Moving to New York as a Lawyer
What you need to know!

For a lot of Australian, Kiwi and UK lawyers, New York sits at the top of the list.

The salaries are huge.
The work is high-profile.
And professionally, there are very few legal markets that move at the same pace.

But moving to New York is very different to just visiting it.

Over the past few years, we’ve spoken with a number of international lawyers who have made the move across to U.S. firms in New York. And while everyone’s experience is different, there are a few themes that come up consistently.

The move is exciting.
But it is also intense.
The market moves fast
This is probably the biggest adjustment for most lawyers.

New York firms operate at a very high pace.

Particularly across:
• Corporate
• Capital markets
• Banking & finance
• Private equity
• Funds
• M&A

Deals move quickly.
Clients expect responsiveness.
And teams are often leaner than people expect.

That generally means:

• More responsibility earlier
• More client exposure
• Longer hours
• Faster progression curves

One lawyer we spoke to described it as:
‘High pressure, but high reward.’That is probably the most accurate summary.

Junior lawyers often get significant responsibility
This surprises a lot of international candidates.
In many New York firms, junior and mid-level associates are given meaningful responsibility relatively early.

That can include:

• Running workstreams
• Drafting core transaction documents
• Direct client communication
• Managing diligence processes
• Coordinating specialists and opposing counsel

The learning curve can be steep.
But for many lawyers, that is also part of the attraction.
The salaries are real — but so is the cost of living
This is one of the biggest misconceptions internationally.

Yes, New York salaries are extremely high compared to Australia or the UK.
But New York is also expensive in ways people often underestimate.

Particularly around:

• Rent
• Healthcare
• Tax
• Eating out
• Phone plans
• General day-to-day living

A lot of lawyers still come out financially ahead.
But it is important to understand that the compensation reflects the intensity of both the market and the city itself.

The move itself takes planning
One thing almost everyone mentions is that the first few weeks can feel overwhelming.

There are practical things to organise quickly, including:
• Social security documentation
• Bank accounts
• Phone plans
• Housing
• Credit history setup

And unlike some other international moves, New York tends to require a lot of this to be done in person.
Housing is usually the biggest initial challenge.

Most lawyers spend a lot of time initially figuring out:

• Which neighbourhood suits them
• What commute they can tolerate
• Whether they want roommates initially
• And how far their salary realistically stretches

Most international lawyers live in Manhattan or Brooklyn initially.
This has become fairly standard.

A lot of international lawyers initially choose:

• Midtown
• Downtown Manhattan
• Williamsburg
• Greenpoint
• Long Island City
Usually because:
• Commutes are manageable
• There are strong social networks
• And other international professionals tend to live nearby

Then once people settle into the city properly, they often reassess where they want to live long term.

New York culture is more direct than Australia
This is another common observation.

The communication style in New York firms is generally:

• Faster
• More direct
• More commercial
• Less relationship-led initially

That can take adjustment.
But most international lawyers also say they adapt quickly once they understand the pace and expectations of the market.

Importantly, firms are very used to international talent now.
Australian, Kiwi and UK lawyers are well regarded in the U.S. market, particularly within transactional practices.

The experience is professionally difficult to replicate elsewhere
This is probably the biggest reason lawyers still make the move despite the intensity.
The exposure is significant.
The deal flow is huge.
And the training environment can be exceptional.

For many lawyers, even spending:

• 2–4 years in New York
Can materially change:
• Their technical capability
• Their confidence
• Their international profile
• Their long-term career trajectory

That is why the market continues to attract international talent despite how demanding it can be.

Final thoughts

New York is not for everyone.
The hours are real.
The market is competitive.
And the city itself can feel overwhelming initially.

But for lawyers looking for:

• High-end international work
• Accelerated development
• Serious transactional exposure
• And a genuinely unique life experience

There are very few legal markets comparable to it.
The key is understanding the reality of the move before you get there.