SELLEST OSAST
Today we're sitting down at a metaphorical cafe together as I answer one of the questions I get asked most often—especially on LinkedIn and at conferences: How did you get a job abroad as an attorney?
I’ve had a lot of these conversations over coffee (or wished I had time for more of them), so I decided to sit down and record a more personal, unscripted episode walking through my own path—and what I’d share with anyone looking to build an international legal career.
I talk about how I went from law school in Minnesota to working in IP and patent law across Sweden, Denmark, and now back in the US. I also dive into the things I wish I’d known earlier, what helped me most, and why moving abroad will challenge and change you in ways you can’t predict—but are totally worth it.
Whether you're in law school, thinking about a move overseas, or just curious about what it’s like to live and work abroad as a lawyer, this one’s for you.
In this episode, I cover:
How I accidentally (but intentionally) ended up with a global legal career
Why IP and patent law can be a great path for working internationally
What to focus on in law school if you’re interested in going abroad
How to make coffee chats and networking feel less transactional and more real
What to expect (logistically and emotionally) when you move to another country
Why you’ll probably have to give up your “old life”—and why that might be the best thing
A line I keep coming back to:
“You can’t predict the chaos, but you can predict that there will be chaos.”
Mentions & inspirations:
My time working with the UN during law school
That Mike Posner quote about how growth requires becoming someone new
A little law school real talk and some lessons from Swedish bureaucracy
Connect with me:
📸 Instagram: @fieldnotesfromabroad
🌍 LinkedIn: Laura Gisler
📬 I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas for future episodes.
🎵 Theme music by Damon Smile – check them out wherever you get your music.
If you enjoyed this episode, it means so much when you leave a review. It helps more people find the show and join in on these conversations. Thank you for listening to Field Notes from Abroad. I’ll see you in the next one.
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How to Connect with Laura:
Website: www.lauralaraliz.com
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fieldnotesfromabroad
Say hi on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/fieldnotesfromabroad/
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fieldnotes-from-abroad/
Email me: fieldnotesfromabroad@gmail.com
Leave a review on the Apple Podcast app or the Spotify app: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
