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I'm burnt out on litigation type jobs and am starting to think my personality might be better suited to a transactional practice. I graduated from UT/Vandy in the top 15% and then completed a district clerkship. I then practiced privately for two years--a smattering of insurance and municipality defense. I now clerk for a magistrate judge.

I am thinking of trying to break into a transactional practice after this clerkship. I know I'll need to sell my reasons for the transition. So, I'm working on crafting a compelling narrative. Any other tips/thoughts as to whether this type of transition is possible? I graduated in 2015 btw, but I would be willing to come in as a first year.

I think the harder sell is going to be trying to get an employer to invest in you when you seemingly haven’t held a job for more than a year since you graduated and it seems like you’ve just ember bouncing around different areas (no central focus).

Honestly, I think the best option would try to get into a biglaw/midlaw firm that has both litigation and corporate. Try to get into a commercial lit practice area. Then, maybe ask for an internal transfer afterwards.

As an aside, I constantly see a post for Arent Fox’s DC office that seems to be willing to retool. You have great credentials, so maybe they’d bite.

I don't think D Ct clerk for 1 year + 2 years private practice + mag clerkship really looks like someone's bouncing around - they've held a firm job for 2 years (I'm assuming it was the same employer I guess?) and clerkships are short by definition. It would be different maybe if this were 3 different firm jobs. (OP, sorry that I don't have any real advice on your question, I just don't really agree with the above.)

nixy wrote:I don't think D Ct clerk for 1 year + 2 years private practice + mag clerkship really looks like someone's bouncing around - they've held a firm job for 2 years (I'm assuming it was the same employer I guess?) and clerkships are short by definition. It would be different maybe if this were 3 different firm jobs. (OP, sorry that I don't have any real advice on your question, I just don't really agree with the above.)

I took the two years of private practice to mean 2+ firms. If not, then I agree with the above.

I wouldn't necessarily work with a recruiter, but you could try to call one up and get some free advice.