how to become a global lawyer

by Ms. Maia Weimann DVM 8 min read

How to become an international lawyer?

To succeed as an international lawyer, it’s important to stay on top of events and trends affecting the multinational clients enlisting your services. More immediately, having knowledge and awareness of US foreign policy issues will impress recruiters.

How to become a lawyer?

This is the classic step to becoming a lawyer. Consider which jurisdiction is the be best for you. Whether it’s a UBE jurisdiction in the United States, or a specific country like France, which has the ICC in Paris. Ultimately, having a double qualification will make you more competitive.

Is there a need for lawyers around the world?

The need for lawyers with international expertise, experienced in the type of work we identified above, is ever-growing. On the other hand, this has also led to huge growth in the number of young lawyers around the world.

What are the roles of lawyers in global firms?

The roles of lawyers in global firms are more interconnected. Cross-border matters may require US-qualified lawyers to reside in foreign offices, and different jurisdictions and different firms have their own rules for how this process works.

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How many years does it take to become an international lawyer?

Professional Requirements to Become an International Lawyer The requirements to become an international lawyer involve seven years of full-time study.

Is it possible to be an international lawyer?

International law is a highly-competitive field. Attorneys who practice in this area often work for international organizations, such as the United Nations or the World Bank. Alternately, international lawyers can work for large firms on cross-border deals involving corporations in different countries.

What type of lawyers work internationally?

There are many different types of international lawyers, including business or corporate attorneys, government-based lawyers, and private practitioners specializing in human rights and immigration laws. The International Law Commission is an organ of the United Nations, which is headquartered in New York City.

How do you become an international lawyer for the UN?

To become a lawyer for the United Nations, you need a strong educational background in international law and experience working in intergovernmental organizations.Educational Background. You must have a strong background in international law to become a United Nations lawyer. ... Programs. ... Contract Law. ... Networking.

Can lawyers work in the UN?

Admission to the practice of law in the Member State of the candidate's nationality or in another Member State of the United Nations is required. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the university degree in law recognized by the United Nations.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaTax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.Immigration attorney: $84,000.Estate attorney: $83,000.Public Defender: $63,000.More items...•

Which country is best to study law?

Best Countries to Study Law AbroadUnited States of America (USA) Reasons: World-Renowned Law Schools, Prominent Faculty, Numerous Law Courses & Seminars, Advanced Clinics, Cross Programs, Home of Renowned Law Firms, Scholarships. ... United Kingdom (UK) ... Australia. ... Canada. ... Singapore. ... Japan. ... China.

Should I study international law?

International Law Gives You Global Reach If you have a passion for travel, a keen interest in other cultures and working across boundaries, and a fascination with geopolitics and the state of the world, studying international law might be an excellent choice.

Do international lawyers get to travel?

One of the most appealing aspects of working as an international law attorney is the opportunity to travel to many places and meet many nations since the very nature of international law jobs often requires lawyers to fly out to various destinations to meet with clients or represent them in court.

Does international law pay well?

As an international lawyer, one's earning potential is quite good – with an average annual salary of between $110,000 – $131,000, international lawyers tend to earn just as much as most other high-profile attorneys, and are able to secure a steady stream of cases most of the time.

How to succeed as an international lawyer?

To succeed as an international lawyer, it’s important to stay on top of events and trends affecting the multinational clients enlisting your services. More immediately, having knowledge and awareness of US foreign policy issues will impress recruiters.

What is an international lawyer?

If a US firm has US attorneys, does a global firm employ international lawyers? What exactly does being an international lawyer mean? The answer is a bit of a grey area. “There are probably as many definitions of an international lawyer as there are international lawyers!” says Sean Doyle, an M&A partner in Skadden’s New York office.

What is the best way to learn international law?

Law school is the perfect place to start. “At a minimum, take a comparative international law class,” Doyle advises. “This will help you understand the different types of legal regimes that exist around the globe. You don’t have to learn the exact codes, but it’s good to understand the basics and know what they mean.”

How to gain cultural flexibility?

According to capital markets partner Ryan Dzierniejko, the best surefire way to gain cultural flexibility is to actually go out and travel the world. “You can learn a lot about cultures and local geographies by just traveling and visiting places.”.

Is working abroad necessary?

But is working abroad a necessary component to being involved in international work? Absolutely not . Working from a US office can provide just as much exposure to international matters. “Almost everything you do these days has some touchpoint around the globe,” says Doyle. “For myriad reasons almost everything we do now has some international nexus that you have to be aware of. Even when it’s just a US-to-US deal, because of the nature of most of our clients’ businesses, you’re going to have to be sensitive to cross-border issues that may arise.”

Can a lawyer practice in two jurisdictions?

The title certainly isn’t limited to those qualified in two (or more) jurisdictions. The roles of lawyers in global firms are more interconnected. Cross-border matters may require US-qualified lawyers to reside in foreign offices, and different jurisdictions and different firms have their own rules for how this process works. Brittany Turner, an associate who is seconded from Skadden’s New York office to its Hong Kong office, tells us: “The firm sponsors you to become a registered foreign lawyer. You’re then able to practice the law of your home jurisdiction, which in the US is whichever state bar to which you are admitted. So now I practice New York law here in Hong Kong.”

Is Skadden a global firm?

With its skill at handling cross-border matters in a wide range of practice areas, and its 22 offices strategically spread across global financial centers, Skadden fits the bill of a 'global firm'. As energy and infrastructure projects partner Julia Czarniak tells us: “It’s not just that we have a lot of foreign offices. We bring the same standards, the same consistency and predictability all over the world — we’re not just a series of affiliated offices. To me that’s what makes it truly global.”

Why become an international lawyer?

So far, we’ve identified some of the hallmarks of what we mean by international lawyer. We may also want to think about our purpose, and what we stand to gain, learn or contribute from reaching our goal.

What are the challenges of becoming an international lawyer?

One of the challenges to grapple with as a budding international lawyer is the ongoing reform of the profession as a whole all over the world. The nation with far and away the most lawyers, the US, has recently seen the first liberalising of the legal profession, with further discussion ongoing, while another important jurisdiction, the UK, has undergone (and is still undergoing) considerable reforms, such as alternative business structures (ABS) for ownership of law firms. And the US has also seen its share of innovative web-based legal services providers, such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer, looking to take advantage of technology and market forces. A wider revolution is gradually taking place in the legal profession.

How can we make ourselves relevant in the new world?

Another way we can look to make ourselves relevant in the new world, and incorporate Professor Susskind’s ideas, is to use modern forms of communication such as social media to communicate ideas and commentary to other lawyers, clients and business leaders . Establishing ourselves as thought leaders in the way law should be practised in the global business market, and how we can serve evolving client needs , through blogging and being active on appropriate LinkedIn groups, can help raise our profile immeasurably, and establish authority as a forward-looking international lawyer.

How has globalization changed the law industry?

Globalisation of business has changed the way law firms and lawyers operate and the business model they employ. The need for lawyers with international expertise, experienced in the type of work we identified above, is ever-growing. On the other hand, this has also led to huge growth in the number of young lawyers around the world. Ambitious lawyers looking to learn the trade need to find ways to differentiate themselves from the crowd. One of the best ways to do this is to develop their profile as an international lawyer.

Where do you find opportunities for international work?

Opportunities for engaging in international work tend to be found most in large law firms with offices in other countries, or working in-house within certain international businesses.

Which is the preferred set of law for cross-border transactions?

Multiple research papers have found that English law is the preferred set of law for cross-border transactions, by a large margin, followed by the law of New York. The courts of England are also a popular venue for international dispute resolution, while English law and London tend to dominate as the preferred law and seat of international arbitration hearings.

Is the legal profession resistant to change?

Embracing liberalisation: Even though the legal profession is famously resistant to change, it seems inevitable that change will come, either from above, such as in the UK, or from below, in the form of pressure from major businesses. We mustn’t run from it, but embrace it, and use it as a platform for establishing our thought leadership.

What is international law?

Let’s start with the basics: International law is the set of rules, agreements and treaties that are binding between countries. That’s for the definition. As a practical matter, International Law covers three areas:

What is a lawyer's specialty?

Most attorneys specialize in one area , such as contract, corporate, customs, immigration, tax or human rights to name a few. They usually advise their clients on the domestic laws of their home country. These lawyers may be involved in negotiating contracts, resolving international dispute, handling mergers, etc.

What does client want from a lawyer?

Secondly, clients want you to know more than the legal system. Clients want their lawyers to be more like business partners . It is about providing advice and support on specific matters and outside technical legal issues, such as management and operational issues, (like technology investments)

How to become an international lawyer?

If you think international law is a good fit for you, pursue a bachelor’s degree in a foreign language, politics, or international relations. Additionally, focus on becoming fluent in as many foreign languages as possible, which will put you in higher demand for jobs later on . Then, apply for highly-ranked law schools, since international law firms are very selective. For advice from our Legal reviewer on how to find an entry-level job with an international organization, read on!

How to prepare for law school?

Join a study group. Law school is stressful and isolating, and a study group is a great way to meet people. Study groups help with exam preparation, sharing notes and outlines, as well as just blowing off some steam.

How long does it take to prepare for the bar exam?

Prepare for the bar exam. Prep courses abound. They typically last several months and prepare you for both the essay and multiple choice portions of the bar exam. Costs can run up to several thousand dollars.

What is the best GPA for law school?

Not everyone gets into law school. To increase your chances of getting in, keep your grades up. You want to graduate with at least a 3.0, but of course, a 3.5 or 4.0 would be even better. Admissions committees view a high GPA as an indicator that you are a hard worker who is self-motivated.

How to get a job at the United Nations?

Build your foreign language skills . You should start as soon as possible developing your foreign language skills. The more languages you are fluent in, the more likely you are to be hired by an international organization. If you want to work for the United Nations, then you will need fluency in two or more of the official languages.

What is international law?

“International law” also encompasses “trans-national” law, in which you help entities (like corporations) do deals across borders.

Is criminal justice a law school major?

In fact, criminal justice majors are admitted to law schools are admitted at a lower rate than those who majored in journalism, philosophy, or economics. Although you will not be penalized for majoring in criminal justice, there is no automatic benefit in law school admissions for having done so.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

It takes about seven years of full-time study to become a lawyer once you’ve graduated from high school. This includes four years of undergraduate study followed by three years at a law school.

What is the last step to become a lawyer?

The last step in becoming a lawyer is passing the bar examination. You will need to pass the bar exam for whichever states you would like to practice law in. For example, if you want to practice law in New York, you will need to pass the New York State Bar Exam.

How much does it cost to go to law school?

On average, you can expect to spend about $45,000 per year. For the top law schools in the country, the tuition is closer to $65,000 per year. The cost will also depend on whether you're paying in-state or out-of-state tuition, and attending a public or private school.

What do lawyers do?

Lawyers help individuals or businesses throughout legal processes. They prepare legal documents, build cases, attend hearings and try cases. Additional duties include working with legal and criminal justice professionals, taking depositions, settling cases and sending legal correspondence. They often specialize in different types of law, such as tax or family law. Lawyers work in a wide range of fields, such as: 1 Real estate 2 Business 3 Criminal justice 4 Healthcare 5 Politics

How long does it take to prepare for the bar exam?

Preparing for the bar exam requires a lot of studying. You should create a study schedule that takes place over several months. You’ll also want to find a quality bar exam test preparation course and materials to help, and focus your attention on topics that appear frequently.

How much does a lawyer make?

Average lawyer salary. The average salary for a lawyer in the United States is $70,336 per year, though some salaries range from $14,000 to $201,000 per year. Salaries may depend on experience level, field of legal practice and a lawyer's location.

What are the majors in law school?

However, some of the most common undergraduate majors include criminal justice, English, economics, philosophy and political science. Spend your undergraduate time taking classes related to the area of law you think you would like to practice.

How long does it take to become a humanitarian lawyer?

Getting specialised in international humanitarian law and working as a humanitarian lawyer could take several years, so make sure you take a long-term view on your goal to become a humanitarian lawyer. There are many ways to specialise in international humanitarian law if you want to become a humanitarian lawyer.

What is the purpose of international humanitarian law?

International humanitarian law governs how armed violence, occupation and conflicts should be conducted. The aim of international humanitarian law is to limit the impact of war and conflicts on participants and civilians. Researching and building strong knowledge of what international humanitarian law covers is the foundational step ...

Is humanitarian law a competitive field?

The legal profession is a competitive field and specialised sub-sets, such as international humanitarian law, even more so. Therefore, if you want a career as a humanitarian lawyer you need to have the drive to beat the competition. You also need to know within yourself really why you want to do this as a line of work and be prepared for some inevitable challenges as you develop your career. With that said, being a humanitarian lawyer is a highly rewarding, exciting and noble career – well worth the work needed to get there!

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What Is An International Lawyer?

Act Now

  • We’ll discuss the specific complexities of international work later, but first let’s cover how you can begin carving a career path that includes working on international matters. Skadden’s attorneys kindly shared what students can do nowto maximize their chances of getting hired and thriving in a multinational cauldron. Law school is the perfect place to start. “At a minimum, take a compar…
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Across The Threshold

  • Once you’ve received an offer to work at a global firm, getting staffed on international work doesn’t have to wait until you’re a partner. Instead international work can be thrust upon associates from the start. Wink tells us that he’s been working on international matters since his first year at the firm. “That’s universal, at least for tax lawyers at Skadden,” he says. Dzierniejko’s …
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The Long Haul

  • Packing your bags and switching offices is an adventurous way of utilizing a global firm’s opportunities. As Turner puts it: “There are many other places to work besides New York. There are a wealth of opportunities around the world when you work at a global firm like Skadden. The question is whether you are taking advantage of the global platform.” When you’ve made the dec…
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Current Issues

  • To succeed as an international lawyer, it’s important to stay on top of events and trends affecting the multinational clients enlisting your services. More immediately, having knowledge and awareness of US foreign policy issues will impress recruiters. However, these policies may change rapidly. Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a nasc...
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Final Thoughts

  • To conclude, we asked Skadden attorneys for one piece of advice they would give to their former selves as they took their first steps toward an internationally minded career. Ryan Dzierniejko:“Develop a real international awareness, whether it’s through traveling or reading – it will help you approach clients and their concerns in a way other folks can’t.” Julia Czarniak: “Hav…
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Importance of An International Lawyer

  • A career in international law as an international lawyer is growing in trend. It is attracting people who are already in this field around the globe from client meetings and international conferences. But to become an international lawyer, the process is somewhat complex and overwhelming.
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What Is International Law?

  • International law is a set of agreements, rules, and treaties biding between different countries. Practically international law has three areas.
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How to Become An International Lawyer

  • An international career is hard and challenging but stimulating as well. In addition to your regular training, you have to learn professional skills and critical thinking, analytical reasoning, comparative approach, and research writing. So how you can reach the goal of becoming an international lawyer begins with your passion and dedication toward...
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Why Become An International Lawyer?

  • A large part of being an international lawyer is because the business world is constantly changing. Globalization of business changes how law firms and lawyers work and operate and the business model they employ. The need for lawyers with international skills and expertise is ever-growing. As a result, this leads to the number of lawyers worldwide practising.
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many years does it need to become an international lawyer?
    The requirement to become an international lawyer is seven years after the full-time study. Students spent their time completing a bachelor’s degree. Law schools do not need specific undergraduate degree fields though many aspiring lawyers choose to major in the government o…
  • Is international law a good career?
    There are some potentially lucrative options for a career in sovereign representation or international arbitration. However, some potential converting options are also available.
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Conclusion

  • To wrap up, according to the above material, there is no precise definition of an international lawyer. And there is one that will be someone who practices with the clients on disputes and transactions that relate to more than many jurisdictions. At the time of globalization, the need for international lawyers with the skills and expertise is a growing trend. On the other hand, with so …
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