How do you transition from big 4 consulting to big law? My clients are all funds, and I do international tax consulting. I have used my connections to refer me into probably 10 big law firms and it’s not working. One most recently came back and said they aren’t interested bc I have no law firm experience. How am I supposed to get it though? I can’t go to lower ranked firms bc my clients are all “big.” … any suggestions appreciated!

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I did 2 years at EY in ITS, left to do my tax LLM, and used that to move to big law. I did a lot of networking within the EYs national tax practice (lots of ex IRS and other attorneys with big law contacts). I also got involved with my local bar association tax group. A lot of tax groups are hiring like crazy at the moment so it's likely just a matter of getting in front of the right person.

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I was told at EY that I needed an LLM to make partner some day and I was thinking of transitioning anyways so I made the jump. EY said they'd pay for it, but then it would have taken me forever to finish doing it part time and I didn't want to stay. School sucks but it's only a year long program and given the big law pay jump and my scholarship, I'll recoup the cost of attendance and loss of income pretty quickly (like literally ~2 years). Depending on your level, you may just frankly need an LLM to be competitive. I can't name a person in my group without one except for a couple senior partners and the non-lawyer economists in the transfer pricing subgroup. If you have a big book of business, I can't imagine anyone would care. But it's probably tougher for junior levels. Also, keep in mind that the experience doesn't count one for one (i.e., some 5th yr senior associates at Big4 come in as 2nd years in big law). I think law firms also get more concerned about no law firm experience the longer you stay in PA, at least until you hit partner/have valuable clients. You might have better luck now given the need for talent though. I don't know the boston market at all so I can't really give you leads there.

My friend just got into big law from PA with only prior PA experience. So you know it is just an excuse

I personally know 2 individuals who got in from my exact group several years back into the group at the firm I applied to. So me, just 5 and 3 years back. I don’t get it

Are you willing to do transactional work? If so send me resume.

Are you still looking?

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