Choosing a practice area

Do some soul-searching, experts say

—By Lori Craig

Before law students embark on their law firm job searches, they need to do some soul searching, according to attorneys who specialize in helping other attorneys find the perfect job.

Two representatives of attorney search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) spoke to USC Law students Oct. 22. The presentation, sponsored by the Career Services Office, focused on the questions law students should ask themselves before selecting a practice area.

“There are more than 50 practice areas open to you, and you’re going to hear pros and cons constantly,” said Courtney Goldstein, regional practice manager of MLA’s associate group. “One thing you need to look at is more of an internal perspective: Which one of these areas really resonates with you?”

Goldstein, along with Michelle L. Fivel, managing director for MLA’s associate practice group, told students to start thinking early on about what really drives them. Attorneys’ options are most open just after law school, they said.

The questions posed to students were designed to produce answers that pointed to a few areas of practice. For example, if you prefer to facilitate rather than create, don’t want to face moral conundrums in practice and enjoy being part of the client’s “team,” you may want to lean toward corporate law.

Certain areas of practice — appellate, litigation — might be more appealing to attorneys interested in creating things, while other areas — corporate, real estate transactional — might better suit those who want to facilitate.

Also consider whether you want to be an expert or a generalist, Fivel said. “Do you want to know a little bit about everything or do you want to learn everything about one area of practice?”

If you’re OK with facing moral questions, take a look at appellate, environmental, or family law. Or, perhaps head toward tax or administrative if you prefer to steer clear of ethical issues.

Some other things for students to think about: Do you prefer to deal with people (employment, entertainment, family, trusts and estates); things (asset finance, intellectual property prosecution, conservation easements); ideas (administrative, appellate, tax); or business (antitrust, bankruptcy, healthcare)?

The presenters also talked about billable hours and what they really mean as far as time spent in the office. On average, associates must bill 1,900 to 2,100 hours a year. This equals eight to 10 hours each day.

“To bill eight hours a day, you really need to be in the office 10 hours a day,” Fivel said. One of her biggest billable-hour years was 2,400 hours, she said, during which she regularly worked 12-hour days. “But what that also means was that I learned tons about cutting-edge [bankruptcy] issues. It can really pay off if you put in some hard hours early in your career.”

A handout that includes the 10 questions to ask before choosing a practice area may be picked up in the Career Services Office, Room 110.