Ann Israel is the legal profession's Dear Abby. A New York legal recruiter since 1979, Ann is a past president of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants. Advice for the Lawlorn is updated weekly.

Q:I'm at a big Texas firm right now and rounding the corner to being a second-year as a transactional attorney in the corporate practice group. I would like to lateral to New York or California (Los Angeles or San Francisco). I've spent substantial time in both states and have contacts or family in both states.

When is the best time to lateral? I've heard between your third and fifth year. Is this true?

Though I'm at a big-fish firm in Texas, is the New York City market or L.A. market still going to be really tough for me to break into? I didn't go to an Ivy, but I went to a top 25 (was top 20 when I started) law school. Will this be good enough?

Thanks,
Yankee Hopeful

Dear Yankee: Come on over!

Right now is a great time for corporate associates to make a lateral move, even almost-second-year associates just like you.

Asking when is the best time to lateral is a difficult question to answer. It all boils down to timing. If your practice area happens to be hot and in great demand, you don't have to wait until that traditional period between your third and fifth year because the firms need the junior associates as well.

However, if you are in a practice area that is in a slump, even in your most marketable year it is going to be difficult to find a new job.

At the present time you are in a practice area that is in great demand. A second-year associate will be welcome at many firms in New York and in California too. Graduating from a top 20 or top 25 law school should not necessarily present a problem as long as your grades are decent, which means no "C"s.

By the way, are you admitted in New York or California? If not, are you signed up for the bar exam being given at the end of this month in either state? Although it won't be critical during the interviewing process, it certainly would show your commitment to moving to New York (or California) if you were at least signed up for one of those exams.

Since you are at a big firm in Texas, I have to suspect that you are working on major deals, just the type of deals that the firms in New York and California would like to see on your resume. I can't imagine that there will be any issue in an interview because you have come from a Texas firm, since you have indicated that it is a major firm.

If you are serious about this move, I suggest you strike while the iron is hot. Contact a recruiter in one of those cities that you have targeted and get your search started. The corporate practice area is seeking strong associates, and if you fit that description, it won't be long before you will be packing your bags and exchanging your 10-gallon hat for a Yankees or Mets cap!

Best wishes!

Sincerely,
Ann Israel
President, Ann Israel & Associates