attorney online how to switch areas

1. What are your reasons for switching?

Your first job as an attorney or paralegal/legal support professional shapes what future roles you qualify for. Depending on the field and your skill set, you may have to learn an entirely different facet of the law or completely different procedures. Changing firms is more common.

2. Are you comfortable taking a possible step backwards?

Another aspect to consider: Employers pay more for specialized knowledge, and the jobs may not be out there for candidates without the requisite work history.

3. Do you possess skills and expertise that will transfer to a new role?

Perform a skills and experience audit. Look at the specialties that pique your interest and what tools you already have in your kit. For example, it’s safe to say that there’s not much overlap between personal injury and tax law, but some of those skills would likely easily transfer to general litigation and healthcare.

4. Have you researched the hottest practice areas?

If you’re shifting your focus, why not consider an area that’s got some heat? Here are some in-demand fields, gleaned from Robert Half Legal's Salary Guide and Future Law Office research:

5. Do you need to obtain some expert legal career advice?

Confused about career transitions? Seek the advice of a mentor or career counselor. Also contact a recruiter who has experience in placing legal professionals; he or she can give you a realistic assessment of what legal jobs you qualify for and help find a suitable job in your desired field.

Why do attorneys switch practice areas?

Attorneys who chose to switch practice areas for the right reasons most often do so because they realize that they are not suited for the particular practice area they are in. It is imperative that you thoroughly evaluate the reasons why you want to switch practice areas.

What is the most important aspect of switching practice areas?

However, as you consider the different types of law you could change to, the most important aspect involving the switching of practice areas is the question of who you are specifically. An important aspect to remember in all of this discussion is that switching the type of law you practice in should not be a decision taken lightly.

Should I retire early or switch practice areas?

Early retirement, however, should not be a prime motivation for switching practice areas. Some litigators, moreover, are initially mesmerized by courtroom drama – or perhaps by the personalities of famous trial lawyers such as David Boies, F. Lee Bailey, Gerry Spence, or Johnnie Cochran.

Can I switch firms to join a new practice area?

Additionally, simply switching firms to join a new practice area may not always be appropriate either. For example, you may be able to switch practice areas within the confines of your own firm. If this is possible, you should not enlist the aid of a legal recruiter.

Can I switch practice areas?

Your ability to switch practice areas will depend upon your academic background, the length of time you have practiced, the law firm you are with, the condition of the legal job market, the market demand of the practice areas you want to leave and enter, your geographic location, and perhaps pure luck.

Can I become a lawyer and join a law firm?

In a lot of respects, becoming a lawyer and joining law firm practice areas require an insane amount of time and commitment. Most attorneys interview for summer-associate jobs, take the best summer job in the field of law they can get, and join a particular firm without much thought as to what practice area they will be in.

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks.

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What does a good attorney know?

A good attorney not only knows the law, but also knows how to explain it to non-lawyers. We are supposed to be “counselors of the law” after all. Lawrence & Associates practices in only four areas of the law – personal injury, bankruptcy, workers’ compensation, and social security – because that is what we know. We won’t take a criminal or family law claim, because that’s not where our expertise lies. Other firms are not as disciplined, and can’t turn away a good case even if they don’t know how to do it. If your attorney can’t answer your questions, or the answers don’t make any sense, it may be time to get a second opinion.

What happens if a law firm calls you back for days?

If no one at the law firm is calling you back for days at a time, this is inexcusable and the attorney should be terminated. However, there are some things to think about that might be factors to consider.

What happens if an attorney is indicted for ethical infractions?

Some ethical infractions result in the loss of a law license too. If your attorney is facing a criminal indictment or ethical hearing, they have other things on their mind and you may want to begin looking for new counsel immediately.

What does it mean when an attorney asks for medical records?

The attorney is asking the client to get his or her own medical records after the contract is signed, or is asking the client to pay the costs of a medical opinion out of pocket: If your attorney asks you to do either of these things, just find a new attorney immediately.

What is the role of paralegals in law?

Paralegals are to a law office what nurses are to a doctor’s office, and one of their functions is communication with clients on a day-to-day basis while attorneys are in court, in depositions, or inspecting accident scenes.

Why was Attorney A fired?

For example, let’s say Attorney A is fired by his client because he was moving too slowly for the client’s taste, or lost some paperwork the client sent in. This could be shoddy work, but it doesn’t rise to the level of misconduct. The client then goes to Attorney B, who successfully resolves the case.

Do bankruptcy attorneys get paid by the hour?

It’s no extra money to the client, but each attorney gets only a portion of the whole. For bankruptcy, the answer could be a little different. Bankruptcy attorneys are paid by the hour, although we often quote a flat rate for our fees because we know about how many hours are required to file a typical bankruptcy.