Lawyers on the Move Overcome Obstacles to Relocation

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CAREER CORNER

Lawyers on the Move Overcome Obstacles to Relocation [by Amanda Howe] The American job market is a whirlwind of hiring, outsourcing, and downsizing, particularly in recent years, leaving many lawyers wondering whether it is the right time to attempt a lateral move.

The National Association for Legal Place-

in demand? Which ones are not? According

partners, who often are expected to have

ment (NALP) reveals that lateral hiring

to legal recruiter Lisa Orlandi, who works in

a book of business or other assets. At the

was off 25% between 2001-2002, and this

Los Angeles, “Real estate is a hot practice

same time, more experienced lawyers may

decrease was seen across all firm sizes. The

area right now in Southern California. De-

be better able to move in-house to corpora-

number of entry-level hires also decreased

pending upon where you choose to move to,

tions or government posts.

during this period. This has left many lawyers

different practice areas are more desirable

disenchanted with the profession and wor-

than others.�

ried about job security. Many now question

In general, experts say, the best markets to relocate to are major cities where there is a

whether making they should try to change

Of course, most attorneys are aware of the

large number of firms and the populations

jobs or stay put.

pendulum that swings between the ma-

are transient, such as San Francisco, Los An-

jor distinction of litigation and corporate

geles, New York, Washington, DC, Northern

Whether coping with a layoff or seeking a

practice areas: when one area is booming,

Virginia, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

position at a new firm, making the move as a

the other is stagnant, but particular practice

Some smaller markets such as Seattle,

lateral attorney has its challenges. Attor-

areas are no different.

Arizona, and Phoenix also are amenable to

neys consider switching firms for a variety of

relocating attorneys, legal placement experts

reasons, whether it is billable-hour require-

Litigators are almost always in demand in

ments, practice areas, not getting along with

good and bad economies, but it is more diffi-

note.

co-workers or partners, or a lack of firm

cult for litigators to relocate than other types

Another consideration is what impact reloca-

environment compatibility.

of attorneys, in part due to the proliferation

tion will have on your pocketbook. Salary.

of litigators, experts say. The better the legal

com provides pay ranges in particular geo-

An attorney who is thinking of changing firms

credentials, the easier it will be for a litigator

graphic areas. Attorneys considering relocat-

or practice areas, especially when consider-

to relocate.

ing an out-of-state move, must first deter-

ing also should consider their career goals. A lawyer on partner track faces the chance that

mine which skills and credentials are trans-

Corporate attorneys often find it easier to

changing states and law firms will create

ferable and which ones have to be acquired.

relocate if the economy is strong. When the

setbacks to achieving partner status. Many

The following is a list of essential tips to bear

economy is failing, however, they have a dif-

lawyers who make a lateral move usually

in mind when considering this scenario.

ficult time finding work and may even be laid

have to make sacrifices. This includes start-

off, recruiting experts note.

1 Know the Market

ing with a new firm as a fourth-year associate, instead of a sixth-year associate, making

Particularly transferable are attorneys who

the dream of becoming partner further out of

It is a good idea to do some reconnais-

specialize in less common practice areas,

reach. But if that means better job satisfac-

sance before taking the plunge into an-

such as patent prosecutors, especially those

tion, then it may be worth it.

other jurisdiction. Issues to consider when

with electrical engineering, computer sci-

relocating include salary differentials and

ence, or physical or mechanical engineering

hot practice areas. The American Bar As-

backgrounds, experts note.

sociation maintains a list of state and local

2 Consider Taking the Bar Many attorneys wonder whether they can

bar associations. Get in touch with the local

The timing of a lateral move is also critical.

begin a search without being licensed in the

bar association and find out more about the

Junior associates are usually easier to place

state to which they wish to move. Ms. Orlandi

local legal market. Which practice areas are

in law firms than more senior associates or

stated that corporate attorneys fare better

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CAREER CORNER

in terms of finding new positions without

Out-of-state candidates always face more

and depend largely on the attorney’s reason

initially taking the bar for the state to which

challenges to being hired than their local

for leaving. “If an attorney is leaving the firm

they are applying. On the other hand, it is

competitors. One of the most difficult hurdles

because he or she needs to move for family

crucial for a litigation career, she noted. Of

to overcome is the question, “So why do you

reasons, then generally we leave the door

course, in either case, sitting for the bar will

want to move here?” Matt Dow, Texas hiring

open for that person to come back. If the at-

definitely help. Ms. Orlandi also noted that

partner for Jackson Walker LLP, said that

torney is taking clients from the firm, then it

attorneys can study and sit for the bar with-

the first thing he looks for when interviewing

becomes a business decision,” said Mr. Dow.

out their current employers becoming suspi-

long-distance candidates is local connec-

He advises lawyers to discuss the departure

cious. “Attorneys do it all the time; you’d be

tions. “A good example is an attorney I hired

with the managing partner and decide how

surprised,” she said.

from Connecticut for our Austin office. His

best to notify clients and former clients of

wife needed to move to Texas for work-re-

your departure.

Information on bar admission standards is

lated reasons, and he was able to keep many

available at state bar examiner websites.

of his Connecticut clients because they didn’t

If you are a member in any local bar associa-

Many jurisdictions accept Multistate Bar

care where he worked as long as he got the

tions, notify them, along with your state bar

Exam (MBE) scores that meet minimum

work done,” said Mr. Dow.

association, of your impending move. With a little organization and effort, a legal career

standards, but only three jurisdictions-D.C., Minnesota, and North Dakota--admit an ap-

A remote candidate is at an additional dis-

plicant on this score alone. If you are already

advantage because the interviewing process

licensed in one state and your MBE score

is potentially more costly, and, if hired, a

meets the minimum criteria, you may still

remote candidate presents the employer

have to take a portion of the bar exam in your

with additional expenses, including reloca-

new jurisdiction. Check for reciprocity agree-

tion costs, licensing fees, and the possibil-

ments between jurisdictions and whether or

ity that the candidate will not pass the bar

not you are eligible to be admitted on motion.

on the first try. Mr. Dow said long-distance applicants who invest the time and money

3 Calculate Costs

in getting bar licensed before approaching hiring partners will enhance their chances of

If you do not already have an employer who

attracting potential employers.

will be picking up all your relocation-related expenses, you will need to budget for bar

5 Moving Day

exam and study-course fees, in addition to your moving and cost-of-living expenses.

So you have done your homework and have

Even if you have been practicing for a while,

applied to take the bar exam in your new

a bar exam prep course is not a bad idea.

jurisdiction. Before pulling up stakes and

You may also need to check on the cost of

hitting the road, be sure to include a few pro-

professional liability insurance in your new

fessional housekeeping items on your to-do

jurisdiction because it could differ from your

list. If you are practicing at a firm and your

current policy cost.

name is on the letterhead, make arrangements to have it removed before you go. You

“Don’t expect firms to fly you out for the first

do not want any potential liability issues pop-

interview,” warned Ms. Orlandi. While they

ping up after you are long gone.

usually compensate attorneys for a callback or final interview, first interviews must be

Discuss with your managing partner how he

added to the list of expenses.

or she wants to handle notifying clients of your departure. Mr. Dow said departures at

4 Long-Distance Interviewing

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his firm are handled on case-by-case bases

can be just as portable as other professions.