Career Strategy

Career Transition

Many candidates fear that by choosing either public interest or private sector employment, they are forever locked into that choice. Indeed, some believe the myth that lawyers cannot transition from public interest to private practice, or vice versa.

Lawyers can and do transition between the worlds of private practice and public interest. Successful transitions, however, take planning and effort. Here are several steps that anyone contemplating this career transition should take.

From Private to Public

If you are considering moving from the private sector to public interest employment, you should consider your financial needs. You will have to save and spend according to a plan. Public interest employment may pay significantly less than private sector positions. If you save money or limit your debts or other financial obligations, you will have more flexibility when you consider switching to public interest employment.

If you are interested in public interest work, you should be doing pro bono work. To be considered a serious candidate by a public interest organization, you must demonstrate a commitment to public interest work. Doing pro bono work is one of the best (but not the only) ways to do this.

Doing pro bono will also put you closer to potential job leads. For example, by working closely with public interest organization staff attorneys, you will develop recommenders in the public interest community. In addition, you will hear sooner about job opportunities within the public interest community. The recommendation of these attorneys will carry great weight with their fellow public interest lawyers.

Get Involved in the Public Interest Community in Your Area of Practice

In addition to doing pro bono work in this area, attend conferences and other public interest gatherings, join committees in which private sector and public interest lawyers work together, write articles for newsletters and journals about your chosen area of the law. Many public interest employers do not have the resources to publicize positions. If you know them and they know you, it increases the likelihood you will hear of an opening and be considered by them. In addition, most public interest employers do not have the resources to hire all of the staff that they need. If you know the public interest community and the needs of the clients they serve, you may be able to craft a proposal for a project, which will be funded by a foundation or fellowship.

From Public to Private

Public interest attorneys frequently move to the private sector. Examples of transitions from public interest to the private sector commonly occur in areas involving litigation, immigration, employment or labor, environmental, health care, and family law. Many other public service fields provide valuable skills and expertise for transition anywhere in the private sector. Private law firms often value the direct experience that public interest lawyering provides when considering an applicant in the field. Remember: much of what new attorneys learn in their first years is skill more than substance. The lawyering skills you will learn as a public service lawyer are transferable to other legal job settings.

Be prepared to confront the concern that public interest or government practice affords little formal training. Keep in mind that public interest attorneys do not receive lower quality training; their training is just different. One of the greatest benefits of public interest work is that it provides immediate hands-on experience and a substantial amount of responsibility. In many public interest jobs new attorneys are needed to act as advocates as soon as they step on the job. While large private firms may provide more classroom seminars and in-house training programs than public interest organizations, the training process of a new public interest attorney involves actual experience, learning by doing. For example, many litigators at firms rarely see the inside of a courtroom, whereas public interest litigators are there regularly. The same is also true for attorneys providing counseling or transactional work. Public service work provides tremendous opportunity for professional growth and achievement early in your legal career.

In addition, develop strong writing skills by handling complex matters, or by writing practical or scholarly articles, handbooks, or other pieces for legal publication. Some private practitioners may assume that public interest attorneys do not get the opportunity to write complex and challenging legal briefs, agreements, or other materials. Debunk this myth by developing a series of excellent writing samples.

Whether you are in a legal services organization or a government agency, you must work with private attorneys on matters of mutual interest. Always put your best foot forward in every situation. Tell your contacts of your interest and ask them for guidance about private employment opportunities. If they know of an opening-and think well of your work and professionalism-they may recommend you for a position.

Also, consider joining Bar Association groups or other community organizations that attract attorneys from all sectors of practice-private and public. Branch out by practice area, diversity, or other facet of your background. The more private attorneys you add to your professional network, the better prepared you will be for your private sector job search.

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