Is Corporate Law worth it?

cartera45
Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:56:51 +0000

Transitioning from biglaw to IBanking is not within my area of expertise, so I’ll have to leave that to others. The salary range for government/non-profit attorneys is much too wide for me to comment on also. If you wanted to follow that path, however, it is very important to prepare by saving and not living at or above your means while working with at large firm.

Yes, there are many more biglaw associates who want to go in house than there are jobs for them. In the current economy, employers are much more forgiving about hiring unemployed attorneys. In the past, it could be the kiss of death. It is so common to be laid off now, that it has lost much of its stigma. I still recommend that an associate not leave the current job, if possible, while looking. If your goal is to move in house, then typically more experience is necessary than if you want to make a lateral move to another firm. I’d say you want to start looking in the 4-8 yr range. If you want to make a lateral move to another law firm, the prime time is 2-4 yrs out. Most very sought after, upper level in house jobs require a mix of law firm and in house experience, so if preparing to go in at a senior counsel, assistant/associate GC level, then plan to spend a few years with a prominent firm, followed by a few years in house. Then you are better positioned to move to another company if that is necessary in order to move up through the ranks.