How do you know when it’s time to make a switch from or to transactional, litigation, or regulatory work? After 2 months of this, I’m afraid I’m on the wrong track. Doing mostly regulatory work and it’s ok but doesn’t quite feel like my path. I didn’t go into lit because I dislike legal writing. But I do like nuts and bolts lit stuff I’ve done (doc review, preparing write ups on experts). Transactional is the real wild card as I have no idea what that entails on a day-to-day basis.

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Switch as early as you can make up your mind. Firms find it harder to accommodate changes after a while. Most will let you switch in two years unless you were brought in for a specific group’s needs.

Some other thoughts: The work will change over time. You won’t be doing doc review forever. Your needs outside of work will change over time, too. The stressors, facetime, travel, predictability, and even hours can be very different group to group. So think about how that fits with life outside work. I’d also think about edit options, too, as they’re very different for lit, regulatory, and transactional. Lit in particular is slim pickings unless you have a good network. But you can do non profit. Transactional seems to let you duck out early for good pay. Regulatory has a government and private practice angle.

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I’d move sooner rather than later but talk to people at your firm who work in their areas and find out what they actually do. Litigation, for example, will always involve lots of legal writing, and more of it as you advance. So if you don’t like doing that I’d pick something else.

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I don't know who needs to hear this, but I have a few former classmates and colleagues sweating over lateral interviews. Take a deep breath and relax.

First, doing these interviews does not define you as a person.

Second, take it one day at a time; if they are moving forward, they see something in you.

Third, remember that the people interviewing you are human beings. Connect with them, be personable.

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