Route to PI lawyer Forum

[Anonymous User]

My end game for after law school is hopefully starting a firm and doing PI + maybe some criminal defense or something. Is it best to do insurance defense before doing PI eventually? Or just any job to save up before starting your own firm? I don't really think I'd enjoy doing the defense side in civil cases, but if it's all that helpful I'd consider it.

Also, is there that much difference in likelihood of success in PI in one state vs. another? Florida, e.g., seems to be viewed as a really plaintiff-friendly state with a big population and there's no med mal tort reform/judgment limits, but there's also a ton of PI firms in Florida and advertising and I would think it would be difficult to get your firm noticed in that deluge of ads. Can one be just as successful in a state with some tort reform?

[Lacepiece23]

My end game for after law school is hopefully starting a firm and doing PI + maybe some criminal defense or something. Is it best to do insurance defense before doing PI eventually? Or just any job to save up before starting your own firm? I don't really think I'd enjoy doing the defense side in civil cases, but if it's all that helpful I'd consider it.

Also, is there that much difference in likelihood of success in PI in one state vs. another? Florida, e.g., seems to be viewed as a really plaintiff-friendly state with a big population and there's no med mal tort reform/judgment limits, but there's also a ton of PI firms in Florida and advertising and I would think it would be difficult to get your firm noticed in that deluge of ads. Can one be just as successful in a state with some tort reform?

I’m a plaintiffs employment lawyer. I started out in biglaw and have been on my own for two years. Things have gone okay. Some large highs and lows. Sometimes they happen at once.

I’d say do it as soon as you learn how to litigate a case, particularly PI, and open your shop.

I’d probably opt for like Philly or Orlando or somewhere plaintiffs friendly because once you’re like ten years in, you can get legit rich. Maybe not so much in a tort reform state.

Good luck. And take a look at the Maximum Lawyer group. You’re asking these questions in the wrong place.

[Anonymous User]

My end game for after law school is hopefully starting a firm and doing PI + maybe some criminal defense or something. Is it best to do insurance defense before doing PI eventually? Or just any job to save up before starting your own firm? I don't really think I'd enjoy doing the defense side in civil cases, but if it's all that helpful I'd consider it.

Also, is there that much difference in likelihood of success in PI in one state vs. another? Florida, e.g., seems to be viewed as a really plaintiff-friendly state with a big population and there's no med mal tort reform/judgment limits, but there's also a ton of PI firms in Florida and advertising and I would think it would be difficult to get your firm noticed in that deluge of ads. Can one be just as successful in a state with some tort reform?

I’m a plaintiffs employment lawyer. I started out in biglaw and have been on my own for two years. Things have gone okay. Some large highs and lows. Sometimes they happen at once.

I’d say do it as soon as you learn how to litigate a case, particularly PI, and open your shop.

I’d probably opt for like Philly or Orlando or somewhere plaintiffs friendly because once you’re like ten years in, you can get legit rich. Maybe not so much in a tort reform state.

Good luck. And take a look at the Maximum Lawyer group. You’re asking these questions in the wrong place.

How did you get experience in litigating cases in biglaw??

[crouton62]

My end game for after law school is hopefully starting a firm and doing PI + maybe some criminal defense or something. Is it best to do insurance defense before doing PI eventually? Or just any job to save up before starting your own firm? I don't really think I'd enjoy doing the defense side in civil cases, but if it's all that helpful I'd consider it.

Also, is there that much difference in likelihood of success in PI in one state vs. another? Florida, e.g., seems to be viewed as a really plaintiff-friendly state with a big population and there's no med mal tort reform/judgment limits, but there's also a ton of PI firms in Florida and advertising and I would think it would be difficult to get your firm noticed in that deluge of ads. Can one be just as successful in a state with some tort reform?

I’m a plaintiffs employment lawyer. I started out in biglaw and have been on my own for two years. Things have gone okay. Some large highs and lows. Sometimes they happen at once.

I’d say do it as soon as you learn how to litigate a case, particularly PI, and open your shop.

I’d probably opt for like Philly or Orlando or somewhere plaintiffs friendly because once you’re like ten years in, you can get legit rich. Maybe not so much in a tort reform state.

Good luck. And take a look at the Maximum Lawyer group. You’re asking these questions in the wrong place.

How did you get experience in litigating cases in biglaw??

With your goals, starting in BigLaw doesn't make sense, even with the higher salary. What you need is some actual experience before you go do your own thing. I worked in insurance defense early in my career before I left for BigLaw and had many colleagues there who left to do PI (either at their own shop or with other lawyers) and have another close friend who owns his own PI shop who also started out in insurance defense. All the ones who I talked to about it say they are very glad they did their time in insurance defense before doing PI. They didn't love working for the insurance companies either, but they are now glad they did.

At most ID shops, you will be taking depos and drafting whole motions within your first year and handling court appearances not too soon thereafter. Why not get that training and experience on someone else's dime? I wouldn't want my first time deposing an expert or arguing a critical motion to compel to be in a case where it's my money on the line. While I think some ID lawyers turned PI lawyers overplay the bit that their time in ID taught them the insurance companies' playbook, there is a lot of truth to that, too. Dealing with the adjusters everyday for a few years will give you insight into how they value cases/what really concerns them and causes them to be more willing to put up serious money. If you ever want to do med mal, learning how the hospitals maintain and save records when you're defending them is also very helpful.

The first few years of practice where you're learning how to actually practice law are stressful enough as it is. Don't add the stress of owning and managing your own business to that right off the bat as you're learning how to be a lawyer. Really cannot recommend strongly enough that you put in at least 2 years in ID before opening up your own PI shop. Salary won't be great but just be as frugal as you can and save as much as you can for your nest egg for when you start your firm. That foundation will pay big dividends for you.

[Lacepiece23]

My end game for after law school is hopefully starting a firm and doing PI + maybe some criminal defense or something. Is it best to do insurance defense before doing PI eventually? Or just any job to save up before starting your own firm? I don't really think I'd enjoy doing the defense side in civil cases, but if it's all that helpful I'd consider it.

Also, is there that much difference in likelihood of success in PI in one state vs. another? Florida, e.g., seems to be viewed as a really plaintiff-friendly state with a big population and there's no med mal tort reform/judgment limits, but there's also a ton of PI firms in Florida and advertising and I would think it would be difficult to get your firm noticed in that deluge of ads. Can one be just as successful in a state with some tort reform?

I’m a plaintiffs employment lawyer. I started out in biglaw and have been on my own for two years. Things have gone okay. Some large highs and lows. Sometimes they happen at once.

I’d say do it as soon as you learn how to litigate a case, particularly PI, and open your shop.

I’d probably opt for like Philly or Orlando or somewhere plaintiffs friendly because once you’re like ten years in, you can get legit rich. Maybe not so much in a tort reform state.

Good luck. And take a look at the Maximum Lawyer group. You’re asking these questions in the wrong place.

How did you get experience in litigating cases in biglaw??

With your goals, starting in BigLaw doesn't make sense, even with the higher salary. What you need is some actual experience before you go do your own thing. I worked in insurance defense early in my career before I left for BigLaw and had many colleagues there who left to do PI (either at their own shop or with other lawyers) and have another close friend who owns his own PI shop who also started out in insurance defense. All the ones who I talked to about it say they are very glad they did their time in insurance defense before doing PI. They didn't love working for the insurance companies either, but they are now glad they did.

At most ID shops, you will be taking depos and drafting whole motions within your first year and handling court appearances not too soon thereafter. Why not get that training and experience on someone else's dime? I wouldn't want my first time deposing an expert or arguing a critical motion to compel to be in a case where it's my money on the line. While I think some ID lawyers turned PI lawyers overplay the bit that their time in ID taught them the insurance companies' playbook, there is a lot of truth to that, too. Dealing with the adjusters everyday for a few years will give you insight into how they value cases/what really concerns them and causes them to be more willing to put up serious money. If you ever want to do med mal, learning how the hospitals maintain and save records when you're defending them is also very helpful.

The first few years of practice where you're learning how to actually practice law are stressful enough as it is. Don't add the stress of owning and managing your own business to that right off the bat as you're learning how to be a lawyer. Really cannot recommend strongly enough that you put in at least 2 years in ID before opening up your own PI shop. Salary won't be great but just be as frugal as you can and save as much as you can for your nest egg for when you start your firm. That foundation will pay big dividends for you.

I agree with all of this. I was in biglaw for about five years, clerked, and my practice in federal court. My skills were pretty transferable. I’d like to do PI now but I have no idea how the pre lit game works. I’m sure I could figure it out but it would be a learning curve.

[Anonymous User]

My end game for after law school is hopefully starting a firm and doing PI + maybe some criminal defense or something. Is it best to do insurance defense before doing PI eventually? Or just any job to save up before starting your own firm? I don't really think I'd enjoy doing the defense side in civil cases, but if it's all that helpful I'd consider it.

Also, is there that much difference in likelihood of success in PI in one state vs. another? Florida, e.g., seems to be viewed as a really plaintiff-friendly state with a big population and there's no med mal tort reform/judgment limits, but there's also a ton of PI firms in Florida and advertising and I would think it would be difficult to get your firm noticed in that deluge of ads. Can one be just as successful in a state with some tort reform?

I’m a plaintiffs employment lawyer. I started out in biglaw and have been on my own for two years. Things have gone okay. Some large highs and lows. Sometimes they happen at once.

I’d say do it as soon as you learn how to litigate a case, particularly PI, and open your shop.

I’d probably opt for like Philly or Orlando or somewhere plaintiffs friendly because once you’re like ten years in, you can get legit rich. Maybe not so much in a tort reform state.

Good luck. And take a look at the Maximum Lawyer group. You’re asking these questions in the wrong place.

How did you get experience in litigating cases in biglaw??

With your goals, starting in BigLaw doesn't make sense, even with the higher salary. What you need is some actual experience before you go do your own thing. I worked in insurance defense early in my career before I left for BigLaw and had many colleagues there who left to do PI (either at their own shop or with other lawyers) and have another close friend who owns his own PI shop who also started out in insurance defense. All the ones who I talked to about it say they are very glad they did their time in insurance defense before doing PI. They didn't love working for the insurance companies either, but they are now glad they did.

At most ID shops, you will be taking depos and drafting whole motions within your first year and handling court appearances not too soon thereafter. Why not get that training and experience on someone else's dime? I wouldn't want my first time deposing an expert or arguing a critical motion to compel to be in a case where it's my money on the line. While I think some ID lawyers turned PI lawyers overplay the bit that their time in ID taught them the insurance companies' playbook, there is a lot of truth to that, too. Dealing with the adjusters everyday for a few years will give you insight into how they value cases/what really concerns them and causes them to be more willing to put up serious money. If you ever want to do med mal, learning how the hospitals maintain and save records when you're defending them is also very helpful.

The first few years of practice where you're learning how to actually practice law are stressful enough as it is. Don't add the stress of owning and managing your own business to that right off the bat as you're learning how to be a lawyer. Really cannot recommend strongly enough that you put in at least 2 years in ID before opening up your own PI shop. Salary won't be great but just be as frugal as you can and save as much as you can for your nest egg for when you start your firm. That foundation will pay big dividends for you.

I agree with all of this. I was in biglaw for about five years, clerked, and my practice in federal court. My skills were pretty transferable. I’d like to do PI now but I have no idea how the pre lit game works. I’m sure I could figure it out but it would be a learning curve.

Thanks for this, guys. This is quite helpful. The first anonymous reply wasn't me, the actual OP. I will look into ID more, and I agree that putting pressure on myself to be successful in PI right out of the gate, or to own my own firm, probably would be a bad strategy. It's the long-term dream/goal, but I should probably bide my time and save first.

[Anonymous User]

My end game for after law school is hopefully starting a firm and doing PI + maybe some criminal defense or something. Is it best to do insurance defense before doing PI eventually? Or just any job to save up before starting your own firm? I don't really think I'd enjoy doing the defense side in civil cases, but if it's all that helpful I'd consider it.

Also, is there that much difference in likelihood of success in PI in one state vs. another? Florida, e.g., seems to be viewed as a really plaintiff-friendly state with a big population and there's no med mal tort reform/judgment limits, but there's also a ton of PI firms in Florida and advertising and I would think it would be difficult to get your firm noticed in that deluge of ads. Can one be just as successful in a state with some tort reform?

I’m a plaintiffs employment lawyer. I started out in biglaw and have been on my own for two years. Things have gone okay. Some large highs and lows. Sometimes they happen at once.

I’d say do it as soon as you learn how to litigate a case, particularly PI, and open your shop.

I’d probably opt for like Philly or Orlando or somewhere plaintiffs friendly because once you’re like ten years in, you can get legit rich. Maybe not so much in a tort reform state.

Good luck. And take a look at the Maximum Lawyer group. You’re asking these questions in the wrong place.

How did you get experience in litigating cases in biglaw??

With your goals, starting in BigLaw doesn't make sense, even with the higher salary. What you need is some actual experience before you go do your own thing. I worked in insurance defense early in my career before I left for BigLaw and had many colleagues there who left to do PI (either at their own shop or with other lawyers) and have another close friend who owns his own PI shop who also started out in insurance defense. All the ones who I talked to about it say they are very glad they did their time in insurance defense before doing PI. They didn't love working for the insurance companies either, but they are now glad they did.

At most ID shops, you will be taking depos and drafting whole motions within your first year and handling court appearances not too soon thereafter. Why not get that training and experience on someone else's dime? I wouldn't want my first time deposing an expert or arguing a critical motion to compel to be in a case where it's my money on the line. While I think some ID lawyers turned PI lawyers overplay the bit that their time in ID taught them the insurance companies' playbook, there is a lot of truth to that, too. Dealing with the adjusters everyday for a few years will give you insight into how they value cases/what really concerns them and causes them to be more willing to put up serious money. If you ever want to do med mal, learning how the hospitals maintain and save records when you're defending them is also very helpful.

The first few years of practice where you're learning how to actually practice law are stressful enough as it is. Don't add the stress of owning and managing your own business to that right off the bat as you're learning how to be a lawyer. Really cannot recommend strongly enough that you put in at least 2 years in ID before opening up your own PI shop. Salary won't be great but just be as frugal as you can and save as much as you can for your nest egg for when you start your firm. That foundation will pay big dividends for you.

I agree with all of this. I was in biglaw for about five years, clerked, and my practice in federal court. My skills were pretty transferable. I’d like to do PI now but I have no idea how the pre lit game works. I’m sure I could figure it out but it would be a learning curve.

How much money should one have realistically saved up before they consider making the jump to start their own PI firm?