Mid-level Litigation Associate Career Crossroads
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2025 3:47 pm
Long time lurker here on TLS. I was hoping for 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. I want to relocate as soon as possible, because I truly hate the area where I'm living and working.
I went to a non-T14 state flagship school and was on LR. I graduated at the top of my class, but did not do a clerkship. I am only admitted to practice in my current state and have no ties or network in any legal market of any size.
Given this, should I:
A. Look for midlaw jobs in states where I can be admitted on motion.
B. Try to get a federal D. Court or Magistrate clerkship and hope it opens the door to lower V100 biglaw in another region.
C. Something else.
D. Am I screwed.
Would like to keep biglaw as an option going forward and feel like I'm at a crossroads at this point. Would welcome any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks!
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. I want to relocate as soon as possible, because I truly hate the area where I'm living and working.
I went to a non-T14 state flagship school and was on LR. I graduated at the top of my class, but did not do a clerkship. I am only admitted to practice in my current state and have no ties or network in any legal market of any size.
Given this, should I:
A. Look for midlaw jobs in states where I can be admitted on motion.
B. Try to get a federal D. Court or Magistrate clerkship and hope it opens the door to lower V100 biglaw in another region.
C. Something else.
D. Am I screwed.
Would like to keep biglaw as an option going forward and feel like I'm at a crossroads at this point. Would welcome any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks!