglaw Asia offices, and my understanding is across the board it is becomes less common. There was a period when the perception was that english speaking lawyers with a strong legal background from the UK/US/Australia were preferable (you can see that in the partners in a lot of these offices.) My understanding is that as more and more native Chinese speakers enter the market with Western legal degrees, the preference is switching away from non-Chinese attorneys.

[Anonymous User]

The Magic Circle firms also have English speaking only lawyers in some of the Asia offices.

But I've spoken with some lawyers who work in biglaw Asia offices, and my understanding is across the board it is becomes less common. There was a period when the perception was that english speaking lawyers with a strong legal background from the UK/US/Australia were preferable (you can see that in the partners in a lot of these offices.) My understanding is that as more and more native Chinese speakers enter the market with Western legal degrees, the preference is switching away from non-Chinese attorneys.

I know that this is the way Tokyo is going and apparently Hong Kong too. Especially now with the political situation there. I think an English speaker interested in Asia would have to set their sights on Singapore or a Southeast Asia office.