I have about 5 years of experience with decent firms doing insurance defense. I’ve always thought it would be awesome to switch sides of the table to represent plaintiffs. Beyond being interesting, I want to make bank. I’ve been earning $100k-125k for too long in my career. I would love to work hard and be in that $300k-$500k bracket. Any tips for that path forward? Would also love to know if this is feasible in a city like Salt Lake City. I went to a T15 law school, law review, fine grades

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Switching sides is going to be challenging coming from the defense side but not insurmountable.

One, check your motivation and two your mindset.

Do you want it for the right reason? Plaintiff clients are injured. Be about fighting for the injured. The money is and should be secondary.

If you’re doing it solely for the money you can succeed but will likely burnout. It really is about wanting to fight for the injured and bullied.

There is a prevalent train of thought in plaintiff’s firms NOT to hire straight from the defense side. This is due to a roughly 80% wash out ratio.

I’d suggest a look at what you can offer.

Plaintiff firms want: people that move files by cash flow not calendar, proactive litigation versus reactive, originators, and aggressive associates that are willing to bet on themselves.

Instead of seeking interviews hit LinkedIn. Get yourself networking with local associates that can bring you into the expanding firms. Get lunches with plaintiff firm owners. Also are you ever in court or depositions? These are some of the best place for recruiting. Plaintiff attorneys will go after people that impress them in court.

All you need is the first plaintiff job and you’re off and running.

Once in the door be ready to hustle. Outwork every attorney in the firm. Seriously. Take any trial, deposition or motion that comes your way.

The bottom line is this unless you’re an immediate earner or trial hitter, plaintiff work is about heart and hustle. Period.

So if you still want it after this, go get it. You can do it but you gotta be willing to bust your a$$.

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T15 with good grades and LR and you work in ID?

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I can provide great references and was a solid litigator. I just can’t even get an interview now.

You’re going to have to be bringing in some of your own cases and getting 1/3 to 50% of the fee on those case to make $300K-$500K. I would think your base salary would need to be at or above $100K with a very generous commission structure, too.

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