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I'd like to do commercial complex litigation, preferably w a big firm in NY or a particular secondary.

However, my resume is all about how I've worked in the public sector or non-business shit (americorps/fed govt internships/criminal law research assistant). How do I respond to a question from a firm asking me what makes me want to work in an office and do civil litigation? I mean, I want the cash, but thats a bad answer.

I was asked this question today by a firm, and stumbled a bit because IDK what its like to be a real lawyer yet and IDK what its like to work as a civil litigator. I fell back on the good ol' "I liked civ pro, torts and legal research and writing" shindig.

Any advice, or specifically how to go about answering this question would be appreciated.

- heavold

"I enjoyed working in the government and did well in that environment, but based on my conversation with current practicing attorneys I think my interests and skills are best fit for work in BIGFLAW. XXX classes in law school and XXX experience has reinforced this for me"

Me: 2 years peace corps, 5 years government work before law school. Just finished my job at a big law firm doing transactions. I told them that when I was looking for jobs in this economy, the public sector was hiring. But I was interested in the private sector and law, and I intended to use law school as a career transition into it.

i would emphasize the commercial aspect of the work you're going into. talk about the interesting clients the firm has, how you want to do work on those projects or big cases they've done in the past.