Top Law Schools

Current summer. Have to choose a practice group at the end of the summer. My #2 choice is the busiest and largest group at the firm, my #1 choice is a smaller/specialist group. I'm debating choosing my #2 choice for job security reasons (slowing economy, upcoming possible recession etc.) Is this a dumb thing to do?

I don’t think it’s a dumb factor, but I’d warn you that the big groups are also the ones that are most likely to view junior and mid level associates as purely fungible.

NoLongerALurker wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:37 pm

I don’t think it’s a dumb factor, but I’d warn you that the big groups are also the ones that are most likely to view junior and mid level associates as purely fungible.

OP here. Good point - Do you think going into a small specialist group has more job security then?

Without knowledge of the specific practice areas, any proffered advice is worth about as much as you're paying for it.

Without more detailed information, my suggestion is to consider telling the firm that you would enjoy working in either practice area.

I think it's difficult to game this stuff. Too many unknowns. I feel like finance practices are a decent hedge because you should be able to slide into bankruptcy, if needed, but then you are stuck doing finance.

Do the group you prefer. We have no way of knowing, but hopefully you'll like it and get good at it, thus making yourself marketable.

If you pick a group that ends up being very slow, in my experience most firms will let you rotate into a busier group. I don’t think there’s downside to picking the one you prefer.

crazywafflez wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:00 pm

Do the group you prefer. We have no way of knowing, but hopefully you'll like it and get good at it, thus making yourself marketable.

Biglaw partner. Agree 100% with this. The best guarantee of job security is being really good at what you do, and it’s hard to do that if you have no real interest in your practice.