Entry-level legal job market in Austin for an out-of-towner? (Dallas: lawyers, home)

[ktbiz21]

I'm considering trying for a job at the U of Texas in a year or so, but a big question mark in the move is how the job market is for my girlfriend. She's currently in the high-middle of her class at a top 30 law school in Boston (BC), and she thinks she's interested in working in trusts & estates law, tax or possibly IP (though with no tech background, IP could be tough). Though, honestly, she'd be thrilled to work as an attorney doing anything.

So my question is this: How is the job market for entry-level attorney positions around Austin? What's it like for an out-of-towner coming in and trying to find positions? Do you know of any good web resources I can steer her to for the job search?

Thanks in advance, this is a great forum and I'm looking forward to hearing from you all.

[Math Commando]

Originally Posted by ktbiz21

I'm considering trying for a job at the U of Texas in a year or so, but a big question mark in the move is how the job market is for my girlfriend. She's currently in the high-middle of her class at a top 30 law school in Boston (BC), and she thinks she's interested in working in trusts & estates law, tax or possibly IP (though with no tech background, IP could be tough). Though, honestly, she'd be thrilled to work as an attorney doing anything.

So my question is this: How is the job market for entry-level attorney positions around Austin? What's it like for an out-of-towner coming in and trying to find positions? Do you know of any good web resources I can steer her to for the job search?

Thanks in advance, this is a great forum and I'm looking forward to hearing from you all.

Don't even waste your time. Colleges in Austin are pumping out way more people than there were jobs available for. Due to this you are dependent on the hook up regardless of how skilled/intellectual you are. You're an outsider so unless you have a year or two worth of living and partying expenses, don't even try it. Notice I said partying expenses. It's not enough to be present. People hire those that they party/user drugs with so you better be moneyed and sociable. That's the hard truth that few will tell you about Austin.

[XLadylawX]

Not good even for entry level Magna *** Laude grads. I have a colleague who is just starting out and he took a major career hit right out of the gate because he wanted to live in his home town (Austin). He did tell me the Dallas market is better and he had even turned down a very lucrative position.

[spelrod]

Originally Posted by XLadylawX

Magna *** Laude

Censored! Someone grab the soap!

[Exiled Texan]

The legal market is tough here. Most folks earn their stripes elsewhere and come here as a seasoned attny with experience that makes you marketable.

[XLadylawX]

Originally Posted by spelrod

Censored! Someone grab the soap!

I know. I even went back and capitalized it but to no avail.

[JERiv]

I agree with the legal market being tough. A lot of very good lawyers end up working at the AG's office for peanuts because they could not find jobs elsewhere.

As in anything other move, it is highly recommended that you make sure you have a job in hand before you make the jump.

[Jennibc]

She'd be competing with UT Law grads. That wouldn't work in her favor as UT is highly rated and many of the new hires will have been summer associates with the firms down here. Without a tech background she isn't likely to find an IP position.

[ktbiz21]

Originally Posted by Jennibc

She'd be competing with UT Law grads. That wouldn't work in her favor as UT is highly rated and many of the new hires will have been summer associates with the firms down here. Without a tech background she isn't likely to find an IP position.

That's a really good point, UT is a good school that graduates a lot of lawyers for the size of the city, and I imagine many of them want to stay on in Austin. That definitely sucks to hear, while I'm not for sure on Austin among the options for cities we're looking at, it always sucks to have your options narrowed by necessity. What fields of law are big in Austin, anyway?

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies, btw. The cold hard truth is always better sooner rather than later.

[ktbiz21]

Originally Posted by XLadylawX

Not good even for entry level Magna *** Laude grads.

You can get a law degree in that?!?