H1B policies Forum

[Anonymous User]

International rising 2L here. Got a few offers at OCI, was wondering whether anyone had any experience with how firms handled the H1B process. I'd be interested in the following (all NY):
Kirkland & Ellis
Milbank
Paul Weiss
Weil

[Anonymous User]

I can’t speak for the specific firms you mentioned, but in my experience the process is smooth. Firms work with outside immigration counsel and they do all the leg work - you just have to provide some of the supporting documentation and fill out some forms. If you’re lucky enough to win the H1B lottery it’s an easy process. They do premium processing so you hear back quickly. If you don’t win, there are hopefully fallback options such as temporarily sending you to another office abroad (eg in your home country or any country where they have an office and where you’re authorized to work). I’ve also done a H1B “transfer” when lateraling. The process is much faster than I had anticipated. Just took a couple of weeks to process the transfer. Anyway to summarize, it’s pretty smooth unless you lose the H1B lottery.

[Anonymous User]

I can’t speak for the specific firms you mentioned, but in my experience the process is smooth. Firms work with outside immigration counsel and they do all the leg work - you just have to provide some of the supporting documentation and fill out some forms. If you’re lucky enough to win the H1B lottery it’s an easy process. They do premium processing so you hear back quickly. If you don’t win, there are hopefully fallback options such as temporarily sending you to another office abroad (eg in your home country or any country where they have an office and where you’re authorized to work). I’ve also done a H1B “transfer” when lateraling. The process is much faster than I had anticipated. Just took a couple of weeks to process the transfer. Anyway to summarize, it’s pretty smooth unless you lose the H1B lottery.

What if you don't win the lottery, though? Do they just hang you out to dry?

[Anonymous User]

There’s usually backup options (I mentioned sending you to a different office temporarily - that seems like the most common one). I was fortunate enough to win the lottery but I know people who didn’t. Depending on the firms and your individual situation, they’ll try to work around it as best they can, but of course they can’t break the law. Most major big law firms (especially the ones with multiple offices abroad) deal with visas/immigration issues all the time and have people that know the H1B process very well. If you already have offers I don’t think there is any harm in asking about the visa process. I recently lateraled and firms were happy to walk me through it before I accepted my offer - it was actually very helpful and comforting to see that they know the drill. Good luck with the lottery. I know it can be very nerve racking…

[Anonymous User]

I can’t speak for the specific firms you mentioned, but in my experience the process is smooth. Firms work with outside immigration counsel and they do all the leg work - you just have to provide some of the supporting documentation and fill out some forms. If you’re lucky enough to win the H1B lottery it’s an easy process. They do premium processing so you hear back quickly. If you don’t win, there are hopefully fallback options such as temporarily sending you to another office abroad (eg in your home country or any country where they have an office and where you’re authorized to work). I’ve also done a H1B “transfer” when lateraling. The process is much faster than I had anticipated. Just took a couple of weeks to process the transfer. Anyway to summarize, it’s pretty smooth unless you lose the H1B lottery.

What if you don't win the lottery, though? Do they just hang you out to dry?

As anon above said, they would transfer an office they have abroad where you can work if you don't win the lottery. If you never win it, then I guess it depends on whether you want to stay at that office, or if the firm is willing to keep you in that office. I will say that if you're doing litigation, it's not going to be possible to do that in a non-US office coming from a US law school. Have heard of many 1st years that had to transfer to London and switch to corporate work because of that.

[Anonymous User]

Think I saw a thread several months ago about this that might help, OP. But you are right that your chief concern should be what happens if you lose lottery — some firms fire you, others are flexible and put you in a foreign office.

[Anonymous User]

On Weil, I have a friend/co-worker who was in the U.S. on an H1B. This friend tried to talk to the firm about sponsoring and the lottery, and wasn't given any real straight answers. This friend didn't feel confident that the firm would help if needed, FWIW.

[Anonymous User]

Milbank will sponsor your H1B. If you don’t win the lottery they’ll give you the option to go to London and do high-yield work or to go to an Asia office if you have language skills and or interest. Singapore and HK being most likely options. I have not heard of folks being let go at Milbank as a result of not winning the lottery but of course nothing is guaranteed in this life.

[Anonymous User]

chances of getting fired for not getting H1B at PW are pretty high - I remember talking to their HR a while ago and they said relocation is not always doable. Their London and HK offices are both pretty small, and I also got the sense that they are the NY-or-bust kinda firm. Just FYI. The most visa friendly option you have is probs Kirkland.

[Anonymous User]

Skadden is fantastic around flexibility for immigration issues (H1B, L1, green card sponsorships, foreign postings for trying to make things work around what you need immigration-wise, etc.).

[Anonymous User]

chances of getting fired for not getting H1B at PW are pretty high - I remember talking to their HR a while ago and they said relocation is not always doable. Their London and HK offices are both pretty small, and I also got the sense that they are the NY-or-bust kinda firm. Just FYI. The most visa friendly option you have is probs Kirkland.

OP here. Any more specific info on Kirkland?

With respect to the whole office relocation thing (talking specifically about K&E); assuming that they do relocate you to London and then you try to go for the H-1B lottery again and don't get it, would they just keep you around in London?

[Anonymous User]

For what it’s worth I actually do know someone who was at Kirkland NY, didn’t get the lottery, and they sent him to London and was able to stay there for a couple of years. That was a few years ago. I think he could have stayed but he eventually decided to move to a different office abroad (not for visa reasons). If you’re in a practice area that’s actually in demand / active in London, there’s probably a good chance they’d just let you stay there (because if you’re busy and legally authorized to work there, why not?).

[Anonymous User]

chances of getting fired for not getting H1B at PW are pretty high - I remember talking to their HR a while ago and they said relocation is not always doable. Their London and HK offices are both pretty small, and I also got the sense that they are the NY-or-bust kinda firm. Just FYI. The most visa friendly option you have is probs Kirkland.

OP here. Any more specific info on Kirkland?

With respect to the whole office relocation thing (talking specifically about K&E); assuming that they do relocate you to London and then you try to go for the H-1B lottery again and don't get it, would they just keep you around in London?

I think you should have this convo with KE HR directly - they were very helpful. KE has a huge (and very profitable) office in London, so I would assume the answer is probs yes.