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For many attorneys, changing legal specialties is not just a career pivot—it is a strategic decision shaped by evolving interests, market dynamics, and personal priorities.
Transitioning to a different practice area can be challenging without the right preparation. So, before you attempt this move, familiarize yourself with some tips that can make this change as seamless as possible.
Tailoring your resume to the legal practice area you want to move into, and ensuring you have the right educational training for your desired niche could help open up opportunities and increase your success rate. With the right research, networking, practical experience and strategic positioning within your desired market, you can prepare yourself much more effectively for changing your legal practice area.
There are several common reasons lawyers decide to change their practice areas, including:
Understanding these motivations can help you evaluate whether a specialty change is the right move for your career.
One of the biggest challenges lawyers face when changing specialties is market demand. When the legal market is slow, firms are less likely to invest in “retooling” associates by training them in new practice areas—especially if their current skills remain in high demand. Conversely, if there is strong demand for a particular specialty, firms are more willing to allocate resources to develop talent in that area.
Another hurdle is the internal dynamics within law firms. Partners often view associates as part of their specific practice groups, which can make it politically sensitive for a lawyer to leave one team and join another. Additionally, firms typically prefer to hire lateral associates who already possess the necessary skills and experience in a specialty, rather than investing in retraining existing staff.
Have you decided that transitioning to a new specialty is right for you? It’s time to familiarize yourself with the steps that can make this a success.
First, identify what transferable skills and knowledge you have, and whether it is applicable to the specialty you are looking to change to. Think about whether you might need any new additional qualifications or certifications to successfully position yourself as a candidate in those fields.
Decide whether the specialty you are looking at meets your salary requirements. Some lawyers may look to take a pay cut if it means working a job that fits in better with their work-life expectations and is in a field they are passionate about. If you plan to compromise on salary, make sure it meets your personal and professional expectations.
This is optional, but it could be worth determining which legal practice areas have greater demand for lawyers. In demand fields right now are regulatory and compliance law, ethics and corporate governance, litigation, labor and employment law, intellectual property, data privacy and cybersecurity, and technology.¹ Other legal hiring trends suggest a greater need for professionals experienced in digital assets and compliance, thanks to an unpredictable and evolving regulatory landscape in these areas. It’s important to conduct your research in a timely manner when exploring which legal practice areas are in high demand as that can change quickly from year to year.
Do your current qualifications and certifications demonstrate the right legislative knowledge and training to move into a new practice area? Retraining in new qualifications might be a prerequisite of certain specialties.
Lawyers looking to move into privacy law and data protection can look at acquiring a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) credential from the IAPP. This involves gaining the right expertise through training, workshops and exams, therefore equipping lawyers with the right skills to enter the growing cybersecurity industry.
If looking to move into the entertainment and creative industries, then consider gaining an Intellectual Property (IP) certification. This equips lawyers with the skills to specialize in brand protection, copyright, patents, and trademarks. Cutting-edge knowledge of IP law may become more in-demand as AI-generated works become prevalent.
For those looking to move into legal management or a more senior role, then acquiring a Legal Project Management (LPM) qualification could provide the project management, workflow management, and time optimization skills they need. They are typically provided by accredited institutions. The Associate of Corporate Counsel (ACC) provides legal management training specifically with law attorneys in mind.
Holding these certifications above can make you a more competitive candidate as it shows you have more in-depth knowledge on top of your law degree. For lawyers looking to demonstrate their skills in a highly specialized legal field, consider completing a board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. They provide certifications in legal practice areas such as:
To gain a board certification, you may have to meet high standards, pass exams and be able to demonstrate high standards in the field already. But by gaining this board certification, you can build a strong reputational standing in your chosen legal practice area.
Networking can help you cast a wider net when it comes to finding opportunities in your desired practice area. Joining a professional organization related to your chosen new specialty is one way to achieve this. Once you have made strong connections in the practice, employee referrals and professional recommendations from them may help you to stand out as a candidate in more competitive fields.
Law mentorship from experienced attorneys can provide you with a firmer understanding of what is required to successfully practice in a new field. This could include:
Since mentorship involves back-and-forth dialogue, getting the most out of this dynamic involves asking the right questions. Use this opportunity to ask questions about legislation, client advocacy, or current ethical concerns in your new practice area.
Transitioning to a new legal field often means building your reputation from the ground up and developing a new client base. You can gain relevant experience by taking on pro bono or part-time cases in the new area, which not only helps ease the transition but also allows you to determine if the specialty is a good long-term fit.
Secondment opportunities provide another valuable way to gain practical experience and facilitate a smoother shift. These can be internal, such as rotating to a different department within your firm, or external, involving temporary placements at another firm. Exploring different assignments like these can help you test new specialties before making a permanent change.
Networking and collaborating with partners across various practice areas can also expand your knowledge without requiring a lateral move. For associates, taking on diverse assignments across multiple specialties can be a useful way to explore options and decide where to focus your career.
Lateral moves, by contrast, involve permanently moving to a similar role at a different firm. These moves typically don’t come with higher salaries or improved benefits but are often motivated by the desire for a better cultural fit, improved work-life balance, or opportunities to develop new skills. Sometimes, acquiring those skills requires moving to a different firm—or even a firm in another country—to gain fresh perspectives and experiences.
Joining a professional organization is just one way to network. You can also achieve results by updating your personal brand.
Update your website with any new specialties or interests, and adjust your LinkedIn profile, resume, and professional bio to reflect your desire to change fields. To make new connections and develop awareness of your brand, consider writing articles or speaking at events related to your new specialty.
Can lawyers change specialties without stress? Legal recruiters specialize in helping you move into a new legal specialty with greater ease. Some of the key benefits of working with a legal recruiter include:
Before settling on a decision and making any major life changes, we recommend exploring all your options first. Make adequate preparations like building your network and taking practical steps towards a successful career transition.
For the past 50 years, E.P. Dine’s extensive network and legal expertise have aided lawyers like you in finding legal positions across all seniority levels and many practice areas. We seek to develop a deep understanding of your professional goals as a candidate, crafting a market-informed search strategy that is fine-tuned to your career expectations.
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At E.P. Dine, we are committed to delivering content that is not only relevant and insightful but also rooted in professional integrity and expertise. To achieve this, every article published on the E.P. Dine blog undergoes a meticulous review process by qualified professionals with deep knowledge and experience in the legal field and legal recruitment.
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