Tag Archives: job search

A New Path to Clerkship, and Improved Diversity in Federal Law

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Law school deans have spoken, and it’s paid off!  In February 2018 a group of federal judges agreed to a plan that pushes law clerk hiring to after law students’ second year in school.

In addition to easing the pressure on first-year law school students, the open process is expected to increase diversity among law clerks in federal law.

You can read more about how this plan came about in the original article from our colleagues at The National Law Journal, and the open letter from over 100 law school deans.  See more details on the  Federal Law Clerk Hiring Pilot here.

 

Big Law Insights: The Latest Law Student Recruiting Trends

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Our colleagues at The American Lawyer report that entry-level recruitment efforts across law firms remain steady and robust .  Big Law recruiting volume and practices are now on par with pre-recession levels, according to the data collected by the National Association for Law Placement.

What has changed though is the size of summer program classes, with the average falling from 22 in 2016 to 20 in 2017.  The good news for those who get through is that 95% of participants in summer programs go onto to receive offers for an associate position.

Read more about the NALP survey in the article here and let us know how this compares with your experience!

How to Land on Your Feet in the Legal Industry

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Getting let go or fired can be stressful, and if you’re like most people in the legal industry, you may feel uncertain about what options are available to you and what next steps to take. Here are some basic job search tips that everyone can use when they have lost their jobs. 

Update Your Resume

One of the most important steps you can take is to bring your resume up-to-date. All too often, we neglect this important document simply because we have a successful career. Keeping your resume updated with recent certifications, accomplishments and awards is important; take the time to review and update your resume today. Take some time to update your social media profiles as well; LinkedIn and other social sites can be a great source of new leads. 

Keep in Contact With Peers 

Networking is one of the best things you can do when searching for a new position. Remaining in contact with your former coworkers can help you stay updated on current changes in law that could have an impact on your future. Networking with those who are still active in the field will also help you feel less out of the loop from what is happening in the legal industry. Your existing network may also help you land a new position; always keep the word out among your peers that you’re looking for a new position. 

Take Job Hunting Seriously 

It’s easy to treat job hunting as something you must do. Chances are after a job loss you’re feeling despondent and ungrounded; make sure you treat finding a new position like a full-time job. The more seriously you take your job search, the more serious potential employers are to treat you seriously. 

Be Prepared for Interviews 

Many of us find the interview process stressful. If you have not been on an interview in a long time, you could benefit from a mock interview. Get a friend or family member to do a mock job interview so you can hone your interview skills. Make sure you feel confident about your answers to difficult questions you’ll likely face including why you are looking for a new position. 

Filling in Resume Gaps

You will need to explain to prospective employers why you are no longer at your previous job, whether you left by choice or not. It’s best to prepare an answer beforehand so you are ready to answer this question.

Sugar coating a firing can be challenging. The best way to handle this during an interview is to be honest about the circumstances without placing blame on anyone, including your former employer. Make sure you point out any lessons you’ve learned from being fired. 

Layoffs are fairly simple to explain; however, make sure your answer is truthful and brief. With the current state of the economy, and slow growth for the legal industry it is not uncommon for law firms to downsize. If needed, you may expand upon this with what you’ve learned from the experience.

If you’ve decided it was time to move on, you may have to explain what reasons were behind your decision. Make sure you avoid badmouthing the firm or its partners and instead, focus on the positives and what your prior position taught you about yourself and your career goals. 

How to Get Back in the Legal Industry

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Career changes and job changes are a constant for the typical American worker, and the constant state of flux in the legal industry only reinforces this general principle. Turnover in the legal industry costs roughly $9.1 billion annually. Much of this turnover is due to lawyers who seek a legal career change or lawyers who left law and aim to re-enter the industry.

This extensive industry turnover provides an excellent opportunity to re-enter the legal industry for anyone looking to use their law degree to practice law once again. If you are a legal graduate looking to return to the industry, the following tips should prove helpful for your legal re-entry strategy.

Tap Into Your Legal Network

Given that you were once an active member of the legal community, you likely created ties and connections to important people in the industry before you left. In the years since your departure from the legal industry, those peers likely have grown to enjoy hiring influence in their respective law firm and/or company.

As the old adage goes, it is often who you know, not what you know that makes the difference in the hiring process. This is no less true in the legal industry. Whether you tap into your peers or a network of passionate law school alumni, connections reduce barriers to re-entry and make it far easier to get your foot in the door.

Staying on Top of Legal Changes

Staying current with the latest legal changes is a critical component of making a successful return to law. Many educational institutions offer programs designed to help lawyers shore up their knowledge before re-entering the competitive legal marketplace. Bar associations may also provide similar programs and opportunities, so it pays to do your research in the state where you will be practicing. Not only will these programs help you find job opportunities, they are also critically important for shoring up legal knowledge.

As you know from your days in law school, many areas of law change rapidly. No matter what practice area you plan on resuming, you will need to find out what’s changed in your field since you left the law. Whether you take continuing legal education (CLE) courses or you need to take the bar, you will find the resources you need through local law schools and bar associations.

Refine Your Résumé

Once you reconnect with peers and refine your legal knowledge, you will be ready to commence the job interview process. While you may have an “in” with some of your former colleagues, you still need to tweak your résumé so you showcase your experience in the best possible light.

Depending on your desired practice area, highlight the skills you learned outside of law in the best possible light. For example, if you left real estate law to become a real estate agent, leverage that experience to highlight your nuanced understanding of real estate transactions from every angle. In short, sell your prior experience as something to be coveted and valued by legal employers.

Once you reach out to your network, regain familiarity with your practice area and hone your résumé, you will be well on your way towards a fulfilling return to law.