I am a foreign trained attorney, licensed in NY. I’ve been working as an immigration lawyer for 4 years , trying to switch to a different practice area for a very long time now. I’m getting paid a below average salary. Since I am not able switch practice areas; I thought I’d try landing a job at a bigger law firm with immig practice. Despite 4 years of exp, I don’t even get interview calls from big law. Is it cuz I only have an LLM? I am so dejected, idk I think I shd give up being an attorney.

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I’m also a foreign trained attorney, licensed in CA. I’m in a very similar situation… I’m in tax and estate planning and have been working at a small law firm for 5 years, also underpaid. I have been applying for a few months now and it just seems like big law just won’t even entertain the idea… I’m finding that networking and looking for positions at midsize law firms have been getting me more interviews. I think that maybe just taking the next step up the ladder is the way to go…

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Thank you!! This is helpful :) I am networking a bit on LinkedIn and stuff, and some are ready to give career advice which is great, but it’s not really helping me land a job or even get interview calls😅 Quite frustrating..

Does your firm sponsor your Visa? Or are you a US citizen/permanent resident? Regardless, immigration group within big law usually hire from word of mouth (at least that has been my experience in TX) it would also depend on whether your immigration law experience matches their need. I’m assuming you’re practicing business immigration? I’d start going to networking events, and get your name out there by working for midsize firms and moving up. What other type of law would you prefer to practice?

How did you pivot out? Im trying to do right now! Have no idea how. I clerked at the fed level for 2 years then got into immigration. Been doing immigration for a year. Please help.

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