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2nd year Commercial Litigator in a small market here (think Tucson, El Paso) at a decent firm in the market- I was wondering, if anyone knows how to jump into doing some criminal defense work? I plan on doing some pro bono stuff, but wanted to know if it's possible to balance and transition to doing more criminal stuff? My firm has nobody who does criminal work so I can't really get any help on that front. Any recommendations and is this kind of thing even possible?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:22 pm

2nd year Commercial Litigator in a small market here (think Tucson, El Paso) at a decent firm in the market- I was wondering, if anyone knows how to jump into doing some criminal defense work? I plan on doing some pro bono stuff, but wanted to know if it's possible to balance and transition to doing more criminal stuff? My firm has nobody who does criminal work so I can't really get any help on that front. Any recommendations and is this kind of thing even possible?

Really hard to get into crime if you’re working at someone else’s civil litigation shop. Probably the easiest way is to start your own firm and take court appointed work while building up both practices at the same time.

Not something most people want to do but it can be done.

The best way is probably to lateral to a firm with a white-collar practice and/or attorneys who are on the CJA panel who can teach you the ropes while you simultaneously do civil work. I wouldn't want to rep criminal clients without experience or a partner overseeing my work. It sounds like a good way to commit malpractice and/or render ineffective assistance.

I'd start by figuring out who the local CJA panel attorneys are and asking to get lunch or whatever. The white-collar bars in non-major markets are small--my state's is like ten partners--but the top ones make really good money.