03-11-2009, 05:32 PM | #1 |
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Location: Southern California
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Attorney Networking Ideas?
A couple of years out of law school, I was just let go (non-performance based) as part of massive lay-offs at a top firm in Southern California. I was mainly doing corporate finance and securities work, although I have pretty well rounded experience. Because it was slow, I picked up some good litigation experience in the last year.
So I am soliciting advice on career moves from some of you other attorneys. Should I: 1. Attempt to re-brand myself as a litigation guy and aim at, e.g. IP litigation jobs that appear to be out there; 2. Concentrate on in-house jobs, despite being just a few years out of school; 3. Take my severance and travel until the legal market turns around; 4. Move to Asia to conduct a job search -- where I have 5 years' experience and a language advantage; 5. Look for stop-gap non-legal jobs; 6. Look for a legal staffing job; 7. Find a mom-and-pop litigation shop; 8. Start my own firm with a few friends? At the moment my job strategy could best be described as carpet-bombing "acc jobline" and other job search board listings, combined with having headhunters on the ground in Asia, Texas, Northern and Southern California. My real weakpoint seems to be networking -- which according to the outplacement service the firm is sponsoring is the most important part of my search. I have let family and friends know that I am looking, flexible and willing to relocate almost anywhere. But I'm not sure how best to tackle networking. Ideas? |
03-11-2009, 05:48 PM | #2 | |
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03-11-2009, 06:11 PM | #3 | |
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If you were at a top firm, you may be able to find something at a top regional firm out of California. In house is always a possibility but hit and miss, and California corporations aren't hiring much at the moment for in house. |
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03-11-2009, 08:45 PM | #4 | |
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I was at a top firm -- and I have been applying to a number of regional or even small market firms throughout the West. How do I find the right relationships in Denver, Portland, Phoenix, etc.? I.e., Right now I'm just a resume on a desk in those places. Other than "survive", I would like to do transactional work: M&A and corporate finance. In Texas, energy companies and a few firms doing energy work seem to be hiring still -- and I have done lots of energy work. So, I am exploring there, with a hope to stay on the transactional side. Mid-market M&A is picking up. |
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03-11-2009, 08:59 PM | #5 |
Demiurge
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Holy crap, if this piece o' crap website is one of your best networking opportunities, you are not doing well!
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03-11-2009, 09:30 PM | #6 | |
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03-12-2009, 12:01 AM | #7 | |
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But don't let that stop you from voting on my fate. Maybe I'll go ski in New Zealand for a few months. |
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06-20-2009, 10:45 AM | #9 | |
Demiurge
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06-20-2009, 02:53 PM | #10 |
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