Thread #34441093
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How do I progress my career as a junior lawyer?
I am a lawyer working in a very niche commercial law area, and I am fearful that I have pigeonholed myself into a career that does not have upward mobility. How can I more effectively apply for jobs at top tier firms and transition my career?
I have all the credentials, I have billed over $700,000 in the last year, I excel at upselling clients, and I am very personable.
Despite these factors, I am stressing that my career is dead in the water. The firm I work at pays almost minimum wage, and I want to improve my situation. All my applications are met with auto-rejections, offers of low pay, being told I am over-qualified, or being told that I am too junior in my career to make the jump to greener grass.
Background:
I have a Liberal Arts undergrad (double majored in legal studies and journalism), a Law degree, and relevant post-graduate studies.
I interned for three years at a mid-tier commercial firm that effectively no longer exists, completed three short contract stints as a paralegal (2 - 6 months at three different firms. Multinational NGO, boutique commercial firm, and a criminal firm). I learned a lot at each of these, getting courtroom experience, flying into and out of other sates for work, and learning the basics. I was made redundant at two when they could not afford to retain any juniors, and the third did not have the financial capabilities to extend my contract.
I now also have a little over a year at my current firm. I enjoy the work, however, I am fearful that given how niche it is I might not be growing my career. It is commercial law but a very niche aspect of it.
What should I do?
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Ok so by the sounds of it, either you need to sell yourself better or move out of your city. I work in the operations end of a law firm and lawyers are sliding around constantly.
In the fields of law that I do have exposure to, these lawyers are basically wework contractors. Some bring clients with them from other law firms, some take clients when they leave. They basically slide around desk hoping.
Settling down to a single law firm usually comes from people that articled at that place. Otherwise, if you do bill as much as you say you do - you're underselling yourself.
Look at what you excel at and talk to these firms in person. IDGAF about online - these firms are network'd nepo old school dens. In person does work still. Or go in counsel to one of your clients.
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>>34441470
Ironically enough, one of the reasons the firm I am currently at is successful is because they do not use any AI. The client-base values interacting with real people and knowing no AI will be utilised in the production of their documents.
In all seriousness though, I have nothing against AI and think that it can be utilised effectively, it is just a struggle when this firm's distinguishing factor is that they do not utilise it.
>>34441387
Do you have any skills in mind? I think that my experience in journalism allows me to speak with clients, convey information, and understand their position in a way that a lot of lawyer struggle with, but I'd love to develop more skills too.
>>34441404
I live in one of the largest cities in my country, but you might be right that a fresh start would help.
How do they take the clients to a new firm without getting sued into oblivion by their previous employer? I'd love to learn that skill.
>Otherwise, if you do bill as much as you say you do - you're underselling yourself.
Sadly I am unsure if the level I bill at here would be transferrable to any other form of law. I do not know what it is about this area exactly, but I find it incredibly easy and intuitive. Other areas I was struggling to hit even 5.5 billable hours per day (although I did have less overall experience back then).
>talk to these firms in person
Excuse the ignorance, but how do you arrange this?