National Jurist - November 2008 - (Page 34) By Amy Montemarano, Esq. Tales from abroad: working internationally Whether a law student’s interest lies in international commerce, energy law or intellectual property, there’s never been a better time for U.S. law students who are interested in living and working abroad. Law firms are recognizing the value of geographically diversifying their practices, particularly in a U.S. market downturn. And given the legal profession’s increasing globalization, many U.S. lawyers are following the call of their inner globetrotter. Take intellectual property law, for example. Lawyers are finding opportunities to practice patent law in Germany, the largest member state of the European Union and home to two branches of the European Patent Office. Thomas Canty, who graduated from Boston University Law School, practices IP law with the U.S. firm of Darby & Darby in its Frankfurt, Germany office. Canty’s interest in living abroad was sparked by a college semester he spent studying in Vienna, along with four years he worked in Munich following graduation. His goal upon graduating from law school was to find an IP law firm with a presence in Europe, so he could have the option of returning there some day. He found that option at Darby & Darby, and after several years in New York, he has been working happily in Frankfurt for the past nine years. The smoothest path abroad is through a law firm transfer and, preferably, one that does not require licensure in a foreign jurisdiction. Much like the difficulties faced by international students earning an LL.M. in the United States, bar admission requirements in foreign jurisdictions can be big obstacles. Canty does not need a foreign license. He is licensed in New York and describes himself as “a U.S. attorney practicing U.S. law in Europe,” which Germany allows. His primary clients are patent departments of major European companies whom he advises on U.S. patent law. Unlike Canty, Sandra Pohlman, another U.S. lawyer practicing IP law in Germany, is pursuing dual citizenship in Germany in the hope of someday being licensed to practice German law. Pohlman grew up in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and also became interested in living abroad after spending a college semester in Europe. With that long term goal in mind, after law school graduation from George Washington Law Center, she set about becoming an expert on U.S. patent law — knowledge that she knew would be valuable to European clients. She now runs her own patent law firm in Munich. Pohlman found that based upon her U.S. work experience, she could temporarily relocate to the U.K. to take the Qualified Lawyer’s Transfer Test (QLTT) and become a UK solicitor, which allows her limited access to the European Patent Office. But she still can’t give advice under German law or practice before local German courts. Her advice to law students interested in practicing abroad — “be creative and persistent.” Good advice, in this market. For U.S. students interested in becoming ex-pats, doing your homework and gaining a few years of U.S.-based experience are essential, but the payoff can be the adventure of a lifetime. Amy Montemarano is the assistant dean of Career and Professional Development at Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL OF LAW The LL.M. Programs feature Master of Laws Programs These are limited enrollement programs featuring small classes mentor for each student, and and individual mentoring. Classes guarantee individual attention begin in August of each year. small classes, provide an alumni from law school faculty and August of each year. staff members. Classes begin in For more information, please visit web page: www.usfca.edu/law/llm For telephone 415.422.6946 visit or more information, please web page: masterlaws@usfca.edu or email: www.usfca.edu/law or telephone 415.422.6946 or e-mail: masterlaws@usfca.edu MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) International Transactions and Comparative Law For Foreign Lawyers Study international commercial transactions or a selected area of American law MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) Intellectual Property and Technology Law For both U.S. and Foreign Lawyers A wide selection of courses consider American, international and comparative IP law 34 THE NATIONAL JURIST November 2008 http://www.usfca.edu/law http://www.usfca.edu/law
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