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Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 25, 2021 10:34 am

I agree that this should be the number 1 concern of any international law student. I have met multiple people joining S&C and DPW because they are higher on Vault and then realizing that, although they sponsor H-1Bs, these firms have case-by-case GC sponsorship policies that will just generate more anxiety than anything else in your life. In my experience, these two firms are at the end of the spectrum (meaning the worst).

Then you have K&E and Weil, who sponsor H-1Bs and have a policy that they only sponsor for GC after you have been at the firm on H-1B for 4 years. I know at least 1 person from each of these firms who was in an emergency situation, needed the firm to sponsor faster, the matter was brought up with the admin leaders/vouched for by heads of practices, with the result that nothing can override this policy. Given the current timelines, 4 years is just too long. I would consider these firms to be middle-of-the-road/not the best options.

Finally, I think that the best policies for international students (H-1B sponsorships, potential relocations to other offices, very early GC sponsorships) are at the more global firms. Those I know about from personal experience/multiple friends are definitely Latham, and then a step below are Skadden, and Linklaters.

I bet there are more firms in each category, but this summarizes what I found out throughout the years. As far as other data points, I know a person that was relocated to London because he/she didn’t win the H-1B lottery, at Ropes & Gray. This was a US-centric practice so that person worked on US time zone on US matters. I hope it helps!

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 25, 2021 10:34 am

I agree that this should be the number 1 concern of any international law student. I have met multiple people joining S&C and DPW because they are higher on Vault and then realizing that, although they sponsor H-1Bs, these firms have case-by-case GC sponsorship policies that will just generate more anxiety than anything else in your life. In my experience, these two firms are at the end of the spectrum (meaning the worst).

Then you have K&E and Weil, who sponsor H-1Bs and have a policy that they only sponsor for GC after you have been at the firm on H-1B for 4 years. I know at least 1 person from each of these firms who was in an emergency situation, needed the firm to sponsor faster, the matter was brought up with the admin leaders/vouched for by heads of practices, with the result that nothing can override this policy. Given the current timelines, 4 years is just too long. I would consider these firms to be middle-of-the-road/not the best options.

Finally, I think that the best policies for international students (H-1B sponsorships, potential relocations to other offices, very early GC sponsorships) are at the more global firms. Those I know about from personal experience/multiple friends are definitely Latham, and then a step below are Skadden, and Linklaters.

I bet there are more firms in each category, but this summarizes what I found out throughout the years. As far as other data points, I know a person that was relocated to London because he/she didn’t win the H-1B lottery, at Ropes & Gray. This was a US-centric practice so that person worked on US time zone on US matters. I hope it helps!

gontid wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 25, 2021 12:22 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 25, 2021 10:34 am

I agree that this should be the number 1 concern of any international law student. I have met multiple people joining S&C and DPW because they are higher on Vault and then realizing that, although they sponsor H-1Bs, these firms have case-by-case GC sponsorship policies that will just generate more anxiety than anything else in your life. In my experience, these two firms are at the end of the spectrum (meaning the worst).

Then you have K&E and Weil, who sponsor H-1Bs and have a policy that they only sponsor for GC after you have been at the firm on H-1B for 4 years. I know at least 1 person from each of these firms who was in an emergency situation, needed the firm to sponsor faster, the matter was brought up with the admin leaders/vouched for by heads of practices, with the result that nothing can override this policy. Given the current timelines, 4 years is just too long. I would consider these firms to be middle-of-the-road/not the best options.

Finally, I think that the best policies for international students (H-1B sponsorships, potential relocations to other offices, very early GC sponsorships) are at the more global firms. Those I know about from personal experience/multiple friends are definitely Latham, and then a step below are Skadden, and Linklaters.

I bet there are more firms in each category, but this summarizes what I found out throughout the years. As far as other data points, I know a person that was relocated to London because he/she didn’t win the H-1B lottery, at Ropes & Gray. This was a US-centric practice so that person worked on US time zone on US matters. I hope it helps!

Wondering about the timeline at Latham. Also S&C's official policy seems to indicate that they will consider sponsoring at the beginning of the second three-year period, even though it's discretionary.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 27, 2021 12:32 am

Does anyone have experience asking for a GC sponsorship as a lateral? Is this something you can negotiate for, and if so how much experience do you need to bring to the table?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 27, 2021 11:03 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 27, 2021 12:32 am

Does anyone have experience asking for a GC sponsorship as a lateral? Is this something you can negotiate for, and if so how much experience do you need to bring to the table?

I was able to get them to commit to GC sponsorship after a year pretty easily as a lateral at Latham. I'm not even sure I asked about it, I asked about H1B (I'm normally on TN) and they volunteered the GC.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 30, 2021 11:03 pm

For anyone who has lateraled and successfully negotiated for the firm to apply for a GC for them, what year were you? I'm trying to figure out if I have any leverage with my current firm to try to get them to commit to a GC application earlier than their normal policy (one of the firms listed in the spreadsheet).

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 30, 2021 8:22 pm

Can someone explain the 3l lottery for non stems? I asked about this at my school but no one knew.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 01, 2021 8:56 pm

Thanks a lot. Just curious, but is there a reason a firm wouldn't do this? It seems like both sides win if the candidate who summered stays. What's the deal with some firms okaying this and some not?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:34 pm

Fellow international students, what has your track record with direct applying been like? Totally anecdotal, but I have not had a good return with direct applying which almost always asks about visa needs.