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I'm a junior associate in biglaw bankruptcy and I hate it. I'm pretty frugal so I could honestly take a significant pay cut. Does anyone know of any jobs out there that pay at least between $90K-100K (particularly in the DC area)? Any ledes would be appreciated.

usajobs.com

UnfrozenCaveman wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 2:20 pm

usajobs.com

Thanks, but don't these all generally require specific work experience?

I'm also curious about the DC job market. I'll be joining a firm and don't really have any plans to do anything other than big law at least for a while, but it would be interesting to hear about exit opportunities in the private sector for transactional attorneys in the area. I know its possible to go into the federal government from a transactional practice, but that route definitely seems to have more options for litigation folks.

Government, in-house, the Hill. There are way more government affairs positions than in-house counsel positions in DC, so government or Hill experience can be invaluable.

You're in DC. I would look at government positions. Unlike biglaw, most of these positions are relatively low stress, come with good benefits/job security, and have no billable hour requirements.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:47 pm

I'm a junior associate in biglaw bankruptcy and I hate it. I'm pretty frugal so I could honestly take a significant pay cut. Does anyone know of any jobs out there that pay at least between $90K-100K (particularly in the DC area)? Any ledes would be appreciated.

Bankruptcy is a very niche practice. Do you like the transactional or litigation tasks more? (Or, put another way, which do you dislike less?) It may be that another practice group is a better fit for you. You should be able to switch as a junior, particularly if you're at a more reputable large law firm.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:25 am

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:47 pm

I'm a junior associate in biglaw bankruptcy and I hate it. I'm pretty frugal so I could honestly take a significant pay cut. Does anyone know of any jobs out there that pay at least between $90K-100K (particularly in the DC area)? Any ledes would be appreciated.

Bankruptcy is a very niche practice. Do you like the transactional or litigation tasks more? (Or, put another way, which do you dislike less?) It may be that another practice group is a better fit for you. You should be able to switch as a junior, particularly if you're at a more reputable large law firm.

OP here. I like the litigation aspects more (would like to switch to lit altogether). Is switching something that I would do within my firm or would I be able to lateral as a junior? If the latter, how does one address this in a cover letter and would it be appropriate to agree to a class year reduction up front (which I would be willing to do)?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 30, 2020 1:42 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:25 am

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:47 pm

I'm a junior associate in biglaw bankruptcy and I hate it. I'm pretty frugal so I could honestly take a significant pay cut. Does anyone know of any jobs out there that pay at least between $90K-100K (particularly in the DC area)? Any ledes would be appreciated.

Bankruptcy is a very niche practice. Do you like the transactional or litigation tasks more? (Or, put another way, which do you dislike less?) It may be that another practice group is a better fit for you. You should be able to switch as a junior, particularly if you're at a more reputable large law firm.

OP here. I like the litigation aspects more (would like to switch to lit altogether). Is switching something that I would do within my firm or would I be able to lateral as a junior? If the latter, how does one address this in a cover letter and would it be appropriate to agree to a class year reduction up front (which I would be willing to do)?

I would try within your firm first. I know numerous juniors that switched practice areas in their first/second years since the firm would often rather accommodate that transition rather than lose a body. If they say no, I'd start looking at other firms ASAP. Enlist the help of a recruiter if you don't have time to do the whole cover letter thing for a bunch a firms (there are plenty of threads on here with recommendations for recruiters if you use the search function). I think explaining that you "enjoyed" the litigation aspects of bankruptcy enough that you want to make lit your full practice is perfectly reasonable explanation. I don't think I'd offer up the class year reduction, especially since you're a junior and have done some lit work it may not be necessary. A recruiter would probably have more insight on that.

There are lots of good midsized firms in Northern Virginia (Arlington/Tysons/etc) that might fit the bill.