What To Do if You’re Laid Off From Your Law Firm

Law firm lay-offs put qualified professionals out of work and suddenly on the job market. For the individual lawyer, the experience might be unexpected and jarring. Whether you are a senior lawyer or a younger associate attorney laid off, there are several steps you can take to find your next role. 

Reflect Upon the Job

A lay-off is an opportunity to take a beat. Consider what kind of job you want. It’s likely the lay-off was driven by firm-wide reasons out of your control, like losing a big client. Your legal talent still has value to the job market and this period can be the chance to take a new direction.

If you’re a senior attorney, you might want to shift your area of practice. Perhaps you’re a corporate lawyer in a firm but want to explore in-house opportunities at a non-profit. This period of time gives you the chance to see what’s out there. Lawyers new to the industry might look for a different firm environment, such as a small practice instead of a big firm in order to broaden their experience.   

Revise Your Resume

Create a detailed resume that emphasizes skills and experience. Have your next job in mind as you go through this process. A senior attorney who’s been in the same role for many years should highlight hidden credentials that allow them to transition to a different kind of work. A less-seasoned lawyer might comb their past projects to highlight what they bring to the table in any role. 

All attorneys, perhaps especially younger associates, might want to tailor their resumes to what the market demands. Perhaps there’s an influx of regulatory work or biomedical patent litigation. An attorney who can’t afford to stay unemployed might pull out that work they did for the drug company or the startup who just had an initial public offering (IPO).  

Spread the Word on Social Media

Sites like LinkedIn are where members of the profession keep tabs on each other. It’s common and in some ways expected for professionals to post a note describing their movement away from their former firm. Update your public resume and share your intent to find a new role, preferably with details about what kind of job you’re looking for.

Of course the rules of tact and diplomacy apply here. There’s no need to disparage your former firm, even if you express a desire to do something new. Instead just say you’re going in a different direction and invite direct messages from anyone how might know of an opportunity. 

Speak With Mentors

As a younger attorney, this stage can be particularly helpful. There’s a good chance the people you’ve turned to for advice have also been through a similar transition. They might or might not want to share this experience and you shouldn’t necessarily ask. But they can provide valuable perspective on what a shift like this can mean for your future.

Senior attorneys too can seek advice from trusted colleagues, in particular those who’ve experienced a shift later in their career. What mentors offer is the kind of first-hand perspective that recruiters can lack. They can give you unique advice about your local legal community, like what firms are currently looking for. If they’ve made the transition to an alternative career, they might share information about opportunities, as well as possible obstacles and how to overcome them.

Grow Your Network

Colleagues and mentors don’t come out of thin air. You discover them as you interact with other legal professionals. This is a perfect opportunity to meet new people in the industry. Attend bar association meetings and join voluntary chapters. Use social media to find other networking opportunities. Seeing what organizations others follow is a good starting point. 

While this might sound like advice for younger lawyers, it’s also recommended for senior attorneys. By expanding your presence in the legal community beyond your immediate circle, you’ll learn what’s available on the legal market. If people know you’re looking for a role, they are likely to offer useful tidbits on who’s ready to hire.  

Contact a Recruiter

A word of caution: it’s likely that when you share your transition plans on social media you’ll be flooded with recruiters offering assistance. Instead of signing up with all of them hoping something sticks, carefully choose one agent for your career. Ideally, use a recruiter recommended by someone you trust.

If you’re searching on your own, take a few steps to vet your recruiter. They should specialize in placing lawyers and have experience in the industry. During an introductory meeting, ask about their placement rate and fees. Perhaps most importantly, you should ensure their goals align with yours so they don’t help you land just any job, but the right one.   

Think About Contract Work

While you’re assessing your next move, it might be a good time to sign up with an agency who can match you with short-term professional contracts or consultancies. This is likely most feasible for senior attorneys who have a broader skill set and years of experience. Contracting can keep you active and offer exposure to new professional opportunities. 

Consider an Alternative Career

It’s not uncommon for attorneys to consider leaving practice altogether. This can be a great time to explore other ways to use your legal credentials. Alternative careers for lawyers include legal education, banking or finance, human resources, government, law firm management, legal consulting, and legal writing. 

Try some creative brainstorming to develop ideas of how you can use your skills. Speak with others who are using their law degree in a way other than traditional practice. Your law school’s alumni association might have a list of attorneys who have gone “off the beaten path” with their career. 

Build Your Own Practice

For some attorneys, the best option after lay-off is to go into business for themselves. Starting your own practice can take resources and an entrepreneurial drive, but it comes with the rewards of independence and agency over your work. Marketing your firm is also essential to bring in new clients. Martindale-Avvo specializes in digital marketing for small and solo law firms. Contact us today to see how we can support the next step in your legal career.