Graduated top of my class from HYS. Went to go work for a startup that a buddy of mine had. Did well for a few years. Kind of stalled out and now it's being sold. Will make some money but not enough to retire on (barely enough to pay off student loans and have some savings).
I summered my 2L at a V5 but turned down the offer to go work at the startup. I've always wanted to go back to biglaw as I feel like it would be a helpful reset for my career.
I do have some good connections from my law school of either partners that I know (I've gone back to my school and lectured on entrepreneurship, had a couple of the "famous" professors who loved me, etc) or senior associates who I went to school with who are buddies.
Chances of being able to get in? would I come in as a first year? I did a lot of the finance/deals for the startup so I'm leaning transactional. Led the company's financing rounds, etc so feel like I'd be a good fit in a firm like Cooley, Fenwick, or just general financing practice group. I know this is super non-traditional. But wanted to get thoughts before I reach out to my buddies/professors to see if they can open a door for a non-trad to get hired at a biglaw firm. don't want them to laugh in my face. :)