Law Firm Reference Librarian - Permanent Pigeonhole? Forum

[Anonymous User]

So I'm a first-year associate in a BigLaw firm litigation... and, unsurprisingly, I hate it. It's doing severe damage to my mental health and I'm really worried that the damage may become permanent.
An AmLaw firm in the area is looking for a reference librarian to assist with research and the firm's intranet resources. The pay isn't bad, it's a position with PTO and sick time, and I like research most out of everything I do as an associate (I liked that best as a clerk, too). I applied on impulse and I've got an interview tomorrow with them. It seems like a fairly stable position, although who knows what the robots will take over in the future.

I'm sort of panicking, though, because while I'm 90% sure I'd like this job better and be happier, I worry that taking it, should they offer it to me, will wreck my prospects should I ever want to try practicing law again. I don't think I'd ever want to practice in BigLaw again, I've always been more interested in government work, and I'd be willing to come in at ground level as needed, but I worry my resume would be thrown in the trash.

Does anyone have any advice or stories on folks who took a position like this and either were or were not able to transition back into law?

[Anonymous User]

As a first year lit associate I always think that the research library folks have a pretty tough job too. I’m sure they train new people where to look for everything, but it must be difficult to be fielding random research questions from every different case, every different practice group, etc. they do a great job though.

[Anonymous User]

As a first year lit associate I always think that the research library folks have a pretty tough job too. I’m sure they train new people where to look for everything, but it must be difficult to be fielding random research questions from every different case, every different practice group, etc. they do a great job though.

Oh, I absolutely don't think they have an easy job. I just think it's a job I'd be better suited for. I love research and I get a weird thrill when I find an answer, but I'm very unhappy (understatement, I'm very mentally unwell and keep stacking on new meds and more therapy like that will help) as an associate for reasons that I'm told are intrinsic to being an attorney at a firm.

[JusticeJackson]

An associate left my firm to go do this at Skadden and within months she called and begged us to take her back. Said it’s the same job as first year associate with a fraction of the pay.

[snehpets]

I think the poster above is probably describing the more likely scenario - rushed deadlines, poor/rude treatment from associates, not particularly rewarding or interesting research requests in most cases, huge paycut, etc. I definitely feel where you’re coming from, I just unfortunately think the odds are low that it will turn out to be what you’re looking for.

[jotarokujo]

i dont see how the work would be different from a first year lit associate who also mostly does research and writes memos

[ESQ92]

OP, for what it's worth, I have a friend who did not pass the bar and works as a reference librarian at a V100 firm in a major market. He says it's a very chill job with regular hours, and they could probably get by with fewer librarians because they aren't fully utilized. So I think this is probably firm specific and you should try to get in contact with the people doing this at the firm you're interviewing at. Sounds like some firms are the complete opposite and treat their librarians like associates.