Retooling as a junior associate? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Looking for some advice/insight.

I started as a first year associate in January. I am in the finance group at my firm (which has a well-regarded finance practice), and I’ve also worked on a couple of M&A deals. I like the work, but I’m not very happy with my firm and am interested in lateraling. To this end, I am interested in possibly retooling to do VC/EC work, as the firms I am interested in in the city I am interested in do a lot of that work, but don’t have large finance practices in that city. Is it possible to retool this early in one’s career? How do you go about it?

[CanadianWolf]

If your use of the term "retool" means "switch practice areas", the answer is yes,a first year associate should be able to switch from finance & M&A into VC/EC (venture capital/emerging companies) work at a law firm.

OP: Can you elaborate on your thought of what "retooling" entails ? What do you think is missing in your background that would necessitate "retooling" ?

[Anonymous User]

If your use of the term "retool" means "switch practice areas", the answer is yes,a first year associate should be able to switch from finance & M&A into VC/EC (venture capital/emerging companies) work at a law firm.

OP: Can you elaborate on your thought of what "retooling" entails ? What do you think is missing in your background that would necessitate "retooling" ?

Hi, sorry, yes, I meant switching practice areas.

[Anonymous User]

Delete

[Anonymous User]

Just curious, as someone with a similar interest, what makes you think another firm would be better, if you're already happy with the work at your current firm? Are you trying to go out west?

Apologies for being vague, but I don’t want to out myself.

I’m trying to move to a city where many of the firms focus on this type of work. I’m happy with the work at my firm but not my firm generally.