For many lateral attorneys, the path to a chosen practice area is often as much about serendipity as it is about strategic planning.
While early career choices may feel circumstantial, building a focused and intentional practice is key to becoming a leader in your field. By taking the time to evaluate crucial aspects of your work—your clients, subject matter, environment, trajectory, and location—you can identify the elements that align with your strengths and aspirations. Here’s how to hone your focus for career success.
One of the most rewarding aspects of legal practice is building relationships with clients. From General Counsels (GCs) of multinational corporations to tech startup founders to individuals facing personal legal battles, the diversity of legal clients is vast.
Reflect on the clients you naturally connect with and the dynamics of these relationships. Do you enjoy acting as a strategic partner to sophisticated GCs who already understand legal nuances? Or do you find fulfillment guiding less experienced clients, such as entrepreneurs or individuals, through unfamiliar legal terrain? Each client type brings unique challenges and rewards—knowing which dynamic excites you is key to finding your niche.
Consider, too, the backgrounds of your clients. Many tech leaders come from engineering backgrounds, fund managers often start as accountants, and GCs at major corporations frequently have BigLaw experience. These shared experiences can serve as a foundation for meaningful professional relationships. If in-house roles are part of your long-term plan, understanding which industries naturally align with your practice can offer clarity on your career trajectory.
Tip: Think about the business lifecycle that resonates with you. Are you inspired by the energy of startups, the stability of mature enterprises, or the strategic challenges of crisis management?
Your enthusiasm for the subject matter you handle can greatly influence your career satisfaction and success. Ask yourself: Does working with tangible assets like real estate or physical infrastructure excite you? Or are you more drawn to abstract complexities, like structuring financial instruments or navigating corporate governance?
If you have a personal connection to a practice area—perhaps a passion for science that draws you to patent law or an empathetic nature that lends itself to employment law—lean into that enthusiasm. Most lawyers in BigLaw focus on commercial life, so it’s worth evaluating which industries or business challenges you connect with most.
Reflection Exercise: Think about what types of cases or projects make time fly. This insight can guide you toward a practice area that feels less like work and more like a calling.
Every practice area fosters a distinct working culture. For instance, real estate teams might thrive on deal-making energy, while appellate practices attract analytical and detail-oriented professionals. Employment law often draws empathetic individuals, whereas finance law may appeal to those with a high tolerance for risk and complexity.
As a lateral attorney, you likely have experience in multiple practice areas. Use this exposure to identify the environments where you feel most energized and supported. Are you more productive in hierarchical and formal settings, or do you excel in collaborative, creative atmospheres? Some practices also show notable gender balances or attract professionals with entrepreneurial mindsets—these cultural nuances may play a role in your comfort and success.
Pro Tip: Observe how your colleagues’ personalities align with their practice areas. This can provide clues about which environments might bring out the best in you.
Your practice area doesn’t just define your day-to-day work—it shapes your career trajectory. Take time to envision what your professional life could look like in 5, 10, or even 20 years within your chosen field.
Research industry rankings and market trends for your practice area. Is demand growing or contracting? Is it known for fast-tracked promotions or tight-knit teams with limited turnover? For example, New York’s elite finance teams often have a 4:1 associate-to-partner ratio, which reflects a challenging yet rewarding path to partnership. Other practices may have a more balanced ratio, making partnership a more achievable—though potentially less lucrative—goal.
Additionally, consider the lateral mobility and in-house opportunities available within your practice area. Are your colleagues moving to high-profile client roles, boutique firms, or prestigious competitors? These trends can provide insight into your long-term prospects.
Actionable Insight: Map out your potential career paths based on the exit opportunities you see in your practice. This can help you assess whether your current trajectory aligns with your ultimate goals.
Your practice area can also influence where you live and the lifestyle you lead. Some areas of law, such as energy or international arbitration, may take you to global hubs like Houston or London. Others, like real estate or employment law, can offer opportunities in virtually any major city.
Consider not only where you want to live but also the type of workplace environment you’d thrive in. For example, working in a fast-paced Manhattan skyscraper differs significantly from practicing law in a more intimate, regional setting. Some practices come with frequent travel, while others provide the stability to become a local pillar of your community.
Key Question: Would you prefer a jet-setting career or one that roots you in a specific city or region? Let your desired lifestyle guide your decision.
Ultimately, the decision to focus your practice area should be an intentional process of observation and reflection. Pay attention to what excites you about your current work. What types of clients, subject matter, and environments bring out your best? Are you energized by your practice’s demands, or do you feel drained?
Be honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and long-term goals. Aligning your practice area with your natural aptitudes and interests will not only enhance your day-to-day satisfaction, but also increase your chances of thriving in a competitive industry.
Focusing your legal practice is about much more than choosing a specialty—it’s about designing a career that aligns with your passions, strengths, and goals. By evaluating your connections with clients, enthusiasm for subject matter, ideal work environment, long-term career aspirations, and preferred geography, you can chart a path that leads to success and fulfillment.
Remember, your career is a mosaic of choices. The more aligned those choices are with your personal and professional strengths, the more likely you are to find yourself thriving in a practice area that feels tailor-made for you. Take the time to focus your practice intentionally, and you’ll be well on your way to the career you deserve.
Further reading: Becoming a Specialist Lawyer