Staff Attorney position to "break into" US market? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Seeking advice as I don't have precedents around me to refer to. Lower T14 K-JD grad; started in a large firm's European office and was there for 4 years. Moved back to the US about 4 months ago for personal reasons. Have submitted ~20 applications for associate positions (60% big firms and 40% mid-sized firms) but have only got three interviews and no offer so far This honestly doesn't come as a total surprise due to my lack of U.S. experience. I am considering taking a staff attorney position in the relevant field with a big firm and then seeking to move to other firms (preferably mid-sized firms because I am not a fan of big law in general) as an associate in 1-2 years. I am financially secure for now and salary isn't a primary concern. However, I've noticed quite a few posts warning about staff attorney positions. Will this really damage my long-term career?

[BrowsingTLS]

So firms are interviewing you for associate positions, meaning if you apply to enough you'll eventually have a job, but because you haven't gotten an offer yet you plan to become a staff attorney and hope that a firm will make you an associate afterward. Is that right?

[Wubbles]

Same thoughts as above. Getting interviewed for 3 of 20 applications is a really solid clip and likely the only difference between a job and no job is volume of applications, not associate vs. staff attorney. Not sure if you are locked into a particular practice or city that's limiting applications, but if possible I would suggest expanding those criteria before going with staff attorney.

[Anonymous User]

OP here - thanks folks for the feedback! Yes being promoted to an associate by the same big firm is an ideal scenario but tbh I am not counting on it as I have been warned about how slim/unpredictable the chances may be. I am probably more thinking of moving to another smaller firm as an associate in two years or so.

I primarily do finance work - not a niche area but my previous experience overseas doesn’t translate smoothly into the U.S. due to different product types, market practices etc. Hence I am having difficulty landing an associate position.

[Anonymous User]

Finance is busy enough that you should be getting associate nibbles, maaaaybe asked to take a haircut due to diff experience. Are you applying enough? Just plaster resume and pester your old classmates, they will be happy to refer you and get a referral bonus.

If you post with username I'll pm you, I know my firm is looking.

[Wubbles]

Yeah, even if not completely transferable, if you offer a class year haircut upfront you should get some traction in finance (lots of even 1st and 2nd postings for finance right now). This should be an easier path to being an associate, and as a staff attorney if you somehow managed to become an associate they would trim your class year possibly all the way to 1st year anyways.