Dewey trainee facing deportation over visa issues

The American citizen, who is due to qualify this summer, could have just six weeks to secure a new job before the deadline approaches.

His final chance for finding a new employer is 60 days after the curtailment of his leave to remain, with the clock starting to tick at the point at which the UK Border Agency (UKBA) issued the curtailment notice following his redundancy.

The redundancy occurred on 28 May, the day the UK LLP filed for administration (29 May 2012), although it is unclear whether Dewey fulfilled its obligation of informing the UKBA within ten days of the filing.

If the US firm did fulfil this obligation and the trainee was given notice of curtailment by the UKBA immediately, his deadline for securing a new job and preventing deportation to the US will be around 6 August.

The individual, whose name has not been disclosed, is one of two trainees to have been under threat of deportation, with a Canadian trainee - also set to qualify this summer - already finding a job at US rival Vinson & Elkins’ City base.

Meanwhile, all other Dewey London trainees out of the 20 on its books have now found new homes, with firms including Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Ropes & Gray taking some on (17 May 2012).

However, roughly 30 to 40 London support staff are still without new posts, with a group considering consulting counsel to establish whether they can make a claim against the defunct firm’s estate. A Facebook group called Dewey & LeBoeuf London has been set up by City staff to help colleagues out.

A former Dewey City partner commented: “It’s a horrible market. You’ll find there’s a much bigger number in New York [without jobs].”

Separately, it has emerged that Dewey London legal HR manager Katharyn White has taken on a position as HR manager at SNR Denton. She was closely involved in helping Dewey legal staff in the capital find new roles (28 May 2012).

Dewey director of administration Karen Morrissey declined to comment. UKBA was not immediately available for comment. The trainee could not be contacted.