Ideally trying to break into L&E defense big law as a 3rd year. Made the mistake of working for some boutique law firms and worried I screwed myself. Can’t seem to find a decent recruiter in So Cal who has decent firms. Got any advice?

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Aim for the Big 4 L&E firms and apply directly through their website.

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My advice would be to network as much as you can to try to build relationships at the firms you want to work for, and make sure you stay with your next firm for at least three years if you've already made more than two moves. Not sure where you are now, but the insurance defense heavy firms like Gordon Rees, Cozen, and similar will be much easier to break into to get the defense-side experience you're looking for.

It's very difficult for recruiters to place candidates trying to pivot from plaintiff side to defense side L&E (or to any defense side practice), especially in Big Law. If recruiters are telling you they don't have jobs for you, it's because they're being honest that they won't be a good resource for you. You also mentioned that you've worked for *some* boutique firms and are only a third-year, so if you've made 2-3 moves and are only 3 years in, that is also going to make your job search tougher.

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If youre a warm body you should be getting multiple offers in southern california. Its seriously the easiest way to guarantee making 200k+

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When you say you worked for boutique law firms, do you mean plaintiff side?

It’s not as hard as you think. If you have at least one year on the defense side in L&E, after working on the plaintiffs side, you can get hired at one of the Big Four. I may be able to help. What’s the best way to contact you?

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