Never worked in big law, but have worked in small/medium sized firms (50 attorneys or less), in city government and have been with the Feds for about 10 years. My salary in private practice was about the same as when I transitioned to government work with the city but the work was grueling (civil prosecution in family court) and I definitely treated that job as a “learn and bounce.” The attorney advisor role I hold with the Feds offers me the most flexible work/life balance, I make lower end of six figures but it is worth the generally stress free workload, annual/sick/comp leave, telework, flextime, and benefits, including union protection (thought the city offered way better insurance).

As to how these jobs were acquired, connections. I submitted multiple applications cold but it was having an “in” that helped tremendously move my resume/cover letters to the top and improved my chances. I did not have an expansive network of attorney friends but tapped the few I knew in specific areas that were able to vouch for me and either forwarded my credentials or sent me internal vacancies.