“Choosing Small, Choosing Smart: Job Search Strategies for Graduates” A Webinar Special Presentation American University Washington College of Law September 30, 2009 By Donna Gerson

The Rules Have Changed Greater emphasis on lateral hiring. Compensation at some large firms will be rolled back. Lock-step promotion will be eliminated at some large firms. Fewer equity partners will be named. Greater emphasis on practical skills. Greater emphasis on client-getting as a new lawyer. Professionalism is more important than ever before!

Definition of Small Firm Typically, “small firm” is defined as a firm with 50 or fewer lawyers. This definition will vary by geographic region. Branch offices of large firms are not, by definition, small firms

Washington, D.C. Lawyer Statistics The Lawyer Statistical Report, American Bar Foundation (2000) Total D.C. lawyers: 50,914 State population/lawyer ratio: 11/1 Male: 66.4% Female: 33.6% Median age: - 43 years old Private practice: 47.5% Solo practice: 20.3% Small firm (2 – 50 lawyers): 21.3% Federal government employment: 41.1%

Why work at a small firm? More responsibility early in one’s career Use your entrepreneurial skills Promotion and compensation

Median Salary Information Firms of 2-10 lawyers………..$52,800 Firms of lawyers……....$65,000 Firms of lawyers……...$75,000 Salaries will vary by locale Source: National Association for Law Placement Associate Salary Survey (Class of 2007)

What do small firms seek? Experience –Clinics –Programs for academic credit –Paid work –Volunteer work A desire to work in a particular city or town Intelligence Bar passage

WHEN DO SMALL FIRMS HIRE? When the need arises The self-initiated job search

Narrow Your Search Limit yourself to no more than three locations Why location matters –Client-getting –Retention Practice areas – creating parameters

Resources Directory of Small Firms Symplicity Public Interest Directory of private law firms (by state and city) – pia/docs/guide-private-pi-firms.pdf Bar Association Directories

More Resources Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide (NALP) Internet sites: Monster, Craigslist, Emplawyernet Directories of non-profit organizations Internet Searches

Martindale-Hubbell LEXIS/NEXIS ® Searches Reference – Martindale-Hubbell Listings, All Terms and connectors state (columbia) and firm-size < 50 and practice (tax) There will be repeats, etc. in your list of search results. You may find solo practitioners. Martindale-Hubbell is not a complete directory of all lawyers.

More on Martindale-Hubbell You can search by law school, college, languages, zip code Another example: city (“new york”) and law-school (american) and firm-size < 50 and practice (tax)

Networking Career Services Office Law school professors Former legal employers Former employers generally Family Neighbors

Networking Friends Community and social organizations Bar associations (mandatory & voluntary) –Committees, Divisions, Sections Law school alumni/ae associations College alumni/ae associations Online resources: LinkedIn.com, Facebook

Bar Associations American Bar Association Law Student Division Bar Association of the District of Columbia – Other state volunteer bar associations Specialty and affinity bar associations

Contacting Small Firms Address to a specific person – never “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” (unless it’s a blind job posting) Emphasize what matters to small firms: –Experience and skills –Desire to work in a small firm –Entrepreneurial skills

Dealing with Grades Selected Grades: Torts (A); Contracts (B+); Civil Procedure (B+) Legal Research and Writing Grade: A Tax and Related Courses: Taxation (A); Federal Tax Law Seminar (A-); Independent Study, “Maryland Estate Tax Law” (A); Securities Law (B+)

Follow Up: Phone or within 5-7 business days. If you are not rejected…write again.

Interview Tips Respond promptly Conduct research Anticipate objections Rehearse - Schedule a mock interview Write a thank you promptly (within 24 hours)

Conclusion Small firms can be great places to work You will find a job but it will take time, energy, and effort on your part Network, network, network! Partner with career services to get the advice and coaching you need