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Alternative Legal Careers

Lawyers looking for alternatives to traditional law practices

Network Leader: Rebecca Vandiver

Networks > Alternative Legal Careers

Benita Talati Rebecca - the dilemna I face right now is that I have an interview on Monday for a non-legal position...and I want to practice law. I don't mind taking a temporary break while the market sorts ...MoreRebecca - the dilemna I face right now is that I have an interview on Monday for a non-legal position...and I want to practice law. I don't mind taking a temporary break while the market sorts itself out but I'm afraid this might hurt me when it does. Advice/suggestions welcome.

9 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Rebecca Vandiver: Benita,
I must have missed this when you sent it - my apologies! At this point you may have already accepted the job so let me know where ...MoreBenita,
I must have missed this when you sent it - my apologies! At this point you may have already accepted the job so let me know where things stand so I can give appropriate advice.
Thanks
5 weeks ago

Benita Talati: Rebecca,
no worries. I ended up not even going to the interview...did my homework and realized the position was a scam. However, I did get ...MoreRebecca,
no worries. I ended up not even going to the interview...did my homework and realized the position was a scam. However, I did get a job as an associate for a firm and I start next week!
5 weeks ago

Rebecca Vandiver In case you missed it, here are some helpful websites for alternative legal jobs: MoreIn case you missed it, here are some helpful websites for alternative legal jobs: http://rebeccavandiver.com/blog/?p=409

5 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Benita Talati Thanks Rebecca! Having interned at an employment discrim - plaintiffs firm these past few months, I know in my heart that I want to work in this arena and even found out that their professional ...MoreThanks Rebecca! Having interned at an employment discrim - plaintiffs firm these past few months, I know in my heart that I want to work in this arena and even found out that their professional assoc affiliate in my state has an event that I can go to next week.

9 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Rebecca Vandiver Benita, congratulations on passing the bar! That makes sense. If that is the case, I absolutely would focus on doing everything you can to stand out in the employment arena and network as much as ...MoreBenita, congratulations on passing the bar! That makes sense. If that is the case, I absolutely would focus on doing everything you can to stand out in the employment arena and network as much as possible. When networking offer to do something in return so it is a two way street. Perhaps you could offer to help a lawyer write an article for the bar magazine. Depending on where you are, the market could be saturated but if you know this is what you want to do stay involved in employment.

17 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Rebecca Vandiver Nathan, the most effective networking I did in law school was contacting various law school and undergrad alumni in areas I was interested in and setting up lunch meetings - not going to events. ...MoreNathan, the most effective networking I did in law school was contacting various law school and undergrad alumni in areas I was interested in and setting up lunch meetings - not going to events. That said, events for alumni and events on campus were more effective than going to CLE's were lawyers aren't expecting to see law students.

17 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Rebecca Vandiver This week's profile of a lawyer in an alternative legal career: From Skadden to legal nonprofit to Vice President of Film Production, LLC MoreThis week's profile of a lawyer in an alternative legal career: From Skadden to legal nonprofit to Vice President of Film Production, LLC http://www.rebeccavandiver.com/blog/

17 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Nathan Johnson What would you all say were the most effective types of events for networking both during and after law school?

18 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Benita Talati Hi Rebecca,
Sorry I didn't respond right away but I was waiting to find out my Bar results. I passed it so I would absolutely love to practice law yet in my heart, I know employment law is ...MoreHi Rebecca,
Sorry I didn't respond right away but I was waiting to find out my Bar results. I passed it so I would absolutely love to practice law yet in my heart, I know employment law is what I truly want to do. Thus, finding a way to stay in the area of employment law using my legal background in this economy would be fine with me even if not directly practicing at a firm. Does that make sense?

18 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

Rebecca Vandiver Hi, I'm Rebecca, a lawyer and career coach who helps lawyers transition careers. www.rebeccavandiver.com

20 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers

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Rebecca Vandiver: Benita, I think that if you want to practice law, I would encourage you to focus on practicing law and not transitioning to HR just yet. ...MoreBenita, I think that if you want to practice law, I would encourage you to focus on practicing law and not transitioning to HR just yet. Employment law firms (both on the plaintiff and defendent side) have not been as affected by the recession (partly because people are suing over wrongful termination more). It may be easier to get a job at a firm that handles plaintiffs employment work than a large employment boutique which operates more like a big law firm. Does this help? Rebecca
19 weeks ago

Rebecca Vandiver: Benita, to follow up (since I ran out of space), I would probably need to know more about your situation and what your experience is. That being ...MoreBenita, to follow up (since I ran out of space), I would probably need to know more about your situation and what your experience is. That being said, more companies are concerned with the legal implications of the decisions HR makes today, so I think you could pitch yourself well in an interview for an HR position. I guess the question is: would you rather be practicing any type of law or working with employment related issues? If it is the employment arena you love, I'd pursue that. Rebecca
19 weeks ago

Rebecca Vandiver Had an interesting conversation yesterday with a former corporate lawyer who now sells tax credit financing to independent films - interesting stuff - half her job is law (drafting documents, ...MoreHad an interesting conversation yesterday with a former corporate lawyer who now sells tax credit financing to independent films - interesting stuff - half her job is law (drafting documents, etc.) and half is on set of the films (all based in New Orleans, as this is a Louisiana law that gives tax credits for spending money in Louisiana to film there). Shows that you have to have your ears open to find out about opportunities like this.

20 weeks ago from Alternative Legal Careers