Childish bitterness aside, I know that I have to pay my dues; but I am building a house I do not want to live in and I am tired of crying myself to sleep. We make the "firm decision" fresh out of our first year in law school. I knew nothing then.
Over the two years following that decision, my interest has grown in international trade, environmental law, antitrust and international litigation and arbitration. In fact, my firm accommodated those interests by providing me with a steady diet of made-up assignments for my 13-weeks summer with them.
Now I am interviewing again and the bedtime tears have ceased. Please advise on the best way to present myself and this career change.
Answer: OK, calm down. This situation can be easily remedied. However, in order for the remedy to be productive, you must be patient, not move too hastily and think about the kind of lawyer you really want to be.
The bottom line here is that you don't want to be a corporate associate. It is quite early in your career so you have not caused any harm at this point. But the problem here seems to be that you have no idea in which direction you should travel. You have told us that you are interested in international trade, environmental law, antitrust and international litigation and arbitration. Unfortunately, you probably are seeking a job that does not exist if you are looking for a department that will provide you with a combination of those diverse practice areas. The first thing you need to do is decide which is your #1 choice, #2 and so on.
For example, if you are interested in environmental law, I don't understand why you would want to be interviewing for a job within an international trade department. If you think you want to work on international litigation and arbitration, why would you be meeting with environmental partners for a job? You get my point.
By the way, no one has to pay their dues if those dues include crying yourself to sleep each night. What good is a career if it is going to kill you? The most productive people at a job are those that enjoy what they do. There should not only be enjoyment, but also an opportunity to grow and learn new things on the job. If all of these elements are nonexistent then it must be pretty damn hard to get up and go to work each day.
Since you seem very clear on the fact that you do not want to be a corporate lawyer, I am not going to suggest that you give it a few more months. The first thing you should do is sit and speak with an understanding ear at your firm. Perhaps it will be the hiring partner, the recruiting coordinator or maybe one of the partners or senior associates that you worked for during your 2L summer.
Let them know about your career goals and the departments in which you would like to practice. Since you summered there and also have impressive academics, it would seem to me that this firm would not want to lose you so early on.
What I don't understand is why the firm assigned you to the practice areas you enjoy during your summer job and then moved you over to corporate when you joined the firm as a permanent associate. Were you aware that this was going to happen? Did you speak with anyone at that time?
Well, it has been at least 5 months since you started at the firm so I suppose one could argue that you certainly have given this practice area a chance. I say "argue" because as a first-year associate, you really are not going to be running deals. Quite candidly, I am not sure that any of the clients of the firm are going to want a 5-month associate to do much more than photocopy, insert commas, collate, collect signatures, and harass opposing counsel for by-laws.
Do you really think that it will be that much different in a litigation or environmental law practice group? I am assuming that you have given all of this a good deal of thought before you bail out of this practice area.
Whether or not you have tried to switch departments at your present firm, it is clear that you want to join a different law firm. I don't think that figuring out how to best present yourself is going to be all that difficult. Hopefully they still like you at your current firm (obviously they did like you very much or they would not have made you an offer after your summer employment). Therefore, you will have good references.
Your reasons for wanting to leave your firm so early in your career are valid just as long as the opportunity to move into a different department did not exist at your current firm. If you could have made the switch at your current firm but were not offered that opportunity or did not accept the transfer, you are going to have to explain that situation candidly. However, if that opportunity was not available, it is quite clear why you are interviewing and I don't think that any interviewer will dwell on the subject.
The best advice I can give to you on the subject of presenting yourself is to make sure that you do not discuss all the different practice areas that are of interest to you. Do your homework prior to any interview and know what department you are going to meet. Then you will be able to focus your discussion on that particular practice area.
I started out this answer by advising you to not be hasty in your decision. So, before I close, let me caution you once again. Do not accept a job without really giving it a lot of thought. Make sure that this is truly the practice area that you want to join. You do not want to put yourself in a position where you realize five months from now that this is yet another kind of law in which you are not interested. Be selective and cautious because you need to hunker down and stay at this next firm for quite a while. Do your due diligence and make your decision based on knowledge, not emotion.
In the meantime, enjoy the interviewing process. It sounds as if just knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel is helping you tremendously, and that is ultimately going to help you in making a better presentation during your interviews. Best wishes and please let us know how things are going!
Please see this article to find out if litigation is right for you: Why Most Attorneys Have No Business Being Litigators: Fifteen Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Litigator
Summary: I am miserable at my present position in the corporate department of a mid-size New York City law firm. Please let me know how I can change practice areas.
See the following articles for more information:
- A Realistic Approach to Changing Practice Areas
- Is It Too Late to Switch Practice Areas?
- Changing Your Practice Area
About Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.
With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.
Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.
Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.
One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.
One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.
Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.
In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.
Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.
In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.
About BCG Attorney Search
BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.
Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
