Could you use an expert opinion on a career or job-search question? We welcome your most pressing questions and are here to provide you with candid, straight-talking career advice.
By Claudia Barnes, Managing Director
Question: I am a senior (Class of 1998) business litigator who has been laid off of a small boutique firm since June 2009. I have approximately $50,000-$100,000 in portable business that I have maintained for several years now. I have interviewed with several firms in the various geographic regions that my family and I can move to; however, I have not yet received an offer. Many of the firms require more portable business. I am unable to look outside of the state due to my wife's job, and I am losing hope. There simply are not any other firms I can apply to, and I am thinking about starting my own firm. Any suggestions?
Answer: We are hearing this very story several times a week. Even in a flourishing economy, we find that senior level attorneys, especially general litigators, have a difficult time finding a new position after being let go from their firm. Without a substantial amount of portable business (at least $300,000-$500,000), many firms are unable to support the salary demands of a senior level attorney.
Some attorneys believe if they lower their salary demands and apply to jobs for junior level attorneys they will have more success. This is not true. Firms who want to hire an associate in the 2-5 year range are not willing to consider someone who is significantly more senior – even if the attorney's experience is exactly what the firm is looking for. This seems puzzling since the firm would technically get a ''deal'' by hiring a more experienced attorney for the price of a less experienced one. However, firms target a certain class year for many reasons besides experience level. There may already be a number of senior attorneys at the firm who are on partnership track and adding another person at their level-even to come in at a junior level-would disrupt the politics within the firm. Firms also hire within a certain range because they simply do not want someone who has too much experience. Firms like to train their associates to do things their way. A senior level attorney will likely have learned to do things in a way that may not be conducive to the firm's practice.
Now back to your question about starting your own firm. I recently spoke with a senior attorney who believed if he began a firm with several other senior level attorneys who had a few clients then perhaps each attorney could support the other and build upon their business. For instance, if one attorney has $50,000, another has $75,000, and another has $100,000, perhaps they could all work together and support each other and market their skills as a group. This is a very good solution to your predicament. Now how do you find these fellow attorneys?
I have several ideas on this one. The most obvious option would be to become more vocal and active in your local bar association. Do not simply attend functions related to your practice area alone. On the contrary, you will likely find people who can offer services and skills different than your own in unrelated practice areas! This is also true with CLE classes. Assuming you have not yet met your CLE requirements for the year (or even if you have), you could sign up for a class that is unrelated to your practice, and use it as an opportunity to meet new attorneys who are in the same situation as yourself.
Another thought is to use www.lawcrossing.com! It is free to every employer to post a job. Well, think of yourself as an employer! Be honest in your description of what you are trying to achieve. An example of such a job posting: ''Solo practitioner with business litigation practice from the Class of 1999 is trying to start a firm. Looking for talented senior level attorneys with a minimum of $50,000 in portable business to join forces and build upon our talents and grow a business.''
Lastly, once you have decided to start a firm, make sure everyone you have ever met knows about this decision! Make sure to get in touch with old colleagues you have worked with who have since left the firm, law school friends, family, business friends, family friends, old firm clients, etc. You could go as far back as a law school internship or externship, or even as far as a high school or college summer job. It is also important to get in touch with your old firm (even if it hurts your pride a little). Firms often have to turn away work for a number of reasons (e.g., case is too small, client conflict, requires too low of a billing rate), and may want to recommend you. Before you know you will have developed more clients and built upon your business. It will take years to double your business, but be patient and consistent.
There are lots and lots of listings. It's the best service of it's kind that I have seen. William
Facts
LawCrossing Fact #165: Go through our job listings to see what’s really going on out there in the job market!
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