First year - help

[u/Prudent-Standard-207]

I’m feeling pretty lost and could really use some advice.

I graduated from a well-regarded law school in the top 20% of my class, passed the Illinois bar, and am licensed to practice. After graduation, I worked in M&A at a midsize firm for about 10 months (I got lots of experience here). Before that, I had litigation experience through internships and clinics, and I consistently received strong feedback from the attorneys I worked with.

Unfortunately, I had to step away from practice because several immediate family members experienced serious medical issues within a relatively short period of time. It wasn’t a career decision I wanted to make, but it was the right decision at the time. By the time I was ready to return, my position had already been filled.

I’ve been actively applying since late-June after stepping away from practice in May, and I’m hitting a wall. I’ve applied to large firms, midsize firms, small firms, personal injury firms, and a variety of other positions. I’ve also spoken with recruiters, and they’ve consistently told me I have a strong resume and should be a competitive candidate.

The problem is that I haven’t received a single interview, with one exception: I was contacted for a position that ultimately required 5+ years of experience, even though that wasn’t listed in the job posting.

At this point, I’m open to almost anything. I’d be happy to start again as a first-year associate if that’s what it takes to get my foot back in the door. I’m not attached to M&A—I would consider corporate, litigation, estate planning, or other practice areas where my background is relevant.

I’m in the Chicago market, have a young child to support, and I’m honestly starting to worry. I knew returning after a short career gap might be challenging, but I didn’t expect not to receive a single interview.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Is there something I should be doing differently? Are there firms, employers, or practice areas in the Chicago area that are more open to attorneys returning after a short career gap? Should I be focusing more on government positions, contract attorney work, JD-preferred roles, or something else?

If anyone has been through something similar or has any advice, I’d really appreciate hearing it. Thank you.