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I recently graduated and am starting a clerkship in August. I worked at a firm in DC last summer and have an offer that's open until the end of my clerkship. I'm hoping to work in biglaw for 2-3 years before moving into government. I'm particularly interested in environmental and immigration issues, and longer term, I'd love to get involved in those issues in a policy role (e.g., working on the Hill, working in a policy job at an agency).

My question is this: how much of a difference would it make if I worked at a firm in Chicago instead of one in DC for those 2-3 years? I'm planning to do litigation, so I imagine the day-to-day work would be similar. It seems that the only difference would be that DC partners are better connected to government, but I'm not sure how much those connections would matter if I didn't stay in biglaw very long.

The reason I've starting reconsidering is that I've gotten into a pretty serious relationship in Chicago, and my SO is going to be here for at least another few years for med school. I feel like the relationship has a much better chance of working out if I'm in Chicago after my clerkship, but it's also not far enough along that I'd be willing to make any major career sacrifices for it.

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on this. It's obviously hard for me to be objective, so let me know if I'm crazy for thinking that DC vs. Chicago biglaw doesn't matter that much.

Shameless bump. Anyone? I'd appreciate any thoughts, even if they're just speculation.

This is just speculation, but since you asked, I do think it's going to make a difference. Having better connections is pretty huge, and the policy world is small enough that you need all the help you can get, especially since you won't be doing anything related to it. The other thing is, depending on your DC firm, you absolutely could at least be doing litigation and/or regulatory work related to the EPA, FERC, etc. if you really tried to get it. I don't know if that matters at all for your career path, though.

I'm all for making sacrifices to be with the people you love, though.

Thanks for the reply! It's always useful to get someone else's thoughts, so this is really helpful.

Don't put it on the pedestal.

I interned in the Senate and did a policy fellowship in DC before ultimately taking a job in the private sector after law school.

First, breaking into the policy world can be a challenge. Its a small insular community further balkanized by issue. The tech folks probably don't know the environmental folks who might not know the tax folks. So you competing with very passonate people for a small number of jobs. Connections matter in that situation.

Second, its hard to make connections when you are not physically present in DC. Could you develop a highly specialized expertise in energy law, meet some people at The Nature Conservancy (or DoE) and come to DC? Sure. That happens all the time. But easier to meet those people when you are in the same city.

Third, the pay. If you are go to a public-interest NGO, an agency, or to an legislative assistant or counsel position on the Hill the pay is going to be much much less than at a firm. People choose passion over money all the time, but go in with your eyes open. If you want to work for Patton Boggs (Squire Boggs now?) you'll probably need to develop connections beforehand.

So, I think you would be at a disadvantage transitioning from Chicago to DC policy work. If you decide to stay in Chicago for personal reasons (totally cool btw) then I would focus your practice on something with a DC hook like regulatory work, tax, or healthcare. Try to make connections with people working on these issues and build a case for a move in the future.

Thanks! This is very informative. I appreciate the advice.