Job Market for Lawyers

[Anonymous]

I am currently a practicing 7th year associate at a mid sized firm in Philadelphia. My husband was just offered a new position in DC and we will mostly likely be relocating in the next few months. I am just wondering about the current market for attorneys in DC right now and about how long it will take me to find a new position? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I would imagine it depends on what salary range you expect.

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for $120+

[Anonymous]

Will you need to pay for childcare out of that?

[Anonymous]

Yes, but my husband's new position pays well, so I'm not as worried about the salary, more just that I will be able to find something.

[Anonymous]

What's your specialty?

[Anonymous]

You are at a good point in your career to consider in-house, if you are so inclined, and Washington is a GREAT city for that with all our associations, tech companies in Va. and MoCounty, defense companies, etc.

Something to think about if your practice area matches up.

[Anonymous]

Commercial litigation, insurance coverage.

[Anonymous]

The law firm market is generally only "great" here if you went to a top school, because everyone from a top school seems to want to work here - the wall street for lawyers per se. If you went to an okay school, you might find a job with an "okay" firm but maybe not for $120. In-house would be your best option in that case, and it's my understanding that those jobs are very hard to come by unless, again, your resume is awesome like a top school or top firm or a firm known for the industry.

[Anonymous]

or if you know someone = bingo you are in wherever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The law firm market is generally only "great" here if you went to a top school, because everyone from a top school seems to want to work here - the wall street for lawyers per se. If you went to an okay school, you might find a job with an "okay" firm but maybe not for $120. In-house would be your best option in that case, and it's my understanding that those jobs are very hard to come by unless, again, your resume is awesome like a top school or top firm or a firm known for the industry.

School is rarely relevant as far out as the OP is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The law firm market is generally only "great" here if you went to a top school, because everyone from a top school seems to want to work here - the wall street for lawyers per se. If you went to an okay school, you might find a job with an "okay" firm but maybe not for $120. In-house would be your best option in that case, and it's my understanding that those jobs are very hard to come by unless, again, your resume is awesome like a top school or top firm or a firm known for the industry.

School is rarely relevant as far out as the OP is.

It is always relevant.

[Anonymous]

There is a good market for insurance coverage counsel in DC -- always is. But I think you would need to be interested in an of counsel position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you need to pay for childcare out of that?

Why are you asking that?

Any salary - OP's, her DH's, or any other parent's - will need to have childcare expenses factored in.

[Anonymous]

In a similar position as OP and similar (though not the same) practice area/class year. I have to imagine there is a decent mid-sized/small firm/boutique market in DC, yet whenever I talk to recruiters all I hear is "firms don't really hire at your level - we have an opening at Skadden though." I'm in Boston biglaw and not interested in going to another biglaw firm so senior because chances are they'd give me 1-2 yrs to make partner, I wouldn't, and then I'd be out. I'd rather transition straight to a mid/small firm which may not be "up and out." Any thoughts on how to even tap into that market? In a city like DC, it has to exist but I'm not even seeing postings on linkedin and any DC biglaw atty I talk to usually says "gee - I don't know, I have been at Gibson Dunn my whole life." Am I missing something?