Advice: 3L, TTT Regional: Law Rev., Moot Court, Top 25%. Forum

[Anonymous User]

Transcript basically in the heading. I'm also teaching assistant for a 2nd/3rd year litigation class. My resume overwhelmingly indicates a preference for public interest work (D.A./P.D. internships). However, I'm not sure I'm so inclined to go that route after graduating--assuming (albeit a massive stretch) that I have the freedom to choose. I think I'd be much happier in a mid-size firm or even small firm, getting acquainted with commercial lit. I feel as if I've pigeon holed myself into a pub. interest career thus far, and am looking for advice/anecdotes/guides on how to structure my 3L job hunt if I ultimately decide pub. interest isn't what I want to do. Thanks for any advice.

[lisjjen]

Transcript basically in the heading. I'm also teaching assistant for a 2nd/3rd year litigation class. My resume overwhelmingly indicates a preference for public interest work (D.A./P.D. internships). However, I'm not sure I'm so inclined to go that route after graduating--assuming (albeit a massive stretch) that I have the freedom to choose. I think I'd be much happier in a mid-size firm or even small firm, getting acquainted with commercial lit. I feel as if I've pigeon holed myself into a pub. interest career thus far, and am looking for advice/anecdotes/guides on how to structure my 3L job hunt if I ultimately decide pub. interest isn't what I want to do. Thanks for any advice.

I'd say if you really really want to go the firm route and you can find one, then maybe that's what you should do, but might I recommend doing Public Interest work for a couple of years first? That's shorter than the time you spent in law school and it will give you more options as far as firms to go to, and will put you in a better position once you do go to a firm for going to court and advancing.

[Anonymous User]

OP.

I appreciate the response. It seems that most of the attorneys in my office ultimately leave to get into private criminal defense work. I have no interest in making criminal defense my specialization. No offense to the practice, but it's just not for me. I fear that if I were to get into a D.A./P.D. position immediately upon graduating, my lateral options would be mostly limited to criminal defense work.

[lisjjen]

OP.

I appreciate the response. It seems that most of the attorneys in my office ultimately leave to get into private criminal defense work. I have no interest in making criminal defense my specialization. No offense to the practice, but it's just not for me. I fear that if I were to get into a D.A./P.D. position immediately upon graduating, my lateral options would be mostly limited to criminal defense work.

Have you considered the state AG's office slash other state agency or maybe a county counsel office?

[Anonymous User]

I have given some thought to various other state agencies. My questions is whether they'd be willing to hire someone who has no previous experience working in their respective offices. Also, would working at one of these agencies - as opposed to a county D.A./P.D. office - offer better transition opportunities into private practice "down the line?"