How to Become an International Lawyer | Working as a U.S. Lawyer Abroad

HOW TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL LAWYER//Want to know how to be an international lawyer? Have questions about getting started in international law, practicing international law, or how to build an international career? You’ve come to the right place! In this video, I interview Abby Gordon, Senior Director at Lateral Link, who shares her experience working as a U.S. lawyer abroad (as a corporate associate) in the New York, London, and Paris offices of Cleary Gottlieb.
Abby talks about pursuing careers in international law, working for an international law firm, and steps to become an international lawyer. If you are interested in working as a U.S. lawyer overseas then check out this video to hear the steps Abby took to do exactly that!
0:40: Law School + Law Firm
1:35: Law School Classes + Study Abroad
2:51: Common Int'l Opportunities
4:29: Best Practice Area
5:21: Your International Opportunity
6:02: Working in a European Office
6:29: Work Attire
6:47: Work Schedule
7:27: Weekends/Holidays
7:57: Benefits/Pay
8:38: Work Culture
9:00: Language Level Needed
9:40: Moving Logistics
10:29: Practicing Local Law
11:29: Traveling (for fun)!
13:01: U.S. Job Prospects/Partner Track (upon return)
14:42: Final Words of Wisdom
Let me know if you have any questions about working as a U.S. lawyer abroad in the comments below!
Angela
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Check out all of Abby's Above the Law Articles here!: abovethelaw.com/tag/abby-gordon/
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Abby’s articles specifically on working as a U.S. lawyer abroad are these:
1. Planning For A Legal Career Overseas (Part I): Picking The Right Practice Area And The Right Firm: abovethelaw.com/2014/03/plann...
2. Planning For A Legal Career Overseas (Part II): Language Skills, Caveats, And What You Can Be Doing Now: abovethelaw.com/2014/03/plann...
3. Working Overseas: Asking The Right Questions Before You Take The Plunge: abovethelaw.com/2014/05/worki...
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Connect with Abby on LinkedIn!: / abbygordon
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For all of you traveler buffs out there, do yourself a big favor and read up on the great travel tips and insights featured on Abby's travel blog: www.parisweekender.com/
-Facebook: / parisweekender
-Instagram/Twitter: @parisweekender
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👉🏻 Download the FREE GUIDE: “Best Questions to Ask in Law Firm Interviews": launch.angelavorpahl.com/best...
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JOIN THE FREE LAW STUDENT NETWORK FACEBOOK GROUP: / lawtribenetwork
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Hit me up on social media with any questions about how to succeed as a lawyer in the legal industry!!
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• How to Become an Inter...

[@yalingchen2614]

I grew up in China then immigrated to US. Have always wanted to seek a career path where I could utilize my bilingual skill. This is amazing!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Yay!! I'm so glad the video was helpful! :)

[@amberimani1994]

THIS VIDEO IS SO FREAKING HELPFUL!! I couldn't find information like this anywhere and this is my dream!!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

That's awesome!! I'm so glad the video was helpful! 😊😊😊

[@NN-ny9pz]

I can't wait to watch the entire video after work. Please know that the hard work you put into these videos is well appreciated! Your channel is easily the most substantial and well-researched law related channel on youtube.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

N An, thanks so much for your comment and for watching!! I love making these videos and I'm so happy to hear that people find them helpful and informative! :)

[@karissasmith1042]

I love this video! Super helpful. Thank you!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Yay!!! I'm so glad!!! Thanks for watching!!! :)

[@nadiainside]

your videos are so informative and helpful! thank you for sharing your stories and others with us. i’m 17 and have always wanted to become a lawyer or judge. thank for all this info!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

My pleasure!! I'm so glad the videos are helpful! Lawyering is an amazing career, and we always need new and enthusiastic people joining the ranks!! :)

[@amberimani1994]

Also you asked all the right questions!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Haha good!! All the things I would want to know if I were in that position! :)

[@levelupgoddess9289]

I LOVE this.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

I'm so glad to hear the video was helpful!

[@jusTOOfresh]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing

[@AngelaVorpahl]

You're so welcome!

[@musichub7705]

Wow mam you are excellent your videos are very informative and worth watching it and plus you are very humble lady you just take care so your viewers reply to their every comment love you mam

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Thanks so much, Ghazan! I'm so glad the videos are helpful!!

[@LondieM]

This was great, I’d love a video for foreign lawyers who’d love to work in the US

[@AngelaVorpahl]

I'm so glad the video was helpful! Where are you licensed to practice law? :)

[@ritamix33]

excellent vid

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Thanks so much!!!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

👉🏻 Looking to connect with other law students and build your network? JOIN THE FREE LAW STUDENT NETWORK FACEBOOK GROUP: facebook.com/groups/lawtribenetwork Let me know if you found the video helpful!! Have any questions about working as a lawyer overseas? Let me know in the comments below!!

[@ladyinfinity6493]

I need one to assist me. Due to the fake virus Majority of businesses are closed. I need to conduct a screening process before I hire one because Majority of ALL attorneys have mental Illness. I'm not being mean, but their illness puts limitations on their work abilities. Do you have a website with a list of potential candidates?

[@katherinegibson9242]

If I wanted to search resources to be a human rights lawyer, where/who/what would be the best guide to search? Let's say I've been inspired by Amal Clooney and topics on human rights including refugee camps and sex trafficking.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

@@katherinegibson9242 Hi! VERY good question. I actually have on my list a to make a video about human rights law because it's a term that gets thrown around quite a bit, but doesn't really exist in many forms in the U.S. since human rights are not part of our legal system like they are in many other parts of the world. The closest thing we have to human rights causes of action is immigration relief, and specifically asylum and Convention Against Torture relief for refugees. The good news is that there are a ton of immigration organizations out there that work with refugees, and some of the biggest ones are American Immigration Council and Immigration Justice Campaign, so definitely check out their websites and get on their email lists; they have a ton of free resources to get started learning about that area of the law :)

[@MsMetalmonkey23]

Just want to comment on how inspiring this channel has been for me and I'm sure a lot of people. Very cool of you, thank you.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

This comment absolutely made my day! 😭 I'm so happy to hear that these videos have resonated with you and helped give you some clarity. Where are you currently in your law school journey?

[@MsMetalmonkey23]

@@AngelaVorpahl I'm still an undergrad about to start my junior year. The thing is, I had dreamt of being a lawyer since I was small, but let the dream dwindle over a long spout of feeling inadequate. My high school experience was pretty rough, however, all through undergrad I have remained among the top of my class in terms of grades. With that, my confidence started to really build, and then your videos happened to come on my recommended watch list which brought everything full circle.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

@@MsMetalmonkey23 I'm so happy to hear it! I actually run a free FB group for law students and prelaw students looking for clarity and support in their law school journey, would you like the link to join?

[@MsMetalmonkey23]

@@AngelaVorpahl sure!

[@AngelaVorpahl]

@@MsMetalmonkey23 Great! Here's the link to join: facebook.com/groups/lawtribenetwork See you inside!!

[@majorkerr1333]

I’ve thought about this because I was an international studies major and a German minor. I’d love to work in a Austria or Germany.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

I'm a strong believer in anything is possible! If you're interested in those locations I would start researching what U.S. law firms have offices in those countries, what practice groups are located overseas, and begin learning the language :)

[@baqaqipekhebi7148]

Good luck with that!

[@shariecebrewster5962]

There for you

[@eradioalvarenga5796]

I really want to be an international business lawyer and after watching this video I have a couple of questions and this specifically for international lawyers from the U.S who specialize in international business law. If you're sent abroad to a foreign country to work for a branch of an American law firm or for foreign law firm that is partners with your American law firm, what do you do while in that country ? Do you do arbitration? Do you do legal consultation on American law ? or do you have to specialize in the laws of the country that you're sent to? I'm asking because I really want to do international law and I want to know how it works.

[@jessies16]

Its says to respect

[@rantym35]

I hope the US would be an open jurisdiction as the UK, but they seem to be so closed to foreign lawyers

[@AngelaVorpahl]

You're definitely not wrong, it's tough for an international lawyer or law student to find a full-time, long-term job as a lawyer in the U.S. I hope to help shed more light on this process for you guys soon!

[@rantym35]

@@AngelaVorpahl there is no reason to close jurisdiction because globalization needs global jurisdiction. Globalization is real long ago, we as lawyers need to have the opportunity to practice law in any democratic country. Why not? A client won’t hire you if you as a lawyer are not capable to defend him/her in any jurisdiction! Foreign Lawyers need to have right to audience ! The contrary is ridiculous and archaic !

[@ayomideosho4928]

I want to be an international lawyer in a big firm, how would that work, are there even positions like that? I looked up the salary of international lawyers and it is lower than that of 1 year associates at big firms. I am a little confused right now? Oh I am an incoming college freshman.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

In this video, Abby walks through how she worked in the Paris office of a BigLaw firm based in the U.S. If you are a non-U.S. lawyer looking to get a BigLaw firm in the U.S. the approach would be very different, but the most likely path would be to go through a full 3-year JD program just like a traditional U.S. law student. Let me know if that wasn't the question!

[@Michael-st9ky]

How does US pass the Bar in other countries

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Hi Jean-Michael! The procedures for U.S. lawyers to become licensed in other countries will completely differ by country. Keep in mind that some countries view a law degree on the same level as all other "first level" degrees (i.e. undergraduate degrees), rather than post-graduate degrees, and as such will require you to start the degree from scratch in that country.

[@raquelsilva5999]

im from portugal and im going to study law here but i want to work on the us do you think thats possible? its a different language so the names are very different

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Hi! I'm actually hoping to come out with a video soon on the process for international students (and lawyers) to be able to practice law in the U.S. because I know it's a question that many people have, so definitely stay tuned!!

[@raquelsilva5999]

Angela Vorpahl thank youu! I’ve seen some exchange (don’t know how to write that) programs for some colleges so I’m studying hard and maybe I’ll be able to go to the USA and study there (probably not cause I’m dumb)

[@gruweldaad]

I’m really curious about opportunities for M&A attorneys overseas. American companies acquire European companies all the time, so there needs to be at least two lawyers involved in it, one local and one American.

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Hey Brian! I don't have experience in this area, but definitely feel free to reach out to Abby to get her thoughts. Not only did she work as an attorney overseas she also has years of experience in career placement.

[@gruweldaad]

@@AngelaVorpahl Thank you so much! I’m considering a career pivot to go to law school so this will be really helpful.

[@user-gt4tz2wp9i]

Hello, good morning, what should be done to immigrate to the United States as a refugee?

[@AngelaVorpahl]

Hi there, I'm so sorry but I don't provide any legal advice on this channel. To find out more information for your particular situation I would google "U.S. refugee services" and reach out to people who specialize in this area to get you more information. I wish you all the best.

[@sagarfating308]

Online work is their

[@bhairavidonthireddy2678]

How I talk to you miss, I want to talk you.

[@gopalbajpai954]

How can I be lawyer in your firm

[@AngelaVorpahl]

I actually don't work for a law firm anymore :) I currently run a group coaching course for rising 1Ls (heading into law school) and people currently in law school to help them know exactly what they need to do to dominate law school and land their first legal job! :)

[@Shopon1click]

i want to contact through mail. i am lawyer from pakistan

[@GoblinArchitect]

Looking for a lawyer that speaks English and can work in Ukrainian

[@celinecooper9273]

Hum I can't believe what she said about working hours in France. So, she actually thinks that lawyers in France do 35 hours a week, and that the ones she knows that don't is because they work in an international firm. I'll have tou know tha French lawyers work an average between 50 to 80 hours a week. Never less.

[@celinecooper9273]

Also I don't agree on the statement that French clients respect holidays, but I guess there are big differences depending on the field and the nature of the firm. And I wouldn't know about clients' respect for that in the US. That being said, thanks for this video

[@baqaqipekhebi7148]

This lawyer looks totally miserable. Probably working 80 hours a week and has no life.

[@annarold1709]

This lawyer? All lawyers everywhere