LegalJob recently participated on a jobs panel where there was a healthy debate about whether law students and associates should plan as much as possible by focusing on only one type of law practice and further, a niche within that practice area. The argument against planning everything out is that you cannot control life no matter how hard your plan. That is true. Also, the dissenters worried that if you over plan you may risk taking yourself out of the running for an opportunity in a practice area you may enjoy (but have not previously explored) or with an amazing legal employer you never considered. Sure that could happen but this point does not seem to be a strong enough argument against planning.
So, LegalJob thinks it is advisable to do both. As discussed in Making Partner, position to the extent possible and then be open to all possibilities that come to you, including opportunities off-plan. Positioning yourself means taking as much action as possible for you to be able to soundly demonstrate to a future employer your ability to focus and high level of commitment to your practice area.
This post (part one) discusses the positioning piece. A second post (part two) will discuss ways you can be flexible to keep doors open. Consider these positioning steps:
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