How difficult is it to go major market Public Defense --> Impact lit PI? Forum

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genericapplicant2017

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How difficult is it to go major market Public Defense --> Impact lit PI?

Post by genericapplicant2017 » Thu Jan 18, 2018 2:41 pm

Question in title.

For my own interest, assume that we are talking about a T13 graduate, no clerkship, with some experience at a PD office in a major market (BxD, Brooklyn Defenders, LAS, PDS in DC, Cook County, etc.)
How practical is it to transition from PD work in such an office to work at an impact litigation organization? (not necessarily as high profile as ACLU, but orgs that do work of that general nature) Is it easier to lateral from a biglaw firm, or is this a realistic possibility?

I'm interested because I've seen quite a few bios of attorneys in impact lit organizations that spent time in BxD, PDS, etc. but obviously there are only so many positions available in these orgs and presumably there are just as many (if not more) PDs who are unable to make such a transition.

Thanks for any insight or experience that you can provide.

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