Steptoe's Washington, DC, office allows an attorney from outside the United States to spend nine to 12 months with the firm for the following:
- to assist Steptoe to prepare cases with both international and domestic dimensions;
- to add to the firm's diversity; and
- to expose talented foreign lawyers to the practice of law at Steptoe & Johnson LLP.
The firm's program so far has included foreign legal consultants from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland .
The Foreign Legal Consultant's Role
During his or her period with the firm, the foreign legal consultant—like all associates—is expected to perform a wide variety of legal tasks: carry out legal research and prepare drafts of memoranda, opinions, congressional testimony, articles, speeches, and the like. The foreign legal consultant's early work is reviewed carefully and discussed to ease the transition to US legal practice.
The foreign legal consultant's substantive legal experience is not solely confined to international matters. Steptoe believes in exposing foreign legal consultants to all facets of the typical Washington practice; therefore, they can expect to be involved in a full range of domestic issues. Although performing legal research and preparing memoranda occupy a significant amount of the consultant's schedule, contact with clients, opposing counsel, government officials, and outside experts is encouraged. The firm takes special steps to give the foreign legal consultant exposure to a broad range of lawyers within the firm.
Program Duration
The Foreign Legal Consultant Program is designed for foreign lawyers who wish to experience US legal practice before returning to their countries of origin. It is not designed for lawyers seeking a permanent position in the United States. Accordingly, foreign legal consultants are not expected to take a US bar examination, and the period of the associateship will be limited to nine to 12 months; extensions of this period will not ordinarily be granted.
Salary
The foreign legal consultant salary is currently $100,000 a year. In many cases, the foreign lawyer may be able to mitigate tax burdens significantly as a result of agreements entered into between the United States and other nations.
Qualifications
Steptoe seeks foreign lawyers of the highest caliber. Candidates should demonstrate a high level of academic achievement both at home and in the United States. It is not necessary for candidates to be admitted to the bar of their home countries, but such a qualification will be viewed favorably. All foreign legal consultants must hold a law degree (typically an LL.M. or equivalent) from an US law school. Grades achieved while studying for this degree will play a large role in the selection process.
Selection will be carried out on the basis of merit. A preexisting business or personal relationship with Steptoe is not a prerequisite. Some special consideration will be given to candidates from countries that have not yet been represented in the firm's program.
Participants must have a US social security number when they begin work. The firm is required to provide this number to the Internal Revenue Service for identification purposes when reporting an employee's income, although foreign legal consultants may frequently pay reduced federal income and state taxes.
Applications
To apply, send a full personal resume detailing academic and career achievements to Rosemary Kelly Morgan, Director of Attorney Services and Recruiting. Include a transcript of grades achieved at the candidate's US law school and the names of two professors at that same school who can serve as references. Submit a writing sample—in English— that demonstrates the candidate's legal analytical skills in the context of practical problems. Law review articles or research papers produced over several weeks are helpful. Class work and examination papers produced under tight deadlines are acceptable, but are less likely to show the candidate in the best light.
Applications should be submitted by the end of February each year. Highly qualified candidates will be selected for interviews in the spring with the expectation that the foreign legal consultant will begin in the fall.
Rosemary Kelly Morgan Director of Attorney Services and Recruiting
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
1330 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
FAX: 202-828-3661
legal_recruiting@steptoe.com
