Transition from Big Law Bankruptcy/Restructuring Attorney to Distressed Debt PE

Hi all - I know this has been touched on a few times in the past, but, with things going the way they're going, I wanted to revisit. I'm an attorney at a big law firm specializing in bankruptcy and restructuring law, with a focus on out-of-court workouts, large chapter 11s (company and creditor side), and distressed M&A (purchaser side). Like most lawyers, I'm looking at potential exit strategies and, given my background, a move to a distressed debt PE fund seems to make the most sense. In house counsel is an option, but I'm curious what the non-legal options are and everyone's thoughts on how best to pursue those opportunities and to make the career jump. Any other ideas for exit opportunities with my background are also welcome! Thanks!

 

Forget about interesting work being in-house, you're closer to resemble a secretary than a lawyer. Go into RX, you'll get paid better and do more interesting work.

Also, why do you want to leave law?

 

Assume you're asking about the investment teams at these types of funds? If so, everyone will assume you don't know the finance part and aren't good with numbers (the obvious stereotype of lawyers). 

I'm sure someone else can be more helpful here as I have no experience with this type of move, but wondering if it makes sense for you to do RX or M&A banking. Assuming you are only a few years into law, you'd still probably start out as a senior analyst or maybe associate, which may or may not be something you care about. Probably need 2 years of IB to have a shot at PE.  

 
Most Helpful

If you are at a good firm, you likely have alumni from your group in finance.  I would suggest reaching out to them.   

Glidepaths I can think of generally that I know people have recruited for post-law firm are: 

- Restructuring IB (poster above is incorrect on senior analyst, this is always at the associate level post biglaw associate)

-  Restructuring at a financial advisor (A&M, Alix, etc.)

- Hybrid legal counsel seats (desk lawyers at distressed desks / funds)

 -Workout / restructuring professionals at debt funds; 

- Distressed hedge fund analysts (will be difficult if you have no finance experience)

- Working at a service provider like Reorg 

I'm a lawyer who made the jump years ago, currently at a credit HF and I love it - would highly recommend. 

 

Quo error labore exercitationem qui. Assumenda magni suscipit nihil voluptatem voluptates. Molestias vero aut corrupti sed laborum et. A aut ex est voluptas.

Explicabo dolorem aliquid est eos laudantium et. Quis qui eaque veritatis provident necessitatibus dolor in nam. Delectus quidem occaecati accusamus autem ut velit quia. Dolorem quae rerum eligendi in dolor.

Magni consequatur atque error reiciendis nobis et dolorum. Laudantium dolor minima et enim laborum. Alias non voluptatem non asperiores ad ut. Molestiae quia dolores nulla id earum qui. Accusamus voluptatibus tempore odit perspiciatis. Dolor est accusantium qui delectus sed modi accusamus. At ut error ea vitae eaque.

Repellat et et ut ex ullam eum dolores error. Vel cupiditate et excepturi qui hic. Aperiam et assumenda quisquam rerum laboriosam. Nesciunt ducimus qui aliquam ea. Enim corporis ipsa quis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (90) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (205) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
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...”