Need Advice from those in Big Law

[Anonymous]

My DH is Counsel at a Big Law firm. He's been there for 6 years after working for the government for 12 years. Prior to that, he was at a very prestigious big law firm his first 6 years out of law school. He went to a top 10 law school and always gets lots of praise for his work. He's very involved with the ABA, has been published, speaks at conferences, etc.. I have no idea if that means anything.

He likes his firm, likes the work, he doesn't work like a dog and gets paid well. So, in some senses he doesn't mind just staying as counsel but I know it bothers him that he is not a partner. And, according to him, his practice area has some storm clouds ahead so he doesn't see making partner any time soon. He also has no book and is not outgoing at all, but he's a good worker. The partners in his practice seem to like him and his firm is known for keeping counsels around. But, I can't help but be worried. He's 51 and I am not sure what his future is.

My question is, do you know of people who have made partner in their 50s? Or, has that ship sailed? Should we be worried about his long-term prospects?

TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH is Counsel at a Big Law firm. He's been there for 6 years after working for the government for 12 years. Prior to that, he was at a very prestigious big law firm his first 6 years out of law school. He went to a top 10 law school and always gets lots of praise for his work. He's very involved with the ABA, has been published, speaks at conferences, etc.. I have no idea if that means anything.

He likes his firm, likes the work, he doesn't work like a dog and gets paid well. So, in some senses he doesn't mind just staying as counsel but I know it bothers him that he is not a partner. And, according to him, his practice area has some storm clouds ahead so he doesn't see making partner any time soon. He also has no book and is not outgoing at all, but he's a good worker. The partners in his practice seem to like him and his firm is known for keeping counsels around. But, I can't help but be worried. He's 51 and I am not sure what his future is.

My question is, do you know of people who have made partner in their 50s? Or, has that ship sailed? Should we be worried about his long-term prospects?

TIA.

It's possible to make partner later (though the only ones I know who "made" partner in their 50s were brought in from government or private careers), but the bolded will hold him back. Given what you've described of his skill set and temperament, it sounds like he's landed in the best possible place at a firm that values and retains counsel.

[Anonymous]

If he doesn't have a book of business, how is he going to make partner? DH is in biglaw, and you're basically an entrepreneur, who may need to pivot, or try new tactics. What is HIS plan for strengthening his career?

[Anonymous]

PP back to add that his being "involved with the ABA, has been published, speaks at conferences," is all non-billable, so that doesn't mean much. Those should be great opportunities for getting new clients, however.

[Anonymous]

He's not going to make partner. Sorry. Sounds like he's in a great place without the major stress and hassles of partnership. You're really looking a gift horse in the mouth here. Many partners wish they'd become counsel instead. It's all about hustling to bring in new clients or matters. It's a lot of hours and a ton of stress.

[Anonymous]

He sounds like counsel is the perfect job for him. Stop trying to make him something he isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He sounds like counsel is the perfect job for him. Stop trying to make him something he isn't.

Exactly this. Just make sure he is keeping up his network so he has it in case he is let go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH is Counsel at a Big Law firm. He's been there for 6 years after working for the government for 12 years. Prior to that, he was at a very prestigious big law firm his first 6 years out of law school. He went to a top 10 law school and always gets lots of praise for his work. He's very involved with the ABA, has been published, speaks at conferences, etc.. I have no idea if that means anything.

He likes his firm, likes the work, he doesn't work like a dog and gets paid well. So, in some senses he doesn't mind just staying as counsel but I know it bothers him that he is not a partner. And, according to him, his practice area has some storm clouds ahead so he doesn't see making partner any time soon. He also has no book and is not outgoing at all, but he's a good worker. The partners in his practice seem to like him and his firm is known for keeping counsels around. But, I can't help but be worried. He's 51 and I am not sure what his future is.

My question is, do you know of people who have made partner in their 50s? Or, has that ship sailed? Should we be worried about his long-term prospects?

TIA.

Yes, the ship has sailed; he is not going to make partner. That is basically (with a few exceptions) what a counsel job is -- a well paying and respectable position for attorneys who do work that is necessary but are not on partner track.

Agree with PPs here, counsel is a good position for him. If the storm clouds do roll in as you predict, it wouldn't hurt for him to learn how to work like a dog, as many of us do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is Counsel at a Big Law firm. He's been there for 6 years after working for the government for 12 years. Prior to that, he was at a very prestigious big law firm his first 6 years out of law school. He went to a top 10 law school and always gets lots of praise for his work. He's very involved with the ABA, has been published, speaks at conferences, etc.. I have no idea if that means anything.

He likes his firm, likes the work, he doesn't work like a dog and gets paid well. So, in some senses he doesn't mind just staying as counsel but I know it bothers him that he is not a partner. And, according to him, his practice area has some storm clouds ahead so he doesn't see making partner any time soon. He also has no book and is not outgoing at all, but he's a good worker. The partners in his practice seem to like him and his firm is known for keeping counsels around. But, I can't help but be worried. He's 51 and I am not sure what his future is.

My question is, do you know of people who have made partner in their 50s? Or, has that ship sailed? Should we be worried about his long-term prospects?

TIA.

It's possible to make partner later (though the only ones I know who "made" partner in their 50s were brought in from government or private careers), but the bolded will hold him back. Given what you've described of his skill set and temperament, it sounds like he's landed in the best possible place at a firm that values and retains counsel.

+1 exactly same reaction

[Anonymous]

Early Retired Biglaw Partner here. I joined my former firm right out of law school, was named counsel after the eight or so years were up, and stayed counsel for at least as long as I was an associate before being made partner.

The firm kept me around as counsel because I was productive, did good work, was a solid firm citizen and was well liked in my practice group.

The firm made me partner after the opportunity surreptitiously landed on my lap to land the firm a major new client and I actually made it happen. It was not something I planned; I was pretty happy as counsel and had stopped gunning for partner years earlier. But when it did happen I was rewarded for it.

In other words, the firm didn’t suddenly decide after I had been there for nearly two decades that they were wrong all along and I was actually a brilliant litigator. No - I was suddenly a seasoned lawyer with a book.

The reality of the situation that your husband is in I similar, I bet. His job is secure as any job can be, and he will continue to be well paid and appreciated by the senior members of his practice group. But without a book, he will never, ever make partner because the firm has no incentive to make him one. They know he is not going anywhere, and they also know that even if he does he’s not taking any business with him.

It is what it is, so he and you both should make peace with it. And as someone who has lived it, there are worse things.

[Anonymous]

Counsel positions can transition nicely into retirement. As he wants to dial it back, he can adjust his work schedule and comp to reflect his preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH is Counsel at a Big Law firm. He's been there for 6 years after working for the government for 12 years. Prior to that, he was at a very prestigious big law firm his first 6 years out of law school. He went to a top 10 law school and always gets lots of praise for his work. He's very involved with the ABA, has been published, speaks at conferences, etc.. I have no idea if that means anything.

He likes his firm, likes the work, he doesn't work like a dog and gets paid well. So, in some senses he doesn't mind just staying as counsel but I know it bothers him that he is not a partner. And, according to him, his practice area has some storm clouds ahead so he doesn't see making partner any time soon. He also has no book and is not outgoing at all, but he's a good worker. The partners in his practice seem to like him and his firm is known for keeping counsels around. But, I can't help but be worried. He's 51 and I am not sure what his future is.

My question is, do you know of people who have made partner in their 50s? Or, has that ship sailed? Should we be worried about his long-term prospects?

TIA.

The bold is somewhat contradictory, but perhaps not. He doesn't mind staying counsel, but it doesn't bother him (enough) that he is not a partner (for him to do anything about it). Involvement with the ABA, publications, conference speaking slots, etc... are all nice to get your name out there.... to other private practice lawyers and some in-house counsel. BUT those activities will not translate into business unless your husband takes the necessary actions to turn his 30-second conference chats (after his presentations) with in-house counsel into a lunch meeting where he can learn more about potential clients. Does he have access to any client development funds from his firm? If not, you and he should budget some money (~$2,000) for business development out of your own pockets (consider it an investment in his future).

If you're both worried about the storm clouds ahead, then your husband needs to plan for this. I'm sure he has relationships with partners at other firms (who have sizeable books of business) who would want someone like him to work for them. He could also start applying for in-house roles (51 isn't too old, but pickings may be slim for the more senior in-house roles).

In the end, no one is going to look out for your husband's career except him.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure you want him to be made partner? What is the firm's buy in requirement? At 51, that may not be a great deal for you all, depending on when he wants to retire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH is Counsel at a Big Law firm. He's been there for 6 years after working for the government for 12 years. Prior to that, he was at a very prestigious big law firm his first 6 years out of law school. He went to a top 10 law school and always gets lots of praise for his work. He's very involved with the ABA, has been published, speaks at conferences, etc.. I have no idea if that means anything.

He likes his firm, likes the work, he doesn't work like a dog and gets paid well. So, in some senses he doesn't mind just staying as counsel but I know it bothers him that he is not a partner. And, according to him, his practice area has some storm clouds ahead so he doesn't see making partner any time soon. He also has no book and is not outgoing at all, but he's a good worker. The partners in his practice seem to like him and his firm is known for keeping counsels around. But, I can't help but be worried. He's 51 and I am not sure what his future is.

My question is, do you know of people who have made partner in their 50s? Or, has that ship sailed? Should we be worried about his long-term prospects?

TIA.

It seems like he is doing great and the job is catering to his strength. Just like others have said earlier, being a partner means having a book of business. But partners also work like dogs to secure business and then making the client happy so that they get repeat business/referral. Looks like you guys are all set. Enjoy coasting into retirement!

[Anonymous]

What about becoming a non-equity partner ? Is a book of business required ?