Hello! I’m currently a 2L in law school. I’ve worked as a family law paralegal for 16 years and, while I enjoy my work and the field in general, I’m not sure I want to practice it when I pass the bar. I’m considering transitioning to corporate/finance law. Do you think that is possible? Is it wise? If so, what advice do you have for me on making the change? Thank you!

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Yes. Not saying your prior experience couldn’t be relevant to you getting a job and having a nice edge over your competition when you start working, but the firms will not view you as transitioning into a new practice, they’ll just view you as a new lawyer in terms of your training which, in a lot of ways is a good thing. And of course no offense intended, big firms are just factories and that’s just how that cheese gets sliced.

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Substantively yes of course you could. Do you want biglaw? What rank is your law school?

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You will be a new graduate. Of course you can.

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Yes, your experience prior to law school has nothing to do with what you have to do going forward. Landing a good corporate or finance law job is just based on your GPA and any other relevant work experience that you can sell.

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I was a paralegal and in-house contracts manager for close to 10 years before law school and as an associate work in an entirely different area. My work experience in general was considered a huge plus even if it was in an area marginally related to my current area.

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