I'm a 2L at UT and am hoping to practice in Austin. Anyone recommend a practice area (maybe even a firm) in Austin?

I should probably add some more substance to my initial post. I was hoping to get recos on practice areas in Austin (or even TX) that are relatively interesting and not too demanding on hours (if such a practice exists, that is).

I wouldn't worry too much about practice areas as a 2L. Get a summer gig at a firm that you like that has plenty of practice areas for you to try out. You can figure it out your third year or even in your first few years of practice.

I thought I wanted to be a litigator the entire time during law school. I did internships with federal and state judges and the U.S. Attorneys' offices, took all the evidence and trial classes and participated in all the trial ad and moot court competitions. I even spent my third year applying for federal appellate clerkships and with the DOJ Honors Program. At the end of the day, I landed a job in land use (transaction, but plenty of out-of-the office meetings and appearances before City Councils) and never use all of that litigation preparation.

Additionally, several of my peers have already switched practice areas and firms. In short, just focus on landing a good summer associate position with a great firm and collect some cash while you figure out what to do with your career.

Trying to time which practice areas are hot is a bad move. If you are good at what you do, you will almost always have work and a job, regardless of what practice group you are in. Today's red-headed step child (Real Estate or structured finance) may be the hot thing when you're up for partner.

Also, don't let firms push you too much in interviews when you are a law student. Just say that you are interested in trying out several practice groups before making a decision.

If you are trying to land a job by expressing interest in a hot practice area, think bankruptcy, litigation (especially commercial and patent) and possibly corporate.

IP is always hot.