Moving to California as an Associate — Important Considerations
As the largest economy in the country, and with a thriving legal market centered in various urban areas throughout the state (i.e., Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Sacramento, etc.), California presents unique opportunities for attorneys interested in transitioning over to the technology or entertainment industries, and related legal work. Though California firms tend to have a lower number of attorneys on average, the legal market has quickly become a top-tier destination for attorneys — including those who lack pre-existing ties to the region. Attorneys interested in handling cutting edge legal work will have no problem securing a position that is suitable for their needs.
If you are an out-of-state attorney interested in making the transition to California as an associate, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the hiring process. Identifying “best fit” positions can be challenging when you lack career networks in the region. As such, it’s important to consult with an experienced California legal recruiter who has the connections necessary to help you identify ideal roles at law firms and in-house departments and assist you through the application and recruitment process.
Foreign Attorney Issues
California is a rather competitive legal industry, in part because foreign attorneys may sit for the Bar Examination and therefore qualify to practice in the state, even without having studied for their full degree the United States. Foreign law students with a legal degree obtained outside of the United States must establish their eligibility for the Bar exam by proving that their degree is the equivalent of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school in the United States. These students must also have at least one year of accredited US legal studies under their belt, however. For further details and clarification on whether you qualify to sit for the Bar examination in California, speak with a qualified recruiter here at Garb Jaffe & Associates, and check out state resources here.
Qualified for the Bar in a Different State
If you have qualified for the bar in a different state and intend to make the transition to a position with a law firm or in-house department where you will be handling California legal issues, you will want to sit for the California Bar exam. It is not strictly necessary, of course, depending on your position. You can become registered in-house counsel, for example, or simply work under the “lead lawyer” on a particular case. If you wait too long to obtain your certification in California, however, you will likely limit your career trajectory somewhat.
Unfortunately, California does not practice reciprocity with other states. As such, your out-of-state bar certification will not carry over. You will have to pass the bar in California in order to qualify for in-state practice (outside of the above exceptions). Generally speaking, it can be a bit more difficult to secure a position without pre-existing California bar certification, but larger firms and in-house departments tend to be more forgiving, so long as you have passed the bar in another, competitive jurisdiction. For example, if you have passed the bar in New York, then it demonstrates to the firm that you have the skillset and qualifications necessary to practice law on a professional level.
Industry Growth Trends in California
According to industry observers, the legal industry in California is projected to grow over the next five years, outpacing growth in competing regions. In a report conducted by Citi Private Bank, in 2017, California law firm revenue grew by 7.2 percent and 5.9 percent (for Northern California and Southern California, respectively), outpacing the national growth average of 4.5 percent. Industry observers have noted that increasing demand is a significant driver behind the recent trend of explosive growth in the California legal industry, with attorney demand tracking economic growth, generally.
Given the data, those looking to enter a vibrant legal market would do well to transition to California, as the California legal industry seems poised to outpace that of other regions for several more years.
Contact a Legal Recruiter at Garb Jaffe & Associates for Assistance
If you have an interest in switching to a different law firm or in-house department, or making some other career transition, then it’s important that you speak with one of the experienced legal recruiters here at Garb Jaffe & Associates. Our legal recruiters have decades of experience assisting attorney candidates with the hiring process, helping them to secure positions at prestigious law firms and corporations throughout the state of California. Here at Garb Jaffe & Associates, we provide guidance from beginning-to-end of the recruitment process.
Call (310) 207-0727 to request a consultation with one of our San Francisco Bay Area legal recruiters.