Top Law Schools

How helpful are foreign language skills in biglaw?( if I am a native speaker of the foreign language). Additionally, are foreign language skills helpful in every practice group? For example, generally, M&A seems to be the practice group where foreign language skills are helpful; but, what about for something like tax?

Foreign language skills are very helpful if you’re doing securities offerings for foreign companies. Most US lawyers working abroad are in this practice area (with a smaller number doing M&A or international arbitration). You could probably look at bios of US lawyers based in all of, eg, Cleary’s foreign offices and see what they’re doing to get a proxy of what practice areas foreign language skills would be helpful in.

Foreign language skills are only helpful if you plan to practice in a country where that language is spoken. If you just work in New York, being able to speak Japanese, Korean, French, etc doesn't really mean anything. Spanish however seems different. Spanish skills do seem essential for Latin American practice in New York.

Foreign language skills may not be valuable for juniors but are invaluable as you make a run for partner because they give you an edge/niche for building a book of business

Language skills can help you get staffed on certain matters if your practice group has work in other countries/languages. That can be good or bad depending on the matter and the partners you'd be working for.