Entry-level legal job market for an out-of-towner? (Seattle: attorney, bankruptcy)

[ktbiz21]

I'm considering trying for a job at the U of Washington 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). She, however, is pretty open to switching to related fields, as long as she can work in an area of law that is code-based and allows her to have rewarding relationships with clients personally (don't ask me any more details, I'm just a scientist! ).

So my question is this: How is the job market for entry-level attorney positions around the Seattle area? 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.

[vandygirl]

Originally Posted by ktbiz21

How is the job market for entry-level attorney positions around the Seattle area? 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.

As someone who did what your girlfriend is proposing to do, I can tell you that it's tough to get a job in this market. The best thing she can do is focus on passing the bar. If she takes a local law review course here (like Rigos), she'll be able to network with local law school grads who may have more info about the field here than she does. Passing the bar is paramount. You can't get an attorney job anywhere these days if you are not licensed. The days of cushy junior associate positions are long gone.

If I were her I'd try craigslist and this site: Seattle Attorney Jobs, Corporate Attorney Jobs, Patent Attorney Jobs, Attorney Legal Jobs, District Attorney Jobs, Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs

The market is good for IP and DUI defense. Construction law and worker's comp are decent for the time being. Indian law is a growing field. Of course, bread and butter cases like bankruptcy, divorce and personal injury are always around. Forgot to mention that landlord/tenant is not a bad area to get one's feet wet.

For an out-of-towner coming into the legal profession here, it's going to be all about networking. The best way to do that is to volunteer with a legal organization like a bar association, law school clinic or legal aid organization. Tell her not to be afraid to go out on her own and hang up her shingle if necessary.

[ktbiz21]

Originally Posted by vandygirl

The days of cushy junior associate positions are long gone.

You aren't kidding...

Originally Posted by vandygirl

If I were her I'd try craigslist and this site: Seattle Attorney Jobs, Corporate Attorney Jobs, Patent Attorney Jobs, Attorney Legal Jobs, District Attorney Jobs, Intellectual Property Attorney Jobs

The market is good for IP and DUI defense. Construction law and worker's comp are decent for the time being. Indian law is a growing field. Of course, bread and butter cases like bankruptcy, divorce and personal injury are always around. Forgot to mention that landlord/tenant is not a bad area to get one's feet wet.

For an out-of-towner coming into the legal profession here, it's going to be all about networking. The best way to do that is to volunteer with a legal organization like a bar association, law school clinic or legal aid organization. Tell her not to be afraid to go out on her own and hang up her shingle if necessary.

This is great advice, thanks a lot!

[vandygirl]

Glad I could help.