I am a firm believer that there is a place in the legal ecosystem for all lawyers who want to participate. That ranges from international law firm, to in-house, to regional boutique (or if you're me—a legal recruiter!) For those in law firms, figuring out the type of firm that is the best for you means understanding the nuances of different-sized firms. Drawing from my experience successfully placing numerous candidates in both big law and boutique settings, as well as a former attorney who has had the pleasure of working in both, I have distinctive insight into the business models of each type of firm and how those can impact long-term career trajectories.

While size and national recognition are more obvious distinctions, delving deeper reveals compelling aspects of boutique law firms that often go unnoticed by attorneys contemplating a career transition. Boutique firms are not the right fit for everyone, but they have many features that can significantly benefit attorneys—those in the early stages of their careers seeking specific substantive opportunities or those who are more seasoned and looking for the right platform to grow their client base.