Moving from Criminal Law to Civil Law Work Forum

[seagan823]

I am interested in going to law school to pursue a career working with indigent populations. As of now I am equally interested in handling civil cases (TANF, housing, family law, etc.) for a legal services organization or working at a PD office.

Suppose I landed a job as a PD. Could I ever exit that to work in a civil division of Legal Aid? Or vice versa?

I am asking because I figured I would go to law school and cast a wide net, participating in clinics and interning/summering with a variety of organizations serving low income populations, and ultimately apply to legal aid/legal services offices, PD offices, Equal Justice Works and school/firm sponsored pro bono fellowships. I just want to know how my first job would likely define the rest of my career.

[utlaw2007]

Yes. Moving from criminal to civil is done seamlessly. And employers would not care, especially if you have substantial trial experience.