Careers

As Financial Crisis Continues, BigLaw Attorneys Seek Foreign Jobs

By Martha Neil

Oct 10, 2008, 11:25 am CST

As world financial markets swoon, BigLaw lawyers are deluging legal recruiters with resumes. But getting an actual job offer may not be easy.

Many United States offices of major international law firms are looking to hire only seasoned laterals. And, although law offices in other countries are growing, they also are in a position to be choosy due to the flood of attorney applicants, reports the American Lawyer, in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer (reg. req.).

"I've been just as busy this year as last, but now there are four times as many candidates looking to go overseas from the U.S.," Evan Jowers tells the legal publication. He is managing director of the Hong Kong and New York offices of Kinney Recruiting.

Meanwhile, as some unnamed law firms reportedly cut costs with stealth layoffs, others have found another way to get attorneys who aren't busy enough back to work. Several unnamed recruiters say that Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker is among the U.S. law firms that are sending underutilized associates abroad, American Lawyer writes. Paul Hastings didn't respond to contacts by the magazine.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Some Firms Still Seek Laterals—Including Orrick, Set to Hire 27 Heller Partners"

ABAJournal.com: "Covington, Cooley Hire 65 from Heller, Open New Offices"