hi, i'm a pupil-in-chambers who's going to finish my chambering in 2 or 3 months. I want to ask for your learned opinion;

i) I am interested to do criminal litigation, but i don't want to leave civil litigation. Thus, after my chambering ends, should i go for a good civil liti firm then only i opt for a criminal liti firm after i acquired the skills needed in civil liti?; or

should i go straight to criminal firm and opt for civil liti firm later if needed so that i can get the best of both?

ii) do top firms (skrine, shearn, shooklin, thomas philips etc.) have any other perks besides the pay? I know the exposures etc. are there but still, you can get them in any other firm. This should be on the perspective of a practicing lawyer not a chambee.

Thank you!