Opportunities for Litigators Forum

[Anonymous User]

So, when faced with the option of choosing a transactional or regulatory path vs. a commercial litigation path at a firm, I was wondering what sort of opportunities there are for litigators when transitioning outside of the firm. Do F500 companies tend to bring in litigators from firms, or are you more stuck going to government (prosecution, PD, and the like)?

[androstan]

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Litigation or Transactional?

[Anonymous User]

Well played. Think I just got flamed, and am in no way upset

To be a bit more specific, I have the option of going into general commercial lit (at a firm that does a lot of advertising and media work), or doing straight-up advertising regulatory work (a less prestigious and smaller practice at this firm). I like the variety that commercial litigation offers, but am concerned that this would make it more difficult for me to transition in-house at an F500 in the industries I'm interested in.

Thoughts?

[Bronte]

Well played. Think I just got flamed, and am in no way upset

To be a bit more specific, I have the option of going into general commercial lit (at a firm that does a lot of advertising and media work), or doing straight-up advertising regulatory work (a less prestigious and smaller practice at this firm). I like the variety that commercial litigation offers, but am concerned that this would make it more difficult for me to transition in-house at an F500 in the industries I'm interested in.

Thoughts?

It's hard to imagine that exit options are going to be better from an advertising regulation practice than from a general litigation practice. The former is very niche.

[piccolittle]

Bear in mind that with things like advertising/IP/media, litigation experience can actually translate pretty well into in-house compliance or IP counsel work. The main part of those is being familiar with the issues and being able to formulate a strategy as well as knowing how these things can play out in a conflict, which can often be better learned in litigation than as a transactional lawyer. My boss this summer was a trademark litigator before she went in-house, and she is not in a litigation role there, but more of all-round trademark counsel.

[Anonymous User]

@ Bronte - you'd be surprised. I've actually seen a ton of postings for in-house ad / marketing reg attorneys, as it makes more sense than Hiring Outside Counsel for larger consumer-facing companies. (think P&G, CocaCola, etc.)

@ Picco - that actually makes sense. My firm's litigators often do a lot of media work, so I would likely be able to get at least some exposure. Having a wider range of skills couldn't hurt either.

Thanks guys, this was actually really helpful!