London Biglaw out of school - Realistic? Forum

[jasonredranger]

I'm a UK national that's lived in the US for most of my life, but I'm pretty sure I'd like to work/live in London after school - I have ties (family) there, lived there as a child, and the lifestyle is incomparable, in my opinion. I'm a 0L at Cornell and I'm trying to figure out how I can land an offer at an American biglaw office in London, but I've got a few questions:


1) Is it realistic to hope for an offer from a London office? How aggressively do they recruit from the T14?
2) What's the bid/interview process like for these offices? Is it like any other major market or are they looking for something in particular?
3) How important are grades for these offices?
4) What are the opportunities for advancement? Is it a dead-end, career-wise, relative to NYC, for example?


Any anecdotes, tips, or experiences are much appreciated!

[baal hadad]

Wrong sub forum 0L

[AntipodeanPhil]

How do you feel about capital markets work?

[jasonredranger]

How do you feel about capital markets work?

Seems like a cool area to be practicing in. Granted, I don't know much about it, but working on the structuring and trading of securities sounds cool to me.

[chem!]

I moved this into the appropriate forum.

Please read this about posting in the Students and Graduates Forum (where you posted this initially.) Thanks.

[romanticegotist]

actually not a total impossibility, especially if you have ties.

you are likely going to have to go to a good school then go to a good firm to make it happen, though. nature of the beast, etc.

[banjo]

For once, an 0L has a realistic goal. Yes, as a UK citizen, if you attend a top school, you have a good shot at capital markets work in London. Data from my own school suggests that median grades should be okay.

[JamMasterJ]

Yes, especially in capital markets. For instance, at NYU, several magic circle firms and a few UK offices of NY firms come to EIW. I'd say you can get as many as 10 interviews at those firms. Not sure how many recruit at Cornell, but I'd assume most do.

You should be thinking NYC cap markets work in the short term though as a backup plan.UK offices aren't crazy selective but their just aren't enough SA slots to put all your eggs in that basket.

[jasonredranger]

Yes, especially in capital markets. For instance, at NYU, several magic circle firms and a few UK offices of NY firms come to EIW. I'd say you can get as many as 10 interviews at those firms. Not sure how many recruit at Cornell, but I'd assume most do.

You should be thinking NYC cap markets work in the short term though as a backup plan.UK offices aren't crazy selective but their just aren't enough SA slots to put all your eggs in that basket.

Good to hear - I was under the impression that they were very grade-selective. Is it more of a visa issue, then?

[JamMasterJ]

Yes, especially in capital markets. For instance, at NYU, several magic circle firms and a few UK offices of NY firms come to EIW. I'd say you can get as many as 10 interviews at those firms. Not sure how many recruit at Cornell, but I'd assume most do.

You should be thinking NYC cap markets work in the short term though as a backup plan.UK offices aren't crazy selective but their just aren't enough SA slots to put all your eggs in that basket.

Good to hear - I was under the impression that they were very grade-selective. Is it more of a visa issue, then?

I mean, somewhat selective, but not like the V10 or anything. The biggest barrier to entry is showing a verifiable interest in the firm's overseas work (foreign investment into US Cap Markets) or in working in the UK generally. This is pure speculation but they may wonder why you got a JD rather than a wig if you knew you were going to come back

[jasonredranger]

I mean, somewhat selective, but not like the V10 or anything. The biggest barrier to entry is showing a verifiable interest in the firm's overseas work (foreign investment into US Cap Markets) or in working in the UK generally. This is pure speculation but they may wonder why you got a JD rather than a wig if you knew you were going to come back

Does this include American offices in London or just Magic Circle firms?