Beyond the Big Firm: Profiles of Lawyers Who Want Something More

This succinct paperback will fill a major information void for students and recent graduates who are interested in a legal career outside the typical large, corporate law firm. Beyond the Big Firm offers more than 30 compelling profiles of lawyers who have chosen to follow nontraditional legal careers, in a wide range of subject areas, practice settings, and types of work.

This distinctive book explores the many possibilities open to law school graduates interested in "alternative" career choices.

• the editors of this engaging compilation are long-time public interest lawyers; the actual authors of the profiles are primarily students who capture the personalities of the subjects in a way that is sure to resonate with the audience because they share the same questions about career choices
• the subjects of the profiles have been out of law school 10-15 years, they represent 18 law schools, and they work in 15 states
• the lawyers profiled have jobs in governments, nonprofits, and small private firms; both civil and criminal law practice are covered, including prosecutors and defense counsel
• some of the fields that the lawyers work in include civil rights, civil liberties, immigration, personal injury, and human rights

In addition to the fascinating profiles, special features include:

• a special resources chapter to help students determine and follow their career choice
• a final chapter with mini-profiles of 3 lawyers who are not practicing law, but for whom their legal training is vital to their work
• short essays by current and former Stanford Law School deans Larry Kramer and Kathleen Sullivan