Career Options for Regional Biglaw Associate
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2025 6:01 pm
Long time lurker on TLS. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice or thoughts on the following situation.
I'm a mid-level litigation associate in regional biglaw: think Pittsburgh/Delaware/Baltimore, and I'm completely fed up with the market I'm in and the dynamics of the local counsel work here, and want to relocate as soon as possible. I truly hate the area where I'm living.
I went to a non T14 law school (think state flagship) and was on law review and was at the top of my class. I have not done a clerkship and don't have any network or ties to speak of to any legal market of any size, and am only admitted to practice in my current state.
Should I:
A. Try to get a fed. D. Court clerkship or magistrate clerkship.
B. Try to get a midlaw job in another legal market somewhere where I can get admitted on motion.
C. Something else.
D. Am I screwed?
Would like to keep biglaw as an option going forward and am unsure what my next career move should be. Would welcome any thoughts.
I'm a mid-level litigation associate in regional biglaw: think Pittsburgh/Delaware/Baltimore, and I'm completely fed up with the market I'm in and the dynamics of the local counsel work here, and want to relocate as soon as possible. I truly hate the area where I'm living.
I went to a non T14 law school (think state flagship) and was on law review and was at the top of my class. I have not done a clerkship and don't have any network or ties to speak of to any legal market of any size, and am only admitted to practice in my current state.
Should I:
A. Try to get a fed. D. Court clerkship or magistrate clerkship.
B. Try to get a midlaw job in another legal market somewhere where I can get admitted on motion.
C. Something else.
D. Am I screwed?
Would like to keep biglaw as an option going forward and am unsure what my next career move should be. Would welcome any thoughts.