It is no secret that the country is in a recession. You can’t open a newspaper, turn on the TV or surf the internet without being smacked across the face by the reality of it. The financial markets have collapsed and the jobless rate is at its highest since 1974. Over 533,000 people were laid off in November alone. Included in this number are hundreds of attorneys who have been laid off by their firms because of the current economic conditions. Firms are using the financial situation as an opportunity to ‘clean house’. Included in these layoffs have been some incredibly talented lawyers. This has arguably become the most difficult job market the legal community has ever encountered.  
 
All the more reason to count yourself as one of the lucky ones if you still have a job and are not at risk of losing it. But what if, even in the midst of all this downsizing, you have just realized that you can not spend another day practicing at your current firm? What should you do? Join the legions of exceptionally well-qualified attorneys flooding the job market or play it safe and tough it out at your current job? This is one of the questions for the ages – at least this age.
 
First, don’t think you’re crazy. Attorneys, like most highly-intelligent, driven individuals, generally believe they are overworked and understimulated. Rarely are lawyers content with their current employment.  
 
Second, make a careful assessment of the market. Firms are being inundated with resumes of exceptionally well-credentialed candidates right now. Those firms that have positioned themselves well financially are able to pick up very talented and motivated attorneys.  
 
In past years, most attorneys anxious to find a new home would wait until after the start of the new year to begin their search. The few attorneys who entered the market in the last month of the year found very little competition for the open positions. This year that has all changed, so when
you enter the market needs to be given as much thought as the firm you ultimately join.


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