Finding the Right Practice Group Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hello All,

I graduated law school a few years ago and have been lucky enough to work in biglaw and clerk. I’m fairly junior, but what I’ve learned is that I just do not enjoy doing a ton of legal research or writing. I’ve enjoyed the “off paper” parts of law much more. I’ve participated in trials, depositions, and negotiations with OC. Moving forward, I want to stay on the civil side, but I have little desire to have a career where I’m spending my nights cranking out summary judgment motions, etc.

Can you all share what areas of law would allow me to avoid some of the heavy research/writing aspect? As soon as I get my loans under control, I’d want to pursue that. Even if it’s not necessarily biglaw.

[Anonymous User]

All lit practice groups will require a fair bit of writing and research, especially on the civil side. If you like in-courtroom work, your best bet is to become a public defender. If you want to stay in biglaw, investigations work will be your best bet to avoid legal research, but research and writing will still come up, and opportunities to do the in-courtroom stuff you like will be rare.

[Anonymous User]

Much more common on the criminal side than on the civil side. If I had your preferences I might consider plaintiff-side personal injury or employment litigation. You would likely be competitive for the very top firms in those areas—e.g. Wigdor, one of the leading #MeToo firms, recruits clerks. And they can obviously be very lucrative if you’re good.

[Anonymous User]

Hello All,

I graduated law school a few years ago and have been lucky enough to work in biglaw and clerk. I’m fairly junior, but what I’ve learned is that I just do not enjoy doing a ton of legal research or writing. I’ve enjoyed the “off paper” parts of law much more. I’ve participated in trials, depositions, and negotiations with OC. Moving forward, I want to stay on the civil side, but I have little desire to have a career where I’m spending my nights cranking out summary judgment motions, etc.

Can you all share what areas of law would allow me to avoid some of the heavy research/writing aspect? As soon as I get my loans under control, I’d want to pursue that. Even if it’s not necessarily biglaw.

This is the exact opposite of me! I love how different people are. For me, the more writing and less off-paper parts of law the better.