going from public interest to big law. possible? Forum

[Anonymous User]

hi guys,

I'm in a jam and need some help.

I graduated in 2016 from a T6, worked my ass off all of law school. did very well initially, well enough to transfer from a T15, but my grades sunk my last year and a half. went from a 3.6 to a 3.3.

I also struck out at OCI, despite having good grades at the time. for whatever reason firms didn't think I was interested. I was torn about private practice versus public interest at the time so maybe that explains it.

I focused on international law and litigation in school and I just finished a clerkship abroad. now that I'm back, I've found that big law firms are either disinterested in me because I didn't summer at a firm, or there are no litigation openings, which is what I'm gunning for.

I talked to a legal recruiter the other day and she said that my options are limited. if I go to a smaller firm, it's unlikely I'll be able to move up to a big law firm later. she also confirmed that litigation is on the downturn.

she did say that if I'm interested in a position in international law--international litigation and arbitration--I might have a shot but I'll have to network like crazy/that that route is nonstandard. finally, she said that a federal clerkship can reset my chances with big law potentially as well.

I just applied to district court clerkships but it's gonna be a challenge with my grades and I might not get a clerkship till next year if at all. I'm also actively pursuing international litigation/arbitration but it's gonna take some time to build up my resume in that area.

1) do I have a shot at big law still? I've been told to reach out to international law firms like foley hoag and king & spalding, but I haven't had luck yet. I should note I'm willing to go to virtually any office (I took/passed the new york bar).

2) if I do have a chance, is my best chance international litigation and arbitration? one route is to do an unpaid internship in arbitration, and then try my hand at internships at magic circle firms in europe, e.g. freshfields, shearman & sterling. I have received this advice from several practitioners and professors, and it's a route I can go down, but it's going to take some time. the hope is that if I get one of these firm internships, I can try my hand again at an arbitration associate position in europe or in new york/DC.

3) is it truly impossible to move from a mid-sized firm, say, to a big law firm? what are the best mid-sized firms for this?

4) would a federal clerkship reset my chances, were I to get one? a district court clerkship, say? I know one alum of my school who did this--did public interest, then did a district court clerkship, and now at a big law firm.

5) the recruiter said there are way more openings in corporate these days. she said becuase I don't have a corporate background, I would have to pitch myself as a workhorse/someone who's willing to put in long hours to a busy firm with a large caseload who might want to take me on.

it's been extremely frustrating getting my foot in the door and not being able to get even an interview at a big law firm, so I'd really appreciate any advice you guys might have. thanks all.