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I will not go into a long discussion regarding my situation but the bottom line is I am a second year M&A/corporate associate in a secondary market that was laid off around 2 months ago. I have interviewed at 7-8 large firms in primary cities but have not yet received an offer. I currently have two offers that have acceptance deadlines by Monday of next week. The first, is a state trial court clerkship. This position would be a year or two long, the pay is not great, and I have no idea what my exit options may be down the line. The second, is a position with a boutique commercial real estate firm that has very little to do with law or the practice of law. This position would allow for good growth, the pay is better, and it would allow me to invest in more real estate (I already own a few investment properties). I am in my late 20's and am stuck on what to do/how to approach these deadlines. Part of me feels like I attended a great law school and worked my ass off for 3 years to learn how to be a good lawyer and am giving up too easily. The other part of me feels like this real estate opportunity is more inline with my skill set and would allow me to flourish in business. I am stuck on which option to pursue and would appreciate any and all insight/advice/thoughts.

So, you worked in Corp/M&A. Did you like being on the transactional side, or are you trying to get more litigation in your life?

That sounds like the real struggle/question you are asking. It seems to me like the real estate firm would provide a lot of business/transactional connections and help you step further in that world.

A clerkship with a state trial judge would pull you more to the litigation side of things. Did you miss that part when you worked in corporate? Do you want to be doing litigation or trial work?

It sounds like that is what you are trying to figure out. Not sure if it helps, but you will be the one who knows which one holds more appeal/interest for you.

I am also a proponent of listening to your gut/hunches. They are usually something your subconscious has figured out which your conscious brain hasn't yet.

as a first year corp associate, the real estate gig sounds awesome. Without knowing more details, I would go with that.

Anecdotal: I work at a midsized real estate boutique law firm in NYC. Some of our clients (property managers) have JDs but don't really practice law outside the common landlord/tenant and contract issues. But damn do they make some good money. I think if you're going to be in property management, there's not much room to move up in the company unless you are a principal. But the hours are great and the pay can be good.

Honestly the real estate gig sounds like an awesome job and the kind of exit option you'd be looking for 3-4 years down the road if you had stayed in big law anyway. I'd take it and never look back.

Do you have experience with what people in commercial real estate actually do? It may be that that's your best option, but I personally would choose almost any career over commercial real estate.

OP here the RE group has a niche strong old on certain commercial/industrial appraisal work, brokers commercial property and does auctions. I should have clarified that in the original statement.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here the RE group has a niche strong old on certain commercial/industrial appraisal work, brokers commercial property and does auctions. I should have clarified that in the original statement.

I was above anon, oh yeah I would definitely do that then. I just wouldn't want to get trapped in what guys straight out of UG are doing in "commercial real estate." I would take the real estate job then unless you have some overwhelming urge to start a career in litigation.

but bear in mind if you move down to a boutique real estate firm it's harder to go back to your white-shoe vault-15 league

One bump for any other insight

Take the real estate gig. If one of the big firms makes an offer and you want it - take it. Not the best way to conduct business - but probably the only good option for you right now.

OP here - Looking for one last push as I have to make my decision by tomorrow morning.

i'd go for clerkship

Anonymous User wrote:but bear in mind if you move down to a boutique real estate firm it's harder to go back to your white-shoe vault-15 league

Being laid off as early as OP was makes this a wild long shot anyway.

I'd take the RE gig - the clerkship just kicks the can for a year and I'm skeptical the same caliber option would be available after.