Ask A Legal Recruiter

How do people go about applying to in house positions? LinkedIn? Recruiters?

What’s the typical process for hiring/interviewing for a lateral position at an AmLaw 100 firm? Ie, how many rounds of interviews, timing between each interview, etc. Do firms typically interview X … more

What’s the hiring market like in Texas for a 4th year investment management associate? I’m interested in Austin but understand there may be more opportunities in Houston or Dallas. Graduated with hono… more

Advice on how to overcome a 3 year gap between graduating and being admitted to the bar with less than a year of any substantive legal work in between, or should I just quit law while I’m ahead? Don’t… more

Is it ever appropriate to follow up with the firm's recruiting contact about an application you've submitted through the firm's website? I have a in-house offer but would much prefer a rol… more

What are non-biglaw options for derivatives associates? I spent a few years in Corp/M&A and recently moved to derivatives. The work/life balance is slightly better and the team is great. Big fear… more

What's the salary for a 2yr associate in a NYC firm? Clarification not a big law.

Have any Legal recruiters helped place a junior (1-2 yr.) Staff/Diligence Attorney mainly focused on PE transactions/M&A at a V20 firm into a traditional partnership-track junior (1-3 yr) Associat… more

Any advice for lateraling as a junior IP Associate? I am currently doing trademark, copyright, and media work but want to transition to technology transactions. I also have TCAM experience as a parale… more

Just graduated from a lower tier law school, but passed the N.C. bar exam in July. I have worked with the EEOC, PD’s office, and civil litigation clinic throughout law school. Maybe it’s just the pand… more

Other than law school rank, what do recruiters/hiring partners care about most on a resume? Specifically for 2nd/3rd year lateral associates.

I’m a third-year associate with an Am Law 200, doing mostly transactional corporate/M&A work. I took the job right out of law school after working at the firm as a summer associate, but my goal ha… more

does patent prosecution exist in nyc? i am a patent attorney thinking about making a move

can someone explain why theres all these legal recruiters on here with the title "Partner"? seems a little ridiculous to have the title of partner when you are a legal recruiter.

Is the hiring slowdown over? I contacted a few firms to inquire about lateral opportunities in late June/early July and was asked to check back in the fall due to hiring freezes. I wonder if I should … more

Best suggestions for relocating to a new city/state without knowing anyone in the new city? How critical is it to have the bar admission for the new state before applying? Any information is appreciat… more

5th big law ip attorney looking to make jump to firm with partner track or in-house with similar compensation and will take into consideration 10 years experience as an engineer. Any thoughts?

What’s the average annual salary for a General Counsel at a $250-$300M construction company in Boston?

What questions should you avoid asking in an initial interview? Compensation and comp structure? Partner track? And what time is appropriate to ask?

Looking to switch from the Big4 to a law firm, any advice? I’ve been applying on indeed, but how else can I put myself out there?

Any advice for lateraling as first-year business lit associate? I’m not getting any work at my current firm due to partner hoarding and overstaffing. Can I lateral this early or should I wait until I’… more

Any recommendations for a third year cap mkts associate in nyc? What firm was the best culture and who's hiring

PSA to all associates: having been around the block, I hate to see the notion being sold that recruiters have information about positions that are not listed. When it comes to lateral associate recrui… more

Looking to switch firms, getting lots of recruiter emails, but have a hard time making any decisions since I don’t have the time/experience w/recruiters to weigh their companies. Not sure how to best … more

When a job posting says 3-5 years of experience, does that mean a 3rd-5th year associate? Asking because there’s a bit of a discrepancy between the two, since if I graduated in May 2017, I’d be a thir… more

I’m looking for a legal or managerial position in / or with companies working anywhere in Africa. I hold a BA LLB from University of Kwa Zulu Natal - admitted in Zimbabwe. 35 years experience working… more

Most important factors in choosing a legal recruiter? Can't seem who the right choice is. Trying to move to la from nyc doing lit. Currently at a v20. And anyone know firms who accept laterals wit… more

Any notice how many of these legal recruiters took ppp loans? Sadly not shocked, but how can they not be embarrassed to take ppp loans while still advertising jobs/recruiting and bragging about all th… more

I am a legal recruiter with about a dozen years experience. I run my own search firm and have experience in multiple markets. I wanted to post a thread where anyone can ask any questions they need ans… more

Top 3 law school, admitted since 2014. Went into public interest law but want to move to the private sector for higher pay. Is big law possible? What are good options?

I was working with a recruiter to relocate to another market before covid and was recently stealthed. Should I share this information with my recruiter?

Looking to relocate to Atlanta. Interest mostly in criminal defense. Any recommendations?

I’m having a hard time breaking into document review as a recently barred attorney and it’s very discouraging because I’ve been told for years that anyone can pick it up easily, citing it as the “fast… more

Family law attorney for the last 3 years and looking to do almost anything else. Any tips on where to start? I spent the last ten years working towards becoming a family law attorney so I am very lost… more

Can I switch to transactional at a different firm after 1 year of litigation? Top 3 school with lackluster grades.

Interviewed (via Zoom) with an out of town firm about a possible lateral position in mid-March. They were extremely positive, hinted at an offer, but stated it was a timing issue with COVID (understan… more

Does anyone have insight on big tech in-house recruiting timelines? Seems COVID slowed them down significantly, but not sure by how much. Thanks!

I got an offer for a new position and when I tried handing in my resignation, my supervising partner made me an offer of $10k more than my new with the new offer. I was leaving because of unfairness a… more

What are good areas of civil law for prosecutors to transition to?

I have been practicing in creditors rights/foreclosure in PA & NJ for around 4.5 years. Due to the foreclosure/eviction moratoriums there is no work to do and I was furloughed. I am looking to cha… more