2L Torn Between DA Internship and Captive Counsel Insurance Defense-Seeking Advice!
TL;DR: Which is better: a summer internship in criminal prosecution (DA's office) or in insurance defense (captive counsel)? Loved prosecution last summer but open to exploring ID due to my insurance background. Both offer good pay, work-life balance, and no billables. Trying to compare long-term career prospects, job satisfaction, and skill transferability. Any advice?
Hello! I'm a 2L, and I'm fortunate to have two summer internship offers:
Criminal prosecution at a large district attorney's office.
Insurance defense as captive counsel for a major national insurer
Both positions are in a high cost-of-living area with strong economic growth.
I'm feeling a bit anxious about my decision because I know either internship could lead to my first post-grad job. Last summer, I interned at a different DA's office and absolutely loved criminal prosecution. That said, I have a background as an insurance agent and am open to exploring insurance defense to see how it compares.
Both internships are paid, and the full-time positions at each office offer similar perks: no billable hours, good work-life balance, strong benefits, and similar salaries in the low six figures (though the DA's office may pay slightly more, while insurance defense offers bonuses). From what I understand, both career paths have some limitations in long-term growth and earning potential.
Since I already have experience in prosecution, my main questions are:
• How does working as captive counsel in insurance defense compare to working at a traditional ID firm with billable requirements?
• Which career is generally more engaging and satisfying: insurance defense or criminal prosecution?
• How does career advancement compare between the two?
• Which path is more feasible as a lifelong career?
• Which provides better training and transferable skills for opportunities outside the field?
• For those who have done either or both, what do you wish you had known before choosing your path?
• If I wanted to transition to civil litigation or another legal field in the future, which experience would be more valuable?
I'd really appreciate any insights from people who have worked in either (or both) of these fields! Thanks in advance.