Reply to Junior associate at Big Law -- help!

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]You are in a tough spot, OP. I just left biglaw to go in-house this year.  I had a 3 yo and 4 mos when I left.  I was dreading going back to work my entire maternity leave and so used that time to network like crazy.  That said, I was an 8th year in a specialized practice.  I haven't read all the responses here, but you need to make sure you are in a practice area that is marketable for in-house or government (i.e., I hope you're not a general litigator).  You need to start meeting with those people.  Also, 1800 billable for your first year at a firm is totally fine. You're not going to be groomed for partner but they will keep you around for a few years. Do not have your DH quit.  It doesn't sound like you LOVE your job regardless of the hours, and firms love to spit out 9th year associates that don't make partner.  And then what will your DH do? Presumably if that happens you will both need to be working.

I would say tough it out for 2-3 more years.  Don't kill yourself to make 2000 hours if you're not looking for partnership and you're okay forgoing bonus. Position yourself to specialize and network like crazy to make yourself marketable.  Apply for new job as a 5th year.  No reason to not contact a recruiter now though just so they have you on their radar.  Most of my friends that went in-house used Garrison & Sisson or got their job through networking. good luck. [/quote]

This. Stay out of general litigation and get some specialty experience.[/quote]

I echo this, but think that if you are in general litigation you can still do some things to make yourself more marketable in house.  Try as much as you can to get yourself staffed on certain areas of litigation that are more marketable.  Part of this is what you want to do, but moreso it is just being opportunistic and reacting to what is out there.  Employment litigation is usually a specialty that companies look to bring in house.  Products liability litigation can be marketable in the pharma industry.  Trademark litigation can be marketable to the right firms.  And any litigation related to health care can be marketable in that sector.  This is not an exhaustive list.  The point is, there are ways out of general litigation, if you think strategically.  [/quote]

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