Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for firms that do good work and are highly regarded in the local community. As opposed to national, white shoe firms or vault 100 firms. I just wanted to learn about the local legal market, but if you need a practice area: I'm interested in DC administrative law, practice before local commissions and boards, OAH, administrative law, criminal and employment law, as well as firms that do local lobbying.

That is quite a range. Are you just interested in those areas, or do you have experience in any of them?

Anonymous wrote:There are very few "local" firms in DC. The kind of hometown homespun firm you are looking for really does not exist here.

There are a few but they are small. I suggested some of the suburban firms earlier -that may be a better fit with what OP described.

There are very few "local" firms in DC. The kind of hometown homespun firm you are looking for really does not exist here.

IMO/IME you have to have both a marketable niche/expertise and a book of business or the likelihood of developing one within 2-3 yrs.

Just being good at what you do, even excellent, is -- unfortunately -- not enough in many cases.

I appreciate the comments so far.

I'm looking for firms that do good work and are highly regarded in the local community. As opposed to national, white shoe firms or vault 100 firms. I just wanted to learn about the local legal market, but if you need a practice area: I'm interested in DC administrative law, practice before local commissions and boards, OAH, administrative law, criminal and employment law, as well as firms that do local lobbying.

OP are you talking about local firms who have national client bases or real local firms who are working with small and medium size DC businesses? And DC or DC area? There are local firms in MD and VA that you might want to consider as well, depending on the area of practice. Your best bet for a real local practice is probably family law, real estate and litigation. Maybe Lerch Early in Bethesda? Blankingship & Keith in VA? You need to be a lot more focused in your search.

Anonymous wrote:What is a service partner?

Partner with little to no book or business. Does work for other partners with large book of business. Works best for those with a complicated niche practice like tax or erisa.

What is a service partner?

Not sure if you've done much exploring in the possibilities, but private sector law for attorneys with experience is more about business generation - and it's tougher at local smaller law firms who don't have the luxury to bring in a service partner, say, because they were a big shot at Justice and pay a high salary.

I say this because I think depending on your area of practice and years out, you may find it difficult to get in with a local law firm.

Good reputation in terms of what?
They do good work or are highly regarded? (many)
Good quality of life (no big firms, maybe no medium ones)
What type of law?

I'm interested in moving to the private sector and practicing local DC law. What are some local law firms with good reputations, regardless of their focus area.