Anonymous wrote:I know literally a dozen section chiefs, deputy chiefs, and senior attorneys from DOJ who entered firms as partners. Also the head of enforcement at several agencies, which is below the gc level. Also the head of policy at some of them. Anyhow, I agree it's a tiny fraction of gov't attorneys who can do this, but it's a much bigger group of people than other posters are implying, and OP probably has some clue about his or her resume.

How many of them had law firm experience before they went to govt?

Similar to the PP, I know many SEC attorneys who moved from fed to either counsel or partner at a law firm. You may have to first go in as counsel, but if you do a good job and bring in some business you can be elevated to partner. I think it really depends on your experience and expertise as to whether you can make the jump. That being said - if you don't know people at firms, why not talk to a headhunter?

I know literally a dozen section chiefs, deputy chiefs, and senior attorneys from DOJ who entered firms as partners. Also the head of enforcement at several agencies, which is below the gc level. Also the head of policy at some of them. Anyhow, I agree it's a tiny fraction of gov't attorneys who can do this, but it's a much bigger group of people than other posters are implying, and OP probably has some clue about his or her resume.

The only people I know of who went directly to partnership from government were general counsels of agencies.

I realize you're being snarky, but firing an income partner and firing an equity partner work the same way (and the latter happens more and more these days).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the key distinction is if you're trying to be an equity partner or an income partner. At a firm with income partners, I'd say sure, you can make income partner with tons of experience and no book. Why do they care if they're not sharing a piece of the pie with you? It's not going to happen, however, at a firm with an equity-only partnership structure. You'll need a large book.

Income partner is not a partner. If you don't own equity, you are not a partner. Outside of law, income partners are called director ( big 4s).

That's not true in the law. They are still their own boss, pay their own benefits, etc. (at least at the firms in which I am familiar). They also have the same ethical and legal obligations to the business as equity partners. The are far more similar to equity partners than to any other class of employee, even if they don't have an equity interest.

Except when it comes time to fire them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the key distinction is if you're trying to be an equity partner or an income partner. At a firm with income partners, I'd say sure, you can make income partner with tons of experience and no book. Why do they care if they're not sharing a piece of the pie with you? It's not going to happen, however, at a firm with an equity-only partnership structure. You'll need a large book.

Income partner is not a partner. If you don't own equity, you are not a partner. Outside of law, income partners are called director ( big 4s).

That's not true in the law. They are still their own boss, pay their own benefits, etc. (at least at the firms in which I am familiar). They also have the same ethical and legal obligations to the business as equity partners. The are far more similar to equity partners than to any other class of employee, even if they don't have an equity interest.

Anonymous wrote:I think the key distinction is if you're trying to be an equity partner or an income partner. At a firm with income partners, I'd say sure, you can make income partner with tons of experience and no book. Why do they care if they're not sharing a piece of the pie with you? It's not going to happen, however, at a firm with an equity-only partnership structure. You'll need a large book.

Income partner is not a partner. If you don't own equity, you are not a partner. Outside of law, income partners are called director ( big 4s).

Y'all are being idiots. You have no idea what position OP has. I know dozens of senior lawyers who have moved from government directly into partnerships in the past decade. None of them were senators or judges.

As for whether you need a headhunter, OP, I'm not certain but you may be overestimating the downside to having one. Most firms build the cost of headhunters into their budget, so if you're concerned its going to make you less attractive anywhere, I don't think that's a major worry.

I think the key distinction is if you're trying to be an equity partner or an income partner. At a firm with income partners, I'd say sure, you can make income partner with tons of experience and no book. Why do they care if they're not sharing a piece of the pie with you? It's not going to happen, however, at a firm with an equity-only partnership structure. You'll need a large book.

I agree with PP. The only people I know who go from Fed to partner either have an "Honorable" in front of their name or had to be confirmed by the Senate and have a unique specialty. That said, contacting a few headhunters wouldnt hurt...although the generally come to you when they have a position to fill.

HaHaHa. I mean that in a cynical way, not in the laughing at you way. Grizzled lawyer here. Agree with the PP that the ONLY thing that matters is your book of business. Unless you are "leaving government" as, say, a Senator, Chairman of a Committee (or that person's right hand person), you won't be starting as partner anywhere.
Law is a cutthroat biz these days.

Do you have any law firm experience at all? At my old firm they were very sceptical about taking people on who had never been in a firm, and I know very senior govt people who have been told they need a large book of business to be made partner (which of course is next to impossible to have coming from govt).

Of course it does happen, but I think it's tougher-- either you go to a smaller firm, or you have to be a bigger big wig, etc.

Can you generate business? That's all that matters if you want to be a partner.

Put another way, must I have a headhunter if I want to land a partnership straight from my fed position? I have a title and tons of experience if that matters.