Big law: anyone else in my boat?
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Anonymous
| I'm an 8th yr associate - been integral to several large & successful cases. They told me this is my last yr at the firm, I have to be out by the end of 2013. Is it something personal or is this happening at other places too? To be fair, I was never seeking partnership & knew I wanted to move on at some point. |
Anonymous
| That's how it rolls. You stayed so long because you did some good work and made yourself useful and profitable. Now it's time to go. I am surprised you've been around so long and didnt know how it works? What percentage of your entering class in your office is still there, if any? |
Anonymous
| I held on through year 9 at my current firm, but I'm also leaving. I don't generate enough business to be a partner and I'm too expensive to keep as an associate. |
Anonymous
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This brings back memories! I from a small town in Pennsylvania and was first lawyer in family. Years ago I got my first job at a large law firm in its DC office. No real point, but I remember how excited I was and my mom and dad were so proud. I thought I'd grabbed the brass ring. I remember wheny first colleague left to go to an agency. Some other guy followed shortly thereafter. After two years I was immune to the departure get togethers in conference rooms.
It's normal and I get it, and years later when I look back from my current situation - it turned out well - I almost get a little flush when I think how I naively thought I was stepping into lifetime employment with collegiality. What it did was set me up for a great post firm future and after 8 years in big law I have great friends from there all over literally the world. Good luck. Embrace the change. They're doing you a favor. Stay a good alumni. |
Anonymous
This business model never made sense to me. Why don't they keep you and pay you 135k and charge you at a rate lower than your current rate. How is that not win win? But firms don't seem to like that model. |
Anonymous
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PP, it is hard in the big law model (and even in the medium law model where I am now) to just keep associates on indefinitely because you always have new associates coming up behind them and you need to keep having good work to give the "stars" who will become your next junior partners. (and, FYI, first year associates fresh out of law school make more than $135K).
OP, i left a big law firm after about 8 years too and have had a great career since taking that leap. It will proibably be for the best for you as this will force you to make a decision about where you want your career to go instead of just letting inertia take over. |
Anonymous
I really think this is the issue. By year 8 you are too expensive to justify billing to clients. If you aren't doing work that will make you a partner (i.e. bringing in your own business, developing client relationships) it is unlikely that you are doing anything that can't actually be done by someone who is more junior and, therefore, less expensive. It doesn't mean you are not a good lawyer and you won't have success in another part of the profession, just that you aren't economical to the firm at your salary any longer. What is nice about big law is that they usually give people generous lead time so that they can find another job. It sounds like your firm has done this for you. |
Anonymous
Because they need to spend hat money on junior associates who will grow to become partners who bring in business. Doing the legal work is he easy part of the law firm business . Gettmg Clint's who pay top dollar is the had part. My firm does keep some people who will never make partner on as of counsel and they don't make much more than a senior associate.. |
Anonymous
| I am sorry op. my husband is a big law partner and sees this happen time and again and hates it because they lose good people. Unfortunately, it is the model. I sincerely wish you good luck in finding a new position that it right for you. Fwiw, in hindsight my husband would have gone in house instead of staying at a big firm. |
Anonymous
| Dude, you are getting a YEAR of notice. I have a hard time feeling bad or worked up over the big law "model". The "model" is working out great for you, as far as I can tell. I doubt there is any other industry in the us that would give that much notice. |
Anonymous
Agree completely. |
Anonymous
| yup, up or out. I am someone who got laid off during the bloodletting of the recession, and now I am in-house, and so much better off. embrace it! |
Anonymous
| OP, at my firm they kick people out much, much sooner. You had a great run. Congratulations! It is depressing to have to look for another job now after putting so much time in and being shown the door for basically no reason, but you'll probably be much happier once you're gone. I never hear anyone say they regret leaving big law. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Reposting due to formattting issues --
OP, I'm sorry -- I'm sure it feels like quite a kick after all these years. A few points: 1) The short answer: yes, lots and lots people have been in your boat. It's very common, and almost standards practice to ask an associate, who will not advance, to find another job. I disagree with others that it's the best business model, though. Accounting and consulting firms moved away from up or out a long time ago. But it is, what it is, so that doesn't matter for your situation. 2) I've been at big firms for 14 years, and I have never ever met anyone who regretted leaving a large law firm. Ever. 3) I've rarely met anyone for whom "Big Law" is her dream job, aside of course from the wives asking when their Big Law SOs get home. But in actual life? None. Are you really any different in this regard? [Maybe you are, in which case, write back and I have other advice.] After eight years, I'm sure you do your job well, but are you excited by it? challenged it? Think about the substance of your work positively in your off-hours? This could be a real chance for you to figure what makes your brain and heart hum. Good luck to you. I hope you post an update. |