Ask A Recruiter - Law

Why don’t recruiters ever offer feedback on your resume or writing sample? Unless they do and I’ve just been working with the wrong recruiters.

Is it typical for a recruiter to not let an attorney know either way whether a firm has turned down their resume? I thought it was unprofessional to not hear either way after months, with one check-in… more

Does going in-house too early hurt your chances of becoming GC later? hear mixed advice — some say early in-house leads to faster leadership; others say you need big firm training first. what patterns… more

Has anyone else tried applying to government roles and realized the process moves at geological speed? I submitted an application in September, got an email in November, and only just got contacted fo… more

I am going to reneg a in house job tomorrow morning that I accepted out of desperation as I’ve been out of employment for few months as a new call. I was supposed to start in a week and I was dreading… more

Q: What is elder law?
Elder law focuses on legal issues affecting seniors, including estate planning, healthcare, guardianship, and financial planning.
Visit Us:https://www.theelderlawcoach.com/

I’ve been a contractor for 4 years, the last year being at a large bank. They made me permanent a couple months ago. Just got another offer for contracting legal manager (applied before being made per… more

What law firms and practice areas on the transactional side still allow true remote work, as in, no days in the office? Many firms seem to advertise some variation of a 3x2 hybrid schedule.

Is Senior Counsel a terminal title at some companies?
In some places, Senior Counsel sits just under Director; in others, it feels like a dead end. How do you tell if a role has real upward mobility be… more

Is there anyone I can speak to anonymously? Essentially, i am in a dilemma. I received a job offer but there are two points I’d like to negotiate.

Q: What is AI legal coaching?
AI legal coaching uses artificial intelligence to provide personalized learning, practice scenarios, and real-time feedback for law students and professionals.
Visit Us:htt… more

Are in-house salary bands actually flexible Sometimes postings list a huge range, like $140K–$230K, which tells me nothing. how much wiggle room is there really when a candidate is strong?

Has anyone ever gone back to a company they left? I got a message from my old manager saying they’d love to have me back, but I left for a reason. The money’s better this time, though, which makes it … more

What should I be looking for in job postings to identify firms that actually invest in mentorship and training? Almost every junior level listing I’ve seen emphasizes “working independently” or “takin… more

Anyone else struggling to move from midlaw to a bigger firm? I’ve got solid experience, but it feels like firms only want to poach associates from their peer group.

Is it better to stay longer in one role or move every few years? In my role for 2.5 years now, thinking moving,
But hear conflicting advice so far, some say loyalty shows depth, others say moving every… more

Soo I accepted a position for an in house last week, but the start date isn’t until three weeks from now. This one I got it on my own by cold app.
On the other hand I’ll likely get an offer that I got … more

What’s your strategy when a recruiter asks, “Are you interviewing anywhere else?” I never know if honesty helps or hurts. Say yes and risk losing leverage, say no and sound desperate. It’s one of thos… more

How do internal promotions really happen?
Sometimes it feels like promotions are based on timing more than performance. What actually moves the needle inside companies — visibility, sponsorship, result… more

What’s the right time to lateral as a junior associate? I’ve been at my firm for 18 months, and the work is fine but there’s zero mentorship. Is two years the standard mark before moving? I don’t want… more

Anyone else feel like legal recruiters ghost faster than clients do? I’ve had multiple “we’ll circle back soon” calls that went nowhere. Should I keep following up or assume silence means rejection?

Does switching industries hurt or help your long-term path? I’ve seen corporate lawyers jump from finance → tech → retail, and some say it made them more well-rounded. do employers value industry vari… more

Looking for a recruiter in the funds space (NYC biglaw). Please let me know of any recommendations. Thank you

How common is it to be able to practice in another jurisdiction while under supervision of another attorney at a law firm? For context I’m barred in DC but am looking at firms in New York. I’m not abl… more

I’m originally from Virginia and would love to move back to the Virginia/Maryland area. I relocated to Idaho to care for my dad after his stroke, but now that circumstances have shifted, I’m hoping to… more

How do you know if you’re ‘growing’ in your role… or just coasting? Sometimes the work feels comfortable, but I can’t tell if that’s good or a sign I’m stagnating. what indicators show it’s time to lo… more

Do referrals really make a difference?
I’ve heard referrals move your resume to the top of the pile — but does that still hold true? In my last company, we value so much on referrals, but in my curren… more

What’s the best path to biglaw for a very junior attorney?

Post bar, is working as a corporate counsel in a large investment firm (30+ offices) better or working as an associate in a boutique business … more

What’s the best way to move from a small firm to an in-house role? I’ve been practicing for six years in commercial litigation and want to shift toward corporate advisory work. Do recruiters take thos… more

How do people actually find out what peers make? Salary sites are all over the place and internal transparency doesn’t exist. Do you just ask colleagues directly or wait for recruiters to spill number… more

Any in-house recruiters in Washington, DC? New to the process so would love some guidance or to work with someone if that’s an option

When applying jobs, it’s rarely that we can check all boxes, I would apply if I am a fit around maybe 70% of the requirements. But I have friends told me that they will just apply everything to increa… more

I was wondering if transcription work may help pave the way for opportunities as a legal assistant or paralegal. I am about to complete a Masters in Legal Studies program, and am looking to pivot from… more

Everyone talks about what to do — I’m more curious about what instantly turns interview off. What’s one thing candidates say or do that’s an instant no? I remembered that we were interviewing a candid… more

What should the salary for a litigation assistant with 23 years experience and 4 years at the current job be? Miami/Tampa area

What’s your strategy for handling a long hiring process without burning out? I’m six weeks into interviews with one company and they keep adding new steps. Do you politely check in or just ride it out… more

Any recs for an in-house recruiter in the SF Bay Area?

How long does the average legal hiring process really take? seen some roles move in 2 weeks and others drag for a few months. Is it just internal bureaucracy, or is the market really that slow right n… more

Have you ever accepted a job offer out of panic and immediately regretted it? I said yes on Friday after months of rejections, then woke up Saturday with buyer’s remorse. Now all week I've been ba… more

Has anyone else had a dream company lowball them into walking away? I was genuinely excited about the role and stupidly said I’d take a slight pay cut. They came back $15K below my minimum. Guess I sc… more