How to change practice areas

Is it possible to change practice areas, e.g., from litigation to transactional, or patent prosecution to licensing? Yes, it certainly is. Be prepared for hard work and getting sponsorship:

1. Get the skills you need in that new area. The first thing to do is to take classes (MCLE, technical classes, etc.), review all available resources (whether print or online), and understand the nuts and bolts of that practice area. Get certified if you can, e.g., USPTO for IP folks, IAPP for privacy.
2. Assess your current skills to see which can translate directly into your new field.  If you have practiced law, you already know about time management, client management, project management, and risk assessment, for example.
3. Think about how to present all your skills to a prospective employer. Seek out people in the space you want to move into because they don’t have you in mind for their next opening. Impress upon them your relevant skills and interest.
4. Get a backer. A colleague or client who knows your track record is ideal to act as your champion – you need someone who knows your abilities to explain why a potential employer should take a chance on you. If you are at a large firm, sometimes you can switch within practice groups — you’ll need to find someone to take you on, and someone to take on your existing work.