how to become a international lawyer

by Kristoffer Waters 4 min read

  • Complete the undergraduate degree program in the law. Whether it is a bachelor of law or master of law, an American or a European, or a college degree holder, almost ...
  • Attend law school. If you are in your home country or any other jurisdiction, your focus should be on international law.
  • Take the bar exam. This is the most essential and classic step to becoming an international lawyer. ...
  • Consider the LLM. An LLM is a specialized master’s degree in law internationally recognized and permits you to appear in the Bar Exam in the country of your education.

Full Answer

What jobs can you get with an international law degree?

  • ABF Freight System, Inc. ...
  • American Water Works International — International Sales Trainee
  • Cascadia Behavioral HealthCare — Cultural Specialist
  • CBS — News Internship — requested International Studies majors in the following areas: Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East.
  • Care: Job Opportunities

More items...

What is it like to be an international lawyer?

Factors to Consider if You Want to Become a Lawyer

  • The Cost of Law School. The average student loan debt for lawyers was $142,900 as of the 2015-2016 school year, the most recent year statistics are available. ...
  • Law School Timeline. ...
  • Frequent Testing. ...
  • Public Speaking. ...
  • Constant Writing. ...
  • Logical Reasoning and Analysis. ...
  • Long Work Hours. ...
  • Client Development. ...
  • Professional Dress. ...

How to get a job in international law?

Work as a law librarian.

  • A Master’s of Library Science (MLS) degree. This is a two-year degree, which you should get from a school accredited by the American Library Association. ...
  • Familiarity with the online databases used by lawyers—Westlaw and LexisNexis.
  • An internship or other experience in a law library.

What to know before becoming a lawyer?

The woman told Arthur she had uterine cancer. Before long, they were discussing what her funeral could look like, the family she'd leave behind, and all the things she wanted to do before she died.

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Is becoming an international lawyer hard?

An International career is challenging but stimulating. In addition to your formal training, you will need skills in critical thinking, a comparative approach, analytical reasoning, research and writing. Here's the steps to follow if you want to do a career in international law.

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.

What should I major in if I want to be an international lawyer?

What Major Can I Pursue to Study International Law? Most bachelor's degree programs that touch on international law issues award a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Studies or a B.A. in International Relations.

Do international lawyers make good money?

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.

Can you be a lawyer in a foreign country?

The Ability to Work Internationally Some countries, such as India, only allow nationals of the country to become lawyers. However, most countries will allow foreign nationals to practice law if these individuals have a LLB (Legum Baccalaureus) degree, which is offered by many universities globally.

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.

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...•

What jobs do international lawyers do?

Becoming an international lawyer means settling international disputes like trade, business and criminal issues. Their job includes drafting legal documents, researching laws on an international level and representing clients in the court.

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.

Is international law in demand?

As globalization brings the private and public sectors closer together, the demand for international lawyers has risen. Increasingly, larger organizations are establishing offices in foreign countries to handle international issues.

How long does it take to get a degree in international law?

Study abroad opportunities: A successful international practice hinges upon experience in other countries. Remember, law school is only three years. Leaving campus to study abroad requires a robust program that will match the quality of education at your primary institution. Study abroad opportunities are diverse.

What kind of international lawyers are there?

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.

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)

Is it important to learn another language?

Finally, your language skills are critical. Even if English is your mother tongue, learning another language can bolster your career opportunities. At the end, It means going beyond your current limitations and becoming a better lawyer, focused on the globalized nature of business and life in general.

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 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.

What are some examples of international trusts?

Examples of these include criminal defence, family law, employment law, personal injury, real estate, and wills and probate.

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.

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!

What is international law?

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

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.

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.

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.

When do you have to register for OCI?

If you want to work for a large firm, then you should register for OCI, which will take place just before the start of your 2L year (or in the early fall). If you are offered a job, you will work as a summer associate during your 2L summer.

What is the job of an international lawyer?

All international lawyers engage in usual legal work such as researching, representing clients in a courtroom, interviewing witnesses, negotiating, acting as a mediator, and filling out legal paperwork. They are more likely to travel abroad frequently, depending on their position and tasks.

How much do international lawyers get paid?

International lawyers fall under the general “lawyer” umbrella. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, all lawyers made an average of $120,910 in 2018. Salaries vary based on where you’re practicing, the specific field, and your experience level. In general, the more experience you have, the higher your salary.

Why are international lawyers important?

If their focus is on human rights issues, they can ensure that people who’ve had their rights violated receive justice. If their work is more related to business, international lawyers can keep peace between international entities and protect people’s livelihoods. With international lawyers working with the United Nations and governments, they’re part of a system that maintains order and finds solutions to the world’s problems .

What is international law?

International law is about understanding how countries' regulations counteract together, solve problems on an international level and advise people to help them stay away from unexpected restrictions and lawsuits. Here are the three main types of international law:

What does an international lawyer do?

International lawyers advise organisations, individuals and government entities regarding the legal rights and recommend the best outcomes for each case. This means you, as an international lawyer, may specialise in intellectual property, security law and taxation to gain full insights into international affairs. Some of their other duties include:

Skills

Here are some of the skills that can help you become an international lawyer:

International lawyer average salary

The average salary for a lawyer is $100,642 per year in Australia. This figure may vary depending on the geographical location, lawyer's training and experience and company. Typically, lawyers working in enterprising companies or more experienced lawyers tend to get higher salaries.

What degree do lawyers need to become an international lawyer?

To widen their career opportunities in the field of international law, some lawyers choose to earn a Master of Laws (L.L.M) degree. This degree gives degree allows for more advanced studies on international law. It also gives lawyers global credibility.

How long does it take to become an international lawyer?

The requirements to become an international lawyer involve seven years of full-time study. Students spend the working towards a bachelor’s (B.S.) degree. Law schools do not require specific fields of undergraduate study, though many aspiring attorneys choose to major in government or history.

What Does an International Lawyer Do?

For example, an international lawyer might focus his field of practice on private international law to deal with conflicts between private parties in different countries. They help determine which jurisdiction ’s laws apply, and which jurisdiction should hear the dispute. They also advise corporations on operating legally on the international stage, and draft company policies to meet national standards.

How to avoid hiring the wrong lawyer?

Before hiring any attorney, set up an initial consultation. Most lawyers offer these meetings free of charge and it gives you the opportunity to ask about their experience and track record. You should also inquire about the fees involved and the method of billing to avoid surprises down the road. Meeting with more than one lawyer can help you avoid hiring the wrong one.

How much will the number of lawyers increase in 2026?

The BLS predicts that the employment rate for lawyers will increase by around 8% by 2026. This growth is average for jobs in the U.S. The market in the field of law continues to remain competitive as more students graduate from law school than jobs become available.

How much does a lawyer make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the average annual lawyer salary is $119,250 as of 2018. The BLS does not distinguish between areas of practice, therefore some specialties pay more than others.

Why do lawyers work in international law?

International lawyers are legal professionals that help resolve these disputes. They also help clients navigate the complex areas of international law.

What Is an International Lawyer?

An international lawyer is trained in law to resolve legal issues in court focused on international disputes for businesses, trade, civil, and criminal cases. As an international lawyer, you can work for a firm and follow a standard legal pathway while assisting international clients.

How to Become an International Lawyer

Becoming an international lawyer requires formal education and licensure. Specifically, you need to earn a Juris Doctor degree, and it’s recommended to earn a Master of Laws degree for specializing in international business. You’re required to pass your state’s bar exam to practice law legally.

Where Do International Lawyers Work?

International lawyers can work in a variety of settings and locations including private firms and government agencies. As an international lawyer, you can work in multiple countries if desired or can use modern technology to communicate with clients who are overseas.

How long does it take to become an international lawyer?

You could get an LLM degree, which normally takes one year, and then follow whatever procedures the state dictates for practicing law.

What is an international lawyer?

The term “international lawyer” covers a very broad spectrum of people. The vast majority of international lawyers handle cross -border contracts from their offices in their home countries. No travel to other countries but a need to understand how to draft contracts that will be effective in two or more countries.

How to become a lawyer in New York?

In order for you to be licensed to practice law in New York, you must first: 1 Earn a four-year bachelor’s degree; 2 Graduate from an ABA-accredited law school, which takes three years; 3 Pass the Uniform Bar Examination; 4 Pass the New York Law Exam; 5 Pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam; 6 Satisfy the Skills Competency requir

Can I take the bar exam as a JD?

If you are applying as a JD candidate, whether you are a US citizen or permanent resident, or as an international student, the process is much easier , because you can take the bar exam and be licensed in any state. I would still use the process I outlined above for choosing law schools and law firms.

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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 over…
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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 towards your objectives, to be invol…
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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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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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