Lateral Advice
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 8:14 pm
I'm currently a junior associate, doing commercial litigation at a V100 firm. I've done some interesting work, gotten great experience, and am generally well-regarded at my firm. However, I'm considering an offer to join the tech transactions group at a much higher ranked firm.
I generally enjoy litigating (or, at least, I enjoy 25% of my job - I don't have much of a taste for discovery), but I don't love the career prospects. My group at my firm rarely or never makes partners, I'm not wild about government work, and I know that in-house opportunities for litigators are slim to none. I also know that once you get to a certain level of seniority, it's pretty difficult to switch positions (and because there's light demand for senior litigators who aren't partners, the options in that position are slim).
I'm attracted to tech transactions work because I like the industry, and like the idea of working with new technologies and businesses (rather than spending years dealing with litigation over a transaction that occurred 5 years ago). I also have the sense that there are strong exit opportunities to in-house positions and tech companies from this position, and I like the idea that I wouldn't be tied to biglaw. Although I know that I won't be able to avoid the terrible hours and obnoxious personalities by going to another firm, I like the idea that I would have the opportunity to get out of biglaw altogether down the line.
So I guess I'm looking to hear from both litigators and people working in tech transactions to see what their opinion is on the above (especially more senior people who can speak to the future prospects). I want to make sure I'm doing this for the right reasons, so if any of this is misguided or incorrect, please let me know why.
I generally enjoy litigating (or, at least, I enjoy 25% of my job - I don't have much of a taste for discovery), but I don't love the career prospects. My group at my firm rarely or never makes partners, I'm not wild about government work, and I know that in-house opportunities for litigators are slim to none. I also know that once you get to a certain level of seniority, it's pretty difficult to switch positions (and because there's light demand for senior litigators who aren't partners, the options in that position are slim).
I'm attracted to tech transactions work because I like the industry, and like the idea of working with new technologies and businesses (rather than spending years dealing with litigation over a transaction that occurred 5 years ago). I also have the sense that there are strong exit opportunities to in-house positions and tech companies from this position, and I like the idea that I wouldn't be tied to biglaw. Although I know that I won't be able to avoid the terrible hours and obnoxious personalities by going to another firm, I like the idea that I would have the opportunity to get out of biglaw altogether down the line.
So I guess I'm looking to hear from both litigators and people working in tech transactions to see what their opinion is on the above (especially more senior people who can speak to the future prospects). I want to make sure I'm doing this for the right reasons, so if any of this is misguided or incorrect, please let me know why.