“Irina, if I don’t make a change this year, I’m out of time. I’m doomed.”

His voice trembled, and I can see tears welled up in his eyes.

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Jason (not his/her real name) is a criminal lawyer with over 4 years of experience under his belt.

He’s been the lead counsel in multiple Court of Appeal cases.

From DUI to murder, he’s done it all.

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He also owns a successful criminal law firm with a juicy book of business.

People see him as a successful and well-respected lawyer.

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“I feel like a failure,” Jason clenched his fist.

“You know, after indicating I am “Open to Work” on LinkedIn, I was delighted to have received calls from many recruiters.”

“But when I told them I was looking for a corporate commercial associate position, they told me they can’t help.”

“Am I nothing aside from being a criminal lawyer?” Jason finished his drink and let out a long sigh.

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When Jason was studying law, he aspired to become a corporate commercial lawyer.

After graduating from law school, Jason applied for articling positions and received an offer from a criminal law firm.

“I have never thought of becoming a criminal lawyer,” Jason said.

“But I needed to get licensed as soon as possible. I’ve got student loans to pay.”

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Jason was petrified at his first appearance in court (not as a client).

After attending numerous hearings, he realized he was a good litigator and felt a sense of fulfillment solving clients’ problems.

Two years ago, his entrepreneurial spirit kicked in, and he started his own criminal law practice.

His venture was smooth sailing -

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Until one day, he was having lunch with a corporate lawyer and his friend told him,

“This week was amazing. We completed a multi-million dollar acquisition for a client!”  

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The conversation acted as a wake up call. Jason couldn’t focus for the rest of the day. His inner voice kept reminding him of his dream to become a corporate commercial lawyer.

He felt stuck in a limbo.

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Rumour has it that the “golden years” for lawyers to switch areas of practice is within 1-3 post-call years of practice.

If you miss the “golden years”, you’re considered as an old dog who can’t learn new tricks, and an expensive one.

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Please don’t fall into this mindset trap.

Think of this instead:

I am an experienced lawyer with a curious mind and a humble heart, and I have a lot to offer.

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Before making up your mind to pivot,  don’t forget to speak with friends whom you secretly want to swap role with to get a glimpse of your desired practice.

Ask them how their work days look like, the types of work they handle, and the challenges they commonly face.

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You could also speak with a career coach. A career coach has already spoken with hundreds of lawyers so you don’t have to.

As you speak with a coach, you might realize that although you love helping people struggling in difficult situations, the daily dramas family lawyers face are too much for your mental health.

Instead, immigration law might be a fit, and you wouldn’t know about it if you’ve only spoken with family lawyers!

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If you’ve done your due diligence and decided to embark on your career transition journey, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and make your dream comes true!

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Here are some tips on how to successfully pivot your practice area and show employers you can bring a lot to the table:

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Highlight Your Transferable Skills and Experience

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If you’ve been practising commercial litigation but want to switch to corporate transactional work, chances are you probably have done some contract reviews and negotiations.

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Review the job description in detail. Ask yourself,

“What type of skills are required for this position? Do I have those skills? If yes, how can I explain them in my resume?”

Make sure you provide examples to demonstrate the complexity and nature of your work.

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Showcasing your skills that fit the job is only the base of the cupcake. It doesn’t make you stand out. You have to add the icing on the cake by…

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Explain How You Can Add Value to the Firm

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At the end of the day, employers are looking for someone who can help them generate more revenue and make their jobs easier.

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Are you a rainmaker? Did you successfully brought in certain amount of revenue to the firm that you’re proud of? Do you have a portable book of business?

Have you trained junior lawyers, articling students, or support staff?

Were you involved in marketing? Did you run a professional blog for the firm? Have you organized events for the firm?

Again, don’t forget to provide examples because talk is cheap.

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After suggesting these tips to Jason, he rolled his eyes and sighed even longer.

“Those tips might be helpful for others but not for me,” He said.

“Look, I practice criminal law, and many business firms don’t do criminal. My book of business doesn’t provide value to them.”

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I ordered another round of drinks then looked Jason in the eye and said,

“How bad you want to practice corporate law?”

“Bad enough that I dreamt about it in my sleep,” Jason said. “Some of my clients ask me if I can help them incorporate a company. I desperately wanted to say ‘yes’ but I can’t!”

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“Jason, what if you can bring those clients to a firm where you can help them incorporate their businesses?”  I asked.

I saw a spark of hope in Jason’s eyes and he replied, “You know what, actually quite a lot of clients have asked me that.”

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Some areas of law are easier to pivot into than others. If you’re an extreme case like Jason, your journey might be a Triathlon instead of a 5K charity run.

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And I have more tips for you…

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Be Creative

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It might be hard for Jason to jump straight into corporate law. He’s not familiar with civil procedure.

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But Jason has handled quite a few white-collar crimes. To get his foot into the civil procedure system, he could consider switching his practice into commercial litigation, then gradually transition into corporate commercial law.

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Jason can also show employers his passion and dedication in practicing corporation commercial law by taking courses.

Some law schools and organizations offer individual courses specifically for practitioners to gain practical knowledge in the fields (e.g. Osgoode Certificate Programs and 4L Academy).

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Although this is not a direct flight to your dream practice, it can still get you to your destination with a little detour.

But are there direct flights instead? Yes!

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Be Resourceful

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When I told my business coach my coaching niche is helping lawyers. He said, “Oh, that’s great! Lawyers love networking, they’re well-connected.”

A lawyer once told me all lawyers are salesmen, and I wholeheartedly agree with him.

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We don’t code laws behind the scenes and let the beautiful website represent itself;

we are the front faces of what clients’ see and interact with.

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Sales and marketing are essential skills for lawyers, especially when you’re promoting yourself to someone considering investing in you.

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Check your LinkedIn connections, if you see your law school classmates, old colleagues, and old bosses there, reach out to them. Call your friends and tell them your story.

Chances are they might know someone who is hiring.

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Pitch yourself to firms, even they’re not hiring. Some firms’ career pages accept applications year-round.

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Why? Because the most important thing employers look for is personality fit.

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Employers can train your skills, but they cannot (and should not) alter your personality.

I have seen employers hire less experienced candidates because they really enjoyed the interviews.

I also know quite a few people who created new roles for themselves by reaching out to firms.

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Let’s get your name out there, shall we?

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There are more tips but my post is running too long. If you would like to share your insights with me regarding this challenging topic, email me at irinamui@muicoaching.com and let’s chat!

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Meet the Author

Irina is a career coach passionate about helping lawyers find jobs that they love. She believes every lawyer deserves a happy and fulfilling practice.

To learn more about Irina, connect with her on LinkedIn and visit muicoaching.com for more information on her coaching services.