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Describe your overall job searching strategy after graduation, or after the bar exam. After I took the bar, I spoke to my some of my fellow GGU alumni and was able to land an interview for a post-bar clerk position at Moss & Hough, an employment law firm in San Francisco. I stayed there for a little over a year as I built up my experience, then I began to apply to job postings online. After about four months of searching and applying, I was able to secure my current position at the Ellis Law Group. So in a weird way, I took completely different paths to secure my past two jobs.
What is your position/job right now and what specifically do you do there?
Currently, I'm an Associate Attorney at the Ellis Law Group. Our firm is a bit eclectic, but I focus on business and commercial law, specifically defending clients in claims involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. I also dabble in legal malpractice cases, both plaintiff and defense side.
As a firm that only has ten attorneys, I get a lot of hands on experience with my cases. A regular day for me consists of drafting motions or memos on any current cases I have. I will bounce any questions and ideas I have with my supervising partner or managing partner, and they will give me feedback or directions I should take on a particular matter. Additionally, with the small nature of our firm, I do get a lot of client interaction, which I do enjoy.
I also do enjoy drafting dispositive motions, such as motions for summary judgment and motions to dismiss. And hopefully in the near future, I will be conducting my own depositions.
Any last words/advice for students and recent grads?
Law Students: Get involved in law school. If that's too much, connect with your fellow law students. You'll be surprised how handy a network of law school friends can be. Whenever I had legal questions, had a friend who needed legal work done for them, or just needed someone to vent to, I was always able to rely on my network of friends I developed in law school. I've been able to refer cases to friends, refer loved ones to good lawyers, and was able to get a few internships/jobs through my law school network. Develop your relationships with your law school colleagues now, and keep in touch after graduation.
Recent Graduates: Be open minded to any opportunities that come your way. I love my current job, but when I graduated I never thought I would be doing legal malpractice or defending class actions. Push your boundaries a little bit and you may find yourself enjoying an area of law you didn't think you would.
Also, don't get discouraged if you don't have a job right after graduation. It may seem daunting to apply and find a job right out of law school, but I always believed that luck is the residue of hard work. Use your network of friends and don't be afraid to canvas online job postings. Good luck to you guys!
