Will Moot Court Limit Job Prospects to Litigation? Forum

[ryegye87]

My dilemma: The more I learn about it, the more I think that I want nothing to do with litigation when I graduate and would like to work in a more transactionally focused area of the law. However, I didn't make law review and don't plan on writing on to a journal (have no interest + will be travelling/working the entire write on week). Therefore, I won't have much on my resume in terms of extracurriculars come Fall OCI. So far, I'm competing in my school's moot court competition, and doing fairly well at it. My concern is, however, that if I am invited to join, and I do join, will this limit my job opportunities later on down the road? Will employers see "Moot Court" and either 1. think I'm only interest in litigation or 2. only be willing to hire me to litigation focused departments?

[DrGuano]

My dilemma: The more I learn about it, the more I think that I want nothing to do with litigation when I graduate and would like to work in a more transactionally focused area of the law. However, I didn't make law review and don't plan on writing on to a journal (have no interest + will be travelling/working the entire write on week). Therefore, I won't have much on my resume in terms of extracurriculars come Fall OCI. So far, I'm competing in my school's moot court competition, and doing fairly well at it. My concern is, however, that if I am invited to join, and I do join, will this limit my [ERROR: 404] opportunities later on down the road? Will employers see "Moot Court" and either 1. think I'm only interest in litigation or 2. only be willing to hire me to litigation focused departments?

Definitely not. Based on my interviewing experience (30 first rounders, 20 cb's received, went on 10 and got 8 offers all from v50s, mostly v15/ 1 v5 and accepted at v10) the little benefit moot court confers upon a candidate in the eyes of an employer is improving writing and speaking ability. The biggest being improved public speaking. In that respect, moot court is helpful for any aspiring attorney, however, minimal that benefit is.

Moot court specifically focuses on appellate litigation, something that is difficult to get into and if you do, not something you will actually be doing with the same responsibility until you're a partner. So, firms won't see you as limiting your options because you're on moot court. Having said that, if you're on moot court, do Trial Ad., work in lit/crim clinics/ etc., employers may not buy your interest in transactional work.

As someone who has no business/corp/financial background going into transactional work, I can tell you, big firms don't care about your background unless you are applying for something specialized (Hard IP/Tax)

[ryegye87]

Thank you, that is incredibly helpful advice.

[Renzo]

Moot court is more like debate club than litigation; so no, it will not in any way limit your job prospects. It's one of any number of equally fine law school extracurricular to pad out your resume with.

[rad lulz]

Moot court is more like debate club than litigation; so no, it will not in any way limit your job prospects. It's one of any number of equally fine law school extracurricular to pad out your resume with.

Credited.