I think there are boutique firms that are fairly specialized (e.g., energy, or tax, or even appellate). Often they seem to be started by couple of partners who had one or two big clients to start, and they slowly grow. Maybe they just don't bother paying recruiter's fees, or maybe that was true 5-10 years ago and not so much anymore.

OP, relocated to DC as a 5th-year attorney (am now a 7th year). I couldn't waive into VA without moving and working there, but I think there might be an exception if you have more than 5 years of experience. As far as your question, I went from a mid-sized firm to BigLaw, which has sucked except the paycheck. I looked hard for mid-level firms in my speciality (employment law), but I didn't find much out here (more in the Baltimore area). I don't know how the market is now, but I had 2 government offers, a BigLaw offer, and a regional firm offer in 2011. Good luck!

Yes, you cannot waive into VA without evidence of a full time job and some number of years experience in another jurisdiction. I can't recall the number of years, maybe 5.

I'm not 100% positive on this, but I think you have to work in VA to waive into VA. (Anyone know?)

Anonymous wrote:I am planning to waive in to both the DC and VA bars. I don't have reciprocity with Maryland. Any opinions on whether employers will require a Maryland bar membership?

If you are working in DC or VA they will not require MD.

I am planning to waive in to both the DC and VA bars. I don't have reciprocity with Maryland. Any opinions on whether employers will require a Maryland bar membership?

with insurance coverage experience, you should have some options. However, you need to get the ball rolling on bar admissions.

Anonymous wrote:Lawyers care out school much longer than other industries.

School stops mattering if the attorney has distinguished herself in some other way in her seven years of practice.

I'm not familiar with OP's practice area specifically, but my friends at mid-sized firms indicate there is not enough work (in general) and that some of the home-grown mid-level associates are being or will be forced out. It's also taking much longer to make counsel/partner, so there is some crowding at the 7th-8th year level. I would not expect a firm to "need" a 7th-year lateral except in unusual cases -- e.g., that person brought some business/connections, or could be set up to directly inherit somebody's book (I've seen the latter a couple times with retiring partners, where the firm did not plan well and had nobody senior enough to take on the business). Again, though, I've no idea of the specifics in OP's area.

Lawyers care out school much longer than other industries.

I think school is something that loses some relevance only when you bring in your own clients.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

OP is only 7 years out, I thought school would still hold some relevance. As in -- if she's from UPenn, she may be viewed differently than if she's from Villanova; though she is far enough out that if she's top 10% from Villanova with excellent work experience, it gives her an edge over a mid/bottom of the class person from Penn. Just how my firm does it - no idea what the standard is on when schools/grades finally stop mattering.