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5th year here too. I’ve switched from toxic tort to products liability to coverage with each firm (~2.5 years at each). Never taken a pay cut. Be willing to learn and highlight your skill set and experience. The areas of law are learnable. Be steadfast in your abilities and express that in your applications and interviews. We’re never as “stuck” as we seem.
Thank you! This is really helpful.
Sell your skill set not your work history. :)
Someone at my old firm did this. I believe he was a third or fourth year. Boutique labor and employment national firm. They bumped him down to a first year for partnership/salary but it was possible. He didn’t negotiate but I think could have.
I’m in the process of doing the same thing. Not easy
2nd year associate here that made the switch from WC to transactional work. I made the switch after only 1 year (so not very applicable to your situation), but I had a close coworker of mine also make the switch after year 5 from WC to civil lit. He got bumped down to a 3rd year associate but was still able to do it by selling his transferable skills.
Side note: 120k for a 5th year (los angeles) is low even for WC. Even if you’re not able to make the jump from practice group, I’d suggest you move to somewhere that compensates you better
I’m a 6th year in toxic tort/environmental/products liability at biglaw. Previously I was staff attorney for a large insurance company. First 3.5 years I did work comp defense. I transferred to the GL/auto group for about 1.5 years before the current gig. I recommend going to insurance defense first and selling your knowledge of med-legal issues.
Thank you! This is really helpful.