Transition From Crown Prosecution to Big Law?

[esqharveyspecter]

Hi everyone!

Interested in hearing if anyone was able to transition from federal/provincial crown prosecution (in any province like Ontario or Alberta) to big law during or after articling.

I have prior corporate-related work experiences (before law school), law extracurriculars, and school electives which may support my role in big law. But now I have an opportunity to complete my 2L summer with a province's prosecution service, and then work as an articling student and then crown attorney/prosecutor there. I also performed fairly well in criminal law during 1L and have command over the basics.

Appreciate any input from y'all! Thanks!

[CleanHands]

I know people who summered with a Crown office and then took a BigLaw articling job.

Virtually unheard of for people to summer, article, and then start their career as qualified lawyers with a Crown office and then transition to BigLaw though. That's just not how BigLaw firms recruit early career talent.

[SNAILS]

@esqharveyspecter Don't get too ahead of yourself, lol. You are in a great position now. Congratulations.

Don't assume you'll article with the Crown/PPSC just because you did your 2L summer with the PBSC. The summer experience will probably change your opinion about whether you prefer Crown or corporate work. Then choose your 3L courses around your in intended career path. Then apply either with Big Law or corporate depending on which direction you want to go.

It becomes a little bit hard to switch to big law if you don't article there (even harder to switch from big law to Crown work). If you also take a job as a junior lawyer as a Crown, it becomes increasingly harder. But by that point, you would presumably have formed the opinion that you want to be a Crown.

(I'm not even sure if you are a 1L or a 2L right now - if you are a 2L, you should have taken some courses other than 1L Criminal Law like evidence and Crim Pro if you are taking that route).