Lawyer -> Investment Management

Is it possible for a lawyer to break into investment management (e.g., PIMCO, Wellington) without MBA? I realize that even if possible, getting an investment role at a top Asset Management shop would be difficult. Want to see if the idea might pass the laugh test before starting to network.

Basic background: Duke UG Work experience at MBB Stanford Law JD Top wall street law firm (Cravath/S&C/Skadden) doing deals

Any advice and/or dose of reality would be helpful. Thanks.

2 Comments
 
Best Response

I think it would be difficult to break in as a research analyst unless you stepped into a legal role first or got a MBA.

If you don't want to get a MBA, the easiest way would be to join one of the aforementioned firm's legal departments, hopefully in a role that interacts with research. For example, I believe some of the larger firms have lawyers that work exclusively on proxy or related corporate governance issues.

Another angle would be to try to join a shareholder activist fund. These funds have need for good legal talent to help with their various proxy battles and shareholder lawsuits. As a research analyst, I've actually been thinking about getting a JD eventually to try to join one of these funds.

 

Repellat voluptate id tempora. Hic maiores minima reiciendis excepturi occaecati. Cum qui debitis corporis nostrum cum. Blanditiis impedit officiis atque perspiciatis exercitationem cum eius. Cumque aut velit sequi est voluptatibus odio in. Voluptatem ex mollitia reiciendis omnis voluptatem iure quisquam.

Cumque blanditiis iure suscipit mollitia. Et id consequatur aut sunt enim consequuntur numquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”