Take CFA for career switch?

[alarme]

how difficult is it for corporate lawyers to switch into the banking sector (specifically front office jobs)? is it possible?

anyone knows of any person who has done that successfully?

Originally Posted by alarme

how difficult is it for corporate lawyers to switch into the banking sector (specifically front office jobs)? is it possible?

anyone knows of any person who has done that successfully?

If you have experience in M&A, IPOs and securities transactions etc. I would say the chances are there for a change. If not, it will be tough since front office roles are the holy grail in IB and there are lots of qualified candidates out there vying for the same jobs.

Instead of the typical front office jobs like sales and trading, research, corp finance, debt equity raising, have you considered more specialized front office roles in boutique or specialized M&A firms? Blackstonegroup Lazard... come into mind

For eg. restructuring... deal origination.. I'd say a lawyer trained in corporate insolvency, tax laws and corporate finance is actually in a very good position! Much better than a fresh grad for sure.

I am involved in front office recruiting and would say that unless your father is someone famous or you are very pretty and smart, its very difficult to get into sales and trading.

Research is easier to get into generally, but if you are looking into bulge bracket, you need a degree/MBA from a top university (Ivy League/Oxbridge) and an outgoing personality. For top local grads, easier get into a local broker and then work like a dog to make yourself a name. Same thing for corporate finance, but it can be real drudgery where you catch only a few hours of sleep a week when deals are on.

Boutique buyside firms or hedge funds may be easier to get into and you could rise and make a lot of money, but don't do that much for your resume. Coming from bulge bracket, its much easier to move around.