Time to Figure it out

I have a few weeks until school starts. I'm really looking forward to it, but it means that the time is running out on my decision of where I want to live after I graduate. This may sound to some to be quite early, but my fellow law students can relate. I've lived in Wyoming for 14 years, and in Laramie for 10. It will take a little bit of convincing for places in the cities I want to live to overcome the fact that I have no history in their locations. It might be important that I find a summer job in wherever; this would impress my desire to relocate. The cost is a consideration, however. I may not be able to economically sustain two living spaces (still have rent and all for Laramie) doing what would be my preference.

Anyway, if I'm going to target one area, it will have to be soon. Right now, Portland seems to have a bit of an edge over other contenders. I love Seattle, but the cost of living increase from Laramie is not accompanied by a commensurate increase in the average salary rate, making things a bit more difficult. This is especially true since I'd like to focus on prosecution. Additionally, the Multnomah County (Oregon) Prosecutor's office seems to be a bit more friendly and open on their website to potential applicants, rather than King County's (Washington) simple "we're not hiring."

Alaska is still in the running, and has similar benefits to Portland, in that the cost of living increase is accompanied by an increase in average salary. It is a little further afield from where I originally wanted to go, however. Still, they recruited at my school, and that says something.

I somehow think my credit card debt will take a boost from some of the traveling I'll have to do. Time to update the resume.

[Update: Yes, that means I am considering firms, despite my innate aversion to the culture we all hear so much about. I'm currently looking into small firms, and I have some rather strict requirements. For example, if a firm lists a minimum billable hour requirement of 1800 hrs, but the average is 2200, well, then the minimum is an illusion. Plus, I want to see a firm that not only has a strong articulated commitment to diversity, but that has/is putting it into practice. I think overall, I just want not to be subsumed by the machine.

Why the change? Well, its not entirely. I've previously noted that the aversion to firms I have is because of the features many of them reportedly have, not just because they are firms. Any that don't have or which minimize those qualities may be good choices. Not only that, but an attorney for whom I have a great deal of respect recently told me that he thought I would be well-suited to the intellectual demands of litigation practice. That's one of the areas I have always thought would be a pretty good fit for me, and he clearly thinks I have the capacity to do it.

Am I compromising my values and goals? Honestly, maybe. But I'd like to think that I'm going to find a firm which is congruent with those values, if do end up at one.]