Why US Lawyers Come to the UK
For decades, London has been one of the most important global centres for American lawyers. From Wall Street firms establishing offices in the City to US-qualified attorneys joining Magic Circle practices, the UK remains a magnet for legal talent. The combination of high salaries, exposure to international clients, and opportunities in arbitration, M&A, and finance law continues to draw US lawyers across the Atlantic.
But when it comes to securing a mortgage in the UK, many American lawyers face unexpected barriers. High incomes do not always translate into straightforward lending approvals. Instead, differences in tax regimes, international employment contracts, and the complexity of US citizenship obligations often confuse mainstream lenders.
At Willow Private Finance, we specialise in bridging this gap. Our role is to ensure that American lawyers working in the UK are understood as the prime candidates they are, not declined due to misunderstanding.
The Unique Challenges American Lawyers Face
While many of the hurdles are familiar to expats in general, American lawyers carry additional complexities due to the nature of US tax law and their dual international position.
US Tax Obligations
Unlike most nationalities, US citizens are taxed on their worldwide income, regardless of residency. This means an attorney at a US firm’s London office may file UK tax returns but also remain accountable to the IRS. For lenders unfamiliar with FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) or US tax treaties, this can create confusion about true disposable income.
Currency and Income Source
Some US lawyers are paid partly in sterling and partly in US dollars. Others may remain on US payroll even while working in London. High street lenders often view foreign currency income as unstable, even when the amounts are substantial and backed by global law firms.
Credit History Gaps
An American lawyer relocating to the UK may have an impeccable credit history in the US but little or none in Britain. Without a domestic record, high street banks sometimes decline applications outright.
Complex Compensation Packages
Partnership profit shares, bonuses, and stock options are common in large US firms. These are difficult for rigid underwriting models to interpret, particularly when vesting schedules or cross-border structures are involved.
Why American Lawyers Are Highly Attractive Borrowers
Despite these obstacles, American lawyers are exactly the type of clients lenders want. They typically earn significantly above UK averages, work for prestigious international firms, and have strong long-term career prospects. Their profession is seen as secure, their incomes are consistent at the annual level, and their financial literacy tends to be high.
Private banks, in particular, see US lawyers in London as a key client group. Mortgages are often the beginning of broader relationships that may later include FX services, investment management, and succession planning. As we explained in
Why Private Banks Favour Legal Professionals, legal professionals offer long-term value far beyond an individual mortgage.
Case Study: A US Attorney at a London Firm
One of our clients was a mid-level associate at a US-headquartered firm in London, earning $300,000 annually, with compensation paid in both dollars and sterling. A UK high street bank rejected the application on the basis that the majority of income was in foreign currency.
By presenting the case to a private bank with international expertise, and by providing tax filings that demonstrated stable net income across both jurisdictions, we secured a £1.4 million mortgage. The facility also included a built-in FX service, enabling the client to transfer dollars to sterling at competitive rates.
Case Study: A Partner With US and UK Profit Shares
Another client, a newly promoted partner at a top-ten global firm, received profit shares from both the London and New York offices. On paper, this created complexity: dual tax filings, income split across jurisdictions, and fluctuating dollar-sterling rates.
High street lenders declined, claiming the structure was “too complex.” Willow repackaged the case for a private bank familiar with transatlantic partners. By providing audited partnership accounts, evidence of future drawings, and a history of consistent distributions, we secured a £3 million facility in London. This also opened doors to broader wealth planning and IHT solutions, ensuring the mortgage formed part of a wider financial strategy.
Currency Risk and How Lenders Manage It
One of the biggest factors in underwriting American lawyers is currency exposure. Sterling may strengthen or weaken against the dollar, affecting affordability on paper. Lenders mitigate this in several ways:
- Applying conservative exchange rates for stress testing.
- Using dual-income assessments where part of the salary is in GBP.
- Requiring evidence of consistent transfers over time.
For lawyers, this can feel restrictive. But with the right lender, the risk is contextualised rather than exaggerated. At Willow, we identify which banks are best suited to dollar earners, ensuring that high salaries aren’t penalised by blanket policies.
Private Banks vs. High Street Lenders
The difference between high street banks and private banks is stark for US lawyers in London. High street lenders apply rigid criteria, often rejecting cross-border cases outright. Private banks, by contrast, take a relationship view. They want to win a client for the long term, so they are more willing to accept international complexity.
This often means better loan-to-value ratios, higher multiples of income, and more flexible terms. For senior US partners, mortgages may even be secured against global assets or linked to wider investment relationships.
Planning Beyond the Mortgage
For American lawyers, mortgages are rarely isolated financial products. They often tie into broader issues:
- Investment Strategy – Many US lawyers want to hold UK property as a long-term investment while also building portfolios in the US. Private banks can structure facilities around both.
How Willow Private Finance Helps
Our role is to ensure that American lawyers in the UK are not held back by the limitations of mainstream underwriting. We work directly with lenders who understand dual taxation, foreign currency income, and partnership profit shares. We also know how to present cases in a way that highlights stability, long-term earning potential, and the prestige of international legal careers.
Whether you are a junior associate relocating from New York or a senior partner managing global profit shares, Willow ensures you can access the UK property market on terms that reflect your true financial strength.
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