Litigation Lateral Forum

[MoonDreamer]

I don't understand. Why do firms care about my transcript and GPA from law school? A firm of similar quality decided to hire, retain, and invest in me. Isn't that enough? I was bottom 30% of a tier 3 so that's not going to look good.

They will probably be very skeptical of why the firm hired you in the first place and why they (or you) want you out the door. Particularly if you're asking how soon you can bail. Short tenure + bad grades sounds like a ticking time bomb that no one will want to touch.

Great personality? People skills?

Look, you can try and rationalize it however you want but the bottom line is firms are going to care about your grades and your law school pedigree.

It is what it is. There's nothing you can really do to change that.

You decided to go to a T3 and then didn't get good grades.

Just be happy you have a job.

For what it's worth my school used to be a Tier 2 when I joined. Also I went to an elite college. Does that matter?

[TheZoid]

No, it doesn't matter at all. You're not getting the fact that you're credentials just aren't very good. In fact, bottom third at a T3 is basically atrocious by big law standards, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that you're not particularly marketable.

ETA- just to give some context, bottom third might struggle to get big law at a T-14, and the T-14 and T3 are in totally different leagues.

[MoonDreamer]

No, it doesn't matter at all. You're not getting the fact that you're credentials just aren't very good. In fact, bottom third at a T3 is basically atrocious by big law standards, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that you're not particularly marketable.

ETA- just to give some context, bottom third might struggle to get big law at a T-14, and the T-14 and T3 are in totally different leagues.

Just so I'm clear. I have biglaw now. Does this make a difference?

[TheZoid]

I'm not in big law so it would make more sense for someone who is to give you some input, but based on the responses you're getting, apparently it doesn't. It's a really tough market and there are tons of qualified people out there, so it shouldn't be a shocker that this will be a tough road.

[MoonDreamer]

Sounds like I better stay where I am or else I'm f-d

[anon168]

Sounds like I better stay where I am or else I'm f-d

Talk to a headhunter.

99% of the people have no idea what they're talking about. The other 1% are just lying.

[MoonDreamer]

Sounds like I better stay where I am or else I'm f-d

Talk to a headhunter.

99% of the people have no idea what they're talking about. The other 1% are just lying.

I'm so confused. Ok.

[heartbreaker]

Are you trying to lateral to another big law firm or to a litigation boutique? If big law, what's the point of transferring to another big law firm after a year? If a boutique, lateraling after one year is too soon. The less prestigious boutiques care less about schools/pedigree and more about litigation experience, which you just won't have after a year at big law. In the future, if you develop worthwhile skills and have people backing you, you may be an attractive candidate. The elite litigation shops similarly do not care about your one year at big law, and for those firms, it will never happen, as a federal clerkship (which nowadays is a proxy for school/grades) is a prerequisite in NYC/DC.

[MoonDreamer]

Are you trying to lateral to another big law firm or to a litigation boutique? If big law, what's the point of transferring to another big law firm after a year? If a boutique, lateraling after one year is too soon. The less prestigious boutiques care less about schools/pedigree and more about litigation experience, which you just won't have after a year at big law. In the future, if you develop worthwhile skills and have people backing you, you may be an attractive candidate. The elite litigation shops similarly do not care about your one year at big law, and for those firms, it will never happen, as a federal clerkship (which nowadays is a proxy for school/grades) is a prerequisite in NYC/DC.

yep, you're a heartbreaker.

[A. Nony Mouse]

how will they actually know what kind of work i've done? People don't put "wrote motions, drafted rogs" on their resumes.

Why wouldn't they put that on their resume? What do you put on your resume?

[MoonDreamer]

how will they actually know what kind of work i've done? People don't put "wrote motions, drafted rogs" on their resumes.

Why wouldn't they put that on their resume? What do you put on your resume?

"pre-trial litigation"

[A. Nony Mouse]

how will they actually know what kind of work i've done? People don't put "wrote motions, drafted rogs" on their resumes.

Why wouldn't they put that on their resume? What do you put on your resume?

"pre-trial litigation"

Well, if you want people to know what kind of work you've done (which would have some utility), why not be more specific?

[MoonDreamer]

how will they actually know what kind of work i've done? People don't put "wrote motions, drafted rogs" on their resumes.

Why wouldn't they put that on their resume? What do you put on your resume?

"pre-trial litigation"

Well, if you want people to know what kind of work you've done (which would have some utility), why not be more specific?

I just figure everyone does the same stuff.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Well, if you want people to know what kind of work you've done (which would have some utility), why not be more specific?

I just figure everyone does the same stuff.

If they did, you wouldn't have to ask how people would know what you've actually done. Except the point was that no, not everyone does the same stuff:

It really depends on the type of work you do. If you spend your entire first and second years doing doc review, no one is going to want you as a third year. If you've taken depos, written motions, worked with experts, etc., then you'll be much more marketable no matter what your year is.

[Anonymous User]

OP, how were you able to swing a big firm job from the bottom of a T3 in the first place?

[Anonymous User]

What is the minimum amount of time required to be able to feasibly lateral as a litigation associate? I'm at a great firm but I got crappy grades in law school. Been there for about a year now. A lot of posting want law school transcripts, which is absurd.

Advice would be appreciated.

Sorry to break it to you, but 90% (or more) of the firms out there will always want transcripts and if your resume doesn't already have your GPA, it should.

Do small firms specializing in areas like family or immigration law ask for transcripts if you've been several years outta law school?

[anon168]

What is the minimum amount of time required to be able to feasibly lateral as a litigation associate? I'm at a great firm but I got crappy grades in law school. Been there for about a year now. A lot of posting want law school transcripts, which is absurd.

Advice would be appreciated.

Sorry to break it to you, but 90% (or more) of the firms out there will always want transcripts and if your resume doesn't already have your GPA, it should.

Do small firms specializing in areas like family or immigration law ask for transcripts if you've been several years outta law school?

Probably not, but it would help if you had prior experience in family or immigration law.