<p>Hi folks, I have a question about BigLaw and public service...</p>
<p>Well, you see, I've always had a fancy for being a prosecutor, but I was wondering if having such a career would eventually harm career prospects in BigLaw? I heard that the big firms liked people straight out of graduate school (probably a misconception, but still). I was thinking of working as an ADA for a few years before going into business...</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Reputation is that it's easier to move BIGLAW --> anything else than vice versa.</p>
<p>THE golden path to being a litigator at at top firm is to clerk for a federal judge(s) for two years, then join the US Attorney's office, particularly in the Southern District of New York for a few years, and then go on to a major firm. Working in the criminal division is a bit more prestigious than the civil division. It's a bit harder to do it coming out of an ADA (assistant district attorney) job, but if it's with a well respected office, it's still possible. </p>
<p>Other folks work in a big firm for 2 or 3 years and then go to the US Attorney's Office for a few years--it's usually a minimum 2 year commitment--and then go back to big law. </p>
<p>It's hard to get the same sort of trial experience at biglaw. MANY of the top litigators are former prosecutors, especially AUSA's.</p>