2-4 years litigation experience... still apply?

[Anonymous]

I am 5 years out of law firm, did 2 years gov't agency and now going on 4 years in house. have never seen the inside of a courtroom but there is a job they needs an attorney with my exact regulatory experience needed. still apply?

[Anonymous]

In house or firm?

[Anonymous]

Why not still apply? What have you got to lose?

[Anonymous]

What's the downside?

[Anonymous]

big firm. its a long shot and if it'll be an automatic ding I don't want to bother.

[Anonymous]

Depending on the exact area, lateral market is a little thin lately from what people within my firm are saying. Some firms/partners are quite willing to train someone with partial knowledge/transferrable skills. You won't necessarily know that unless you're working with a recruiter though, who has that inside scoop, so I don't think it's possible to know if it'll be an automatic ding. When I lateraled I got little response from positions with direct overlap but had more luck with positions just a bit to the side of what I was doing.

[Anonymous]

Also if big firm, 2 years lit experience at a big firm generally does not equal courtroom experience or exposure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:big firm. its a long shot and if it'll be an automatic ding I don't want to bother.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't bother. It takes all of 45 minutes to send out a good job-tailored application (if you already have a resume and cover letter in the works), and the more you apply the more you'll have the application resources to use in the future. By keeping my previous job applications organized, I am always able to find a strong template for future applications.

[Anonymous]

I would apply!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also if big firm, 2 years lit experience at a big firm generally does not equal courtroom experience or exposure.

+100. Litigation for a 2nd - 4th year in Biglaw usually means summarizing depos, making hot docs binders, and drafting discovery letters.