I’m at a legal aid organization, and our primary federal grant was drastically cut, meaning my position will be eliminated in three months. I need to find a private firm job fast, but I’ve only ever done poverty law and housing defense. I’m terrified of the corporate interview process because I’ve never had to track my time in 6-minute increments or worry about a client’s profitability. What are the biggest culture shocks I need to prepare for, and how do I convince a firm that I can handle their demands?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

This is rough. I am sorry! You will make the pivot and do well.

Most private firms want you to pay attention to details, move files (ethically, "win it, bill it, and close it fast"), and be profitably as quickly as possible. Firms build in losses for training and up to speed time. The faster you can handle cases efficiently, the better.

To specifically answer your question: Billing quickly and often, deep practice area expertise, flawless work product expectation, and internal politics/crazy partners are the biggest shocks you likely will experience. These create the "toxic" culture

A lateral from legal aid did very well in my Big Law class. It can be done.

I suggest focusing on your concrete litigation skills and accomplishments. Big Law attorneys rarely interact with clients or appear in court so these factors will be critical selling points.

Enthusiasm is another selling point. Lean into how great it will be to practice with the resources of a private sector firm.

Research the firm’s clients and positions on cases beforehand to make sure you are comfortable with them. You can look up dockets nationally on Lexis CourtLink, for instance.

Related Posts

Hi everyone. Is 15000 AED per month a good salary for a Marketing Manager role in Dubai?
Also Is it standard to have a 1 year bond in UAE?
My current CTC is 18 lpa.

like

Can you guys share your advice on how to write an email to get you a phone call and ultimately help get you an interview? Sending cold emails right now and would appreciate your help

like
like

Can anyone Help me with Interview Questions in PWC and what are there expectations ? For 1040 US tax ?

like

Hi Team,

I joined Mindtree on 8th Feb and not got project and I was waiting for last 2 and half month. So, i gave interview outside (tech mahindra) and got selected. Almost 30-35% they said they will give and i am negotiating on it.

My main concern was shift and i have some health issues and unable to continue in night shift in Mindtree and tech mahindra its purely EMEA shift and per project team update.

Shall i switch to tech Mahindra?

Hi, I'm almost at the end of NP. I've two offers in hand with different roles and similar packages.
1. Product manager at EY
2. Product analyst at Livspace.

While package is my second priority, role and job security is more important me.. My aim is to get into product manager roles and I've been waiting for this since forever.
Which one should I go for after considering the pros and cons?

like
like

What is Accenture Operations? I have an offer for analytics and insights domain in Accenture Operations level 10 ? I have 3 years of experience in machine learning. What's kind of project i can expect there? Anyone from Accenture operations pls help...Accenture

Hi fishes,
Yoe-7 techstack - .net,MVC,webapi,azure certification (az-204) but no hands on azure projects.

Unisys- 23 Lpa(fixed) ,LWD - 23 oct ,CCTC -14.5
Given number of interviews but no one are ready to give more than this even if I reach last rounds.
I am confused right now like should give some more interviews or join the unisys?

Is unisys good company to join and how about wlb and hikes in unisys?

TIA

like

Recently I got an offer from Airbus. How will the work culture and learning over be there?

I know I've been low-balled in terms of salary. But if there is a good culture I'm happy to take it.

Any feedback is good fishes!

like

How is @Happay as an organisation for an enterprise sales role? How's job security, product acceptance and T&E learning curve.

Hi folks,

My current project is discontinued by client, so I’m on bench now. Im serving notice period and only 40 days are remaining. I asked HR for early release me but they denied, saying its our policy to complete NP

Is there any possibility to get early release? Whom to I contact?

like

Any administrators looking to move facilities or jobs? My company is hiring administrators, if you live in NJ or even close to and want to know more please dm me.

like

All of us want the same thing! Money- Flex Timing- Great Culture- Respect - Value in what we are doing!
We, the employees make an organization. If all of us want the same thing, how come the culture of that organization still remains the same! Why can’t we be the pioneer? Thoughts…

likeupliftingfunny

DM me or reply in the comments, if anyone's looking for a referral in KPMG.

likehelpfulsmartupliftingfunny

I just got my first promotion! Start in the new role next week. Any general tips for hitting the ground running when you change orgs? I really want to make a good impression with the new team.

likeupliftingsmart

Hi! Can anyone provide insight into how I can increase my chances of getting a position at Microsoft? It's in the Financial Services Group and I think I'd be a good fit. Any help is appreciated!

I have an offer from UST global for the Bangalore location. Can anyone please tell me about the work culture and if work from home is going to be continued throughout 2022?

I was just offered a sales consultant role at a spirit’s distributor 65K with potential to make 75K if I meet goals etc. My dream job @ Red Bull, Similar role but way more fun around the same range of $$ possibly slightly more ..am still waiting to hear if I made it to the final round. I have until Friday to respond and Red Bull said they would let me know IF I made it to the final round by Friday.. should I reach out to Red Bull if I have not heard by Wednesday that I need to make a decision?

like

NYS
I work for NYS, I have been able to get interviews for the next step up position, I'm currently an 18, I would like to move to a 23. What are good interview strategies to use when looking for a promotion.

like

More Posts

like

What does a good earned media strategy look like to you?

like

Can someone please refer me for Network security administrator profile Noida.

Any book recommendations on advanced procurement/sourcing concepts?

Most popular books I find such as 'Procurement and Supply Manager's Desk Reference' are not detailed/deep enough.

like

First time working as a senior and Manager doesn’t review or have time for many questions. Deff trying my best but very hard to be efficient when it’s takes time for me to understand everything (planning). anybody in the same situation?

like

Hi. Looking for referrals at Salesforce. Happy to jump into a call to discuss my candidacy. Thank you! 🙏🏽

like

This bowl perfectly reflects the Vancouver ad scene and I'm ruining that just to post this to point it out.

What is the comparision between Infosys band 6B and Band 8 of IBM? Any pointers please!

like

Accenture vs ZS for WLB?

I have technology backgorund but if ZS WLB is good might consider strategy too.

like

Hi Fishes. I am currently holding offer from BP and Citi , both offering the same package for penetration tester. Any idea which is an overall better option to choose?

like

Name the agency you hated working at. 🍿

like

What’s going on at Engine? Seem to be losing a lot of good people including the CSO.

like

Hello Fishes,


My YOE is 5.3 and I am holding around 24 lpa offer now TCS has started my visa processing for uk.I have an query that, should i stay in tcs and go onsite or go with other companies.

Thanks for your valuable feedback in advance.
Currently i am getting 8 lpa from TCS.

Hello Fishes !
I got an offers from two companies in flat steel products for Pune location.
One company is startup company categories under dealer based on e-commerce
And one one big brand company but they have started new divisions for e-commerce flat form

Which one should i choose? ( work life balance/ stability/sustainability/growth)

Pay scale for both nearby but brand company is paying less than expected.

like

Anyone been to crew club in DC?

Any idea how much increment and bonus one can expect this year in KGS? And how much it will be if I had joined in march.

Where have you been ordering takeout?

likehelpful

I've heard from multiple people about how inflated the assets are and high the P/E ratio is, hence not a good time to invest in the market. Long term investors, how do you deal with this argument? P.s. I understand the time in the market>time the market.

like

What are some of the things to keep in mind when leasing a new car? What are some add-on that can be negotiated on?

like

Hi Fishes.. 6 yoe in SAP SD, i got 2 offers one from Wipro14 lpa role tech lead and other from Infosys for 16lpa role consultant.. i feel in Wipro the role is good but package is very less and in Infosys the role less for my experience and package can also be revised.. what can i do.. need your valuable inputs if i can negotiate with anyone of the company or which i can choose.. TIA.

like

Additional Posts in Ask A Recruiter - Law

Are there any certifications or comprehensive courses for attorneys looking to break into blockchain?

like

I currently work at a medium sized firm and have about two years experience in personal injury litigation. The billable hours and lack of work life balance are really getting to me and I am looking to switch to something else out of litigation, preferably in house. I am also looking to relocate to a different state. How do I go about properly marketing myself to companies that might not take my relocation and minimal experience seriously?

like

What is the protocol with talking with recruiters? I'm not pre se looking to move right now but if something with more money and flexibility regarding location opens up then I'm not opposed.

Is it wrong to talk to them about possible opportunities?

like

I’m a foreign qualified lawyer who passed the NY Bar Exam recently. I’m looking to apply to law firms along the East Coast. How do I get in touch with a recruiter to help me with my job search?

like

When do firms start sponsoring green cards? What’s the earliest year you have seen and can I negotiate this as part of lateral package?

like

I’m thinking about transitioning to In-House from a big law firm where I practice Employee Benefits. Will employers consider me without the typical “corporate” or “litigation” experience?

like

Dear legal recruiters who used to work as attorneys: are you glad you made the switch? I think recruiting could be fun but I know how much I ignore recruiter emails daily so it makes me think it’s touch to place people and make a consistent income. Thoughts?

like

I received an offer from a boutique litigation firm and a large law firm on the same day! I want to take a little time to consider both. What’s the typical time frame to respond?

like

Resume question I've had three positions over my career one of which lasted 3 months and that I got fired from, the job search took an additional 2 months. Is it worth it to leave the 3 month stint off my resume? It might be easier to explain getting fired then a 5-month gap I was thinking

like

Do you have guidelines of what you expect a transactional associate to know at X years into their license?

like

How can I break into transactional practice from a litigation background?

like

What's the review process for firms. I have people getting rejected but I haven't heard anything. Is it interviews, offers, rejections? Or is it review/ interview and rejections then offers.

like

As a 20+ year lawyer with no big law experience (smaller and mid size firms plus government and in house experience), would a BigLaw firm even consider me? Perhaps an of counsel position? Even a senior associate?

like

I have been practicing in creditors rights/foreclosure in PA & NJ for around 4.5 years. Due to the foreclosure/eviction moratoriums there is no work to do and I was furloughed. I am looking to change directions- what is the most logical next move?

like

Assuming that I'm okay with a salary of 70K and more, and that I really don't want to work at a law firm. Is it going to be difficult for me to return to law with two years of experience and one year working in a legal adjacent role.

like

Entering my 2nd year as a medical malpractice (insurance) defense litigator. My billables are 2200 per year, even during WFH and COVID while the courts are moving very slowly. Any advice as to what I should look into for an exit? I can’t hit those billables while maintaining my sanity.

like

Any recruiters based in Dubai, UAE or working with law firms based in UAE or companies looking to hire someone with legal experience. Please DM me. Thank you

like

What is a considerate way to say “no thank you” to a recruiter? I was contacted on LinkedIn and want to be respectful of the recruiter’s time but also want to thank them for thinking of me.

like

This strike at Facebook is messing up my numbers. Has anyone else been in a situation like this? They were a major source of work for me. What can I do? I really need advice.

like

Our firm needs a ln experienced paralegal, is there anyway to find one besides the typical job boards?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal