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WEEKLY RECRUITER SPEAK
The Problem with Contract Work [by Jennifer McKee, Esq.] This week, our recruiters discuss the problems that can arise in an attorney’s search for a permanent position when his or her resume contains contract work - and, surprisingly, there are quite a few.
We often hear from attorneys with whom
Unfortunately, top law firms tend to look
cumstances, highly qualified attorneys have
we are working that they are contemplating
down on contract work simply because it
no choice but to do contract work while they
doing contract work while they look for per-
is contract work. This is true even if a firm
look for a permanent position; financial reali-
manent employment. Generally, these are at-
hires contract attorneys; partners and hiring
ties may dictate it. But if you have the means
torneys who have worked for a while at a law
coordinators generally view the contract
to avoid contract work, you will increase your
firm, but have been laid off or have relocated.
attorneys they hire as not up to par for per-
chances of making a lateral move to a top
They are thinking about doing contract work
manent hiring. Moreover, firms know that,
firm. Moreover, if you must do contract work,
for one or more of the following reasons:
with rare exceptions, contract work does not
try to limit the number of firms and projects
provide the kind of stimulating work that will
with which you become involved. This will
• They need the money that contract work
allow an attorney to maintain or upgrade his
lessen the likelihood of conflicts with the
will provide to support themselves during
or her legal skills; the work often is rote and
firm that you hope to join on a permanent
their job search;
unchallenging.
basis.
• They believe that contract work will allow them to keep up their skills; and/or
Thus, if a hiring contact at a prestigious law
• They believe that firms will view their
firm to which you are applying sees that you
contract work favorably, or at least neutrally,
are doing-or have done-contract work, they
when evaluating their application for perma-
are less likely to be interested in you. This
nent employment.
may not be fair, but it is the reality.
Many of these attorneys are surprised to
Another problem with contract work is that
learn that we advise our candidates to avoid
it increases the likelihood that you will have
doing contract work if at all possible.
a conflict with the firm to which you have applied for a permanent position. Conflicts
Why do we advise against contract work for
checks are a routine and necessary part
our candidates? Because it makes them less
of any law firm hiring decision. While each
marketable.
firm’s conflicts check procedure varies somewhat, you generally should be prepared
The attorneys with whom we work are not
to provide a list of all clients for whom you
average; they are highly qualified, with
have performed legal work in the past three
strong academic credentials and excellent
to five years. This includes contract work.
law firm experience. They are not seeking
How unfortunate it would be if a firm was
average positions with average firms; they
unable to make you an offer because you did
are looking to take their careers to the high-
some temporary contract work for a client
est level with a top law firm. The positions to
that has a conflict with one of the firm’s
which they aspire are highly competitive. The
clients! (Obviously, the chances of contract
firms receive scores of resumes from stellar
work causing a conflict increase exponen-
candidates, and are able to be very selec-
tially if you work as a contract attorney for
tive in deciding whom to interview and hire.
more than one firm.)
Therefore, a candidate’s resume should be as “clean” and compelling as possible.
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Of course, we understand that in certain cir-