It might be a case of “the grass is greener on the other side” or purely wanting to take the next step in their career – but many legal candidates have said the same thing, “I want to work for a better firm.”
More often than not, these candidates are already working at great law firms. But of course, there is always the drive to work at more prestigious and notable companies. Even if the monetary compensation isn’t significantly better – there is something so alluring about “moving up.”
Even attorneys who have been working decades at the same firms would show interest in working at a more “prestigious” firm.
However, there is nothing wrong with striving for better. Regardless of the industry you’re in – we all know that the journey to success is an uphill climb. The motives, however, must be reasonable. For example, a job hopper (or firm-hopper) might always find a reason to leave for another company. And because of that, they will never really “grow” and reap the rewards of their efforts.
And as a staffing company, we can honestly say that short tenures at firms can be a red flag – for both us and the hiring managers at these “dream firms”.
However, this shouldn’t keep candidates from pursuing their goal of being at a better firm. If you are looking to make this move, here are 5 ways to make it happen:
1. Dedicate Time to a Specialized Practice
At Ave Staffing, we have seen plenty of candidates that may have not gone to ivy league law schools – but they’ve absolutely killed it when it comes to working with niche firms and having expertise in specific industries. Because of this, they stand out amongst a crowd whenever they pursue working at firms with similar interests.
And of course, the more time you put into your practice – the more attractive you are as a candidate. If you strive to work at a large law firm, keep in mind that they are looking for attorneys that are driven, quick on their feet, and in it for the long run.
2. Location, location, location
Remember, different areas in the US will have different job opportunities. And depending on the city’s legal market, there will be different levels of work. Because of that, you might have to shift your focus towards a city where the legal market is flourishing.
Taking into consideration that you might need to get licensed to practice in the state that you will be relocating. Although many companies are currently having employees work remotely – it is still something important to consider. Being flexible will make you an attractive candidate to firms all over the country.
3. Strike When The Timing’s Right
Because of the pandemic, there has been a shift in demand for certain areas of law. However, there is an increase in IP litigation, corporate law, real estate law, and family law.
Depending on what your specialty is and what the economy needs – your attractiveness as a candidate to your dream firm may fluctuate. However, these circumstances will change with time. So don’t be discouraged – and strike when the timing’s right!
4. Publish Work that Highlights Your Expertise
The great thing about published writing is that your accomplishments and expertise are public. As you already know – writing skills are incredibly important in the legal field. We’ve seen that candidates that have published work in highly specific practices are more likely to receive recognition. Why? Because it shows that they’re an ”expert.”
If there is any area you would like to pursue and feel that you’re passionate about – leverage that. If you are too broad in your published work, you won’t be able to stand out. For example, a great way to showcase published work is by writing articles on LinkedIn. Publishing your writing on platforms like this encourages sharing and increases your reach!
5. Consider Obtaining an LLM
While LLM’s are not obligatory – they can be beneficial to attorneys looking to “move up.” However, if your goal is to work as a tax attorney at a large firm – then obtaining an LLM in tax law would be helpful. So think of LLM’s not as a way to increase revenue, but to increase your chances of getting hired at a specific large law firm you’ve been eyeing.
If you get the opportunity to land an interview with a larger firm – be sure to let them know your incentives are not monetary, have existing issues with coworkers, or feel bored at your current position. If you mention any of these, the likelihood of you being hired drops. Firms want to work with attorneys that are looking to prosper within the company. And expressing that ambition will make you appear more trustworthy and as a better fit.