Want to do employment law - which job? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently a junior biglaw associate (just finished the first year), and I've been quite unhappy with the lack of substantive experience available. I've done some legal research and writing, but that's about it. There's an opportunity to join a well respected small 20-people firm that does general commercial/IP lit, where presumably I will get more hands on experience.

Ultimately I want to do employment law (worked on a related matter thought it was interesting + decent exit options). Should I stay at the current biglaw job and hope its name will eventually help me land a L & E job, or should I take the small firm job that offers more substantive experience? Neither firm does much l&e work (the small firm prob does a little more). The hours are the same, but the pay at small firm is about 40% less.

Apologies for any typos/gramma mistakes; I typed this on a phone.

[Anonymous User]

I was literally in the same boat as you. Finished a year of general lit, and knew I wanted to do L&E for a number of reasons. Started applying broadly to firms that have strong L&E groups and got a number of interviews. Found out that 1-2 years of gen lit is fine to make the switch into L&E. But once you are in your 3rd year or further, the substantive gap is too big given your level of seniority and the switch becomes hard if not impossible. Now is definitely the time. But that doesn't mean to go to a firm where you are unsure if you will even get to do L&E. The lateral process can take many months, so just make sure you do your due diligence before jumping at a position, since you won't get another bite at this apple.

If your current firm won't allow you to do L&E there, then I'd make a move. Whether this small firm is the right option is not entirely clear, but I'm inclined to say its not the right next step. If you want to do L&E, you should be focusing on firms that really have a big focus on that area. For example, you have large L&E-specialized firms like Jackson Lewis, Littler Mendelson, Ogletree Deakins, etc. Then you have biglaw firms who do everything but have very strong L&E practices like Morgan Lewis, Proskauer, Paul Hastings, etc. There are also a number of smaller L&E firms that would allow you to get great experience with smaller clients & cases. Lots of options out there, so reach out to as many people and places as you can.

I can tell you more in general, but not in a public forum. Has to be via PM. Here is what you should do. Make your response post a non-anonymous post so that I can PM you. Leave the post up for 1 minute, and then delete it, and I can give you more info and maybe point you in the right direction.

[zot1]

Government agencies

[Jay2716]

Not OP, but I was going to make a similar thread as this at some point. I would appreciate a PM from the anon above too.