Return to Biglaw?

[Anonymous]

As you advance in your current firm, you may be able to push for some changes to make it a better-run place. You will not have that kind of leverage at the big firm. Personally, I would not trade satisfying work I believed in with co-workers I liked for the chance at a bigger paycheck, especially where it will mean loss of control over clients, schedules, etc.

[Anonymous]

you should definitely stay where you are. the risk is too great that you'll jump to V10 and things won't work out (either you don't like it, or equity doesn't happen, or both).

--biglaw partner (at a non-V10).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful feedback. The current firm is plaintiffs' side, so it will always be fundamentally different work (same cases, same subject area, but different side of the v). But, yes, I can focus on building a book and developing my own clients, but it will not be a book that I can port to the defense side down the road. Case in point: all of my current clients were referred to me by my former firm due to conflicts.

My spouse is not a lawyer and does not understand the biglaw demands and how different they are from the demands of my current firm. Yes, I work some nights/weekends, travel some, and occasionally have long trials, but I also generally have control over my schedule, work 9-6, and don't have to field demands from clients and fellow partners at all hours of the day and night.

I agree that it is a matter of my priorities, but I find myself having trouble sorting them out. On the one hand, more money now would mean retiring earlier. And, the exit options from the V10 are probably better. On the other hand, what's the point of money if you are spending all your time working on a cause you don't believe in? And, if I like where I am, then I shouldn't need exit options, right? I miss being part of a well-run organization and working with the best of the best. But, I am not sure I miss it enough to put up with everything that comes with it.

You will not retire early. More likely you will burnout and continue to work. How long have you been out of it and roughly how old(20’s, 30’s, 40’s)? Once you have been out of the grinder and been a valued partner it’s very hard to go back. You will know what you are missing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful feedback. The current firm is plaintiffs' side, so it will always be fundamentally different work (same cases, same subject area, but different side of the v). But, yes, I can focus on building a book and developing my own clients, but it will not be a book that I can port to the defense side down the road. Case in point: all of my current clients were referred to me by my former firm due to conflicts.

My spouse is not a lawyer and does not understand the biglaw demands and how different they are from the demands of my current firm. Yes, I work some nights/weekends, travel some, and occasionally have long trials, but I also generally have control over my schedule, work 9-6, and don't have to field demands from clients and fellow partners at all hours of the day and night.

I agree that it is a matter of my priorities, but I find myself having trouble sorting them out. On the one hand, more money now would mean retiring earlier. And, the exit options from the V10 are probably better. On the other hand, what's the point of money if you are spending all your time working on a cause you don't believe in? And, if I like where I am, then I shouldn't need exit options, right? I miss being part of a well-run organization and working with the best of the best. But, I am not sure I miss it enough to put up with everything that comes with it.

You will not retire early. More likely you will burnout and continue to work. How long have you been out of it and roughly how old(20’s, 30’s, 40’s)? Once you have been out of the grinder and been a valued partner it’s very hard to go back. You will know what you are missing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful feedback. The current firm is plaintiffs' side, so it will always be fundamentally different work (same cases, same subject area, but different side of the v). But, yes, I can focus on building a book and developing my own clients, but it will not be a book that I can port to the defense side down the road. Case in point: all of my current clients were referred to me by my former firm due to conflicts.

My spouse is not a lawyer and does not understand the biglaw demands and how different they are from the demands of my current firm. Yes, I work some nights/weekends, travel some, and occasionally have long trials, but I also generally have control over my schedule, work 9-6, and don't have to field demands from clients and fellow partners at all hours of the day and night.

I agree that it is a matter of my priorities, but I find myself having trouble sorting them out. On the one hand, more money now would mean retiring earlier. And, the exit options from the V10 are probably better. On the other hand, what's the point of money if you are spending all your time working on a cause you don't believe in? And, if I like where I am, then I shouldn't need exit options, right? I miss being part of a well-run organization and working with the best of the best. But, I am not sure I miss it enough to put up with everything that comes with it.

You will not retire early. More likely you will burnout and continue to work. How long have you been out of it and roughly how old(20’s, 30’s, 40’s)? Once you have been out of the grinder and been a valued partner it’s very hard to go back. You will know what you are missing.

Interesting observation. I've seen this with BIGLAW partners who have $10MM in the bank, but continue to work for some reason. Perhaps it's because they've put 25+ years into a legal career and are so individually invested in their job that they can't imagine NOT doing it. In other words, they have become a BIGLAW lawyer, body and soul. The only ways they will leave is through a major health scare, or simply dying at their desk. Unfortunately, it's not all that different in-house or in BIG GOV. You spend so many hours a week doing something that you can't go from 100 mph to 60, 30 or even 0. It's inconceivable.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all for the insightful advice. I am going to stay put and focus on building up my current practice. My old firm was very cool about it and said to come back to them if things change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all for the insightful advice. I am going to stay put and focus on building up my current practice. My old firm was very cool about it and said to come back to them if things change.

Excellently handled. You didn't burn the bridge, and I daresay that your old firm probably gained some respect for you. They'll be watching your career. When you're ready, they'll still be there.

[Anonymous]

Since you made your choice based on current offers, I'd play ball with your old firm- say you'd only return as an equity partner. If they want you, you'll get it. If not, who cares since you already chose not to take the risk.

[Anonymous]

I'm always so surprised by how much people categorically hate biglaw on here. I'm in my 8th year in v10 and very very happy. Yeah, it's stressful but the pluses far exceed the negatives. I think it's completely personality-based though. It takes a certain personality to enjoy and succeed in biglaw, just as it does for most professions. I think if you don't like it, you likely don't have that personality or had a bad firm "fit." But i don't think biglaw if objectively horrible. I find it as close to ideal as you can get for professions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm always so surprised by how much people categorically hate biglaw on here. I'm in my 8th year in v10 and very very happy. Yeah, it's stressful but the pluses far exceed the negatives. I think it's completely personality-based though. It takes a certain personality to enjoy and succeed in biglaw, just as it does for most professions. I think if you don't like it, you likely don't have that personality or had a bad firm "fit." But i don't think biglaw if objectively horrible. I find it as close to ideal as you can get for professions.

I don't think it's objectively horrible either, but the business model sucks. And you're an 8th year...what's next? Partner track or being pushed out. It's either one or the other (which is part of what sucks) and you should know by now.