What it's really like making partner at a big firm

[Anonymous]

When I made partner, my local office managing partner gave me a letter and handshake. It was announced at a recent firm wide retreat.

I changed my LinkedIn when my local office lead partner confirmed it.

Becoming a voting partner makes you realize that the game has never changed - you keep hustling and deal with the same politics you dealt with in high school, college, grad school, etc.

The money isn't as huge as it sounds. Lifestyle doesn't change, just feels slightly more secure, albeit, still insecure.

Many folks will think you've won at life, and to be fair, you have. However, all the prestige and money is meaningless outside the context of a life well lived - being faithful to your loving spouse, children, friends.

Do you want to be happy as partner? Be happy as an associate. Be happy as a grad student. Live a full, well balanced life - live beneath your means, give generously, and don't let it all go to your head. Don't forget where you came from.

FYI: I'm a dual HYS grad and one of the youngest partners in history at one of the most prestigious and well capitalized firms.

Cool story, I guess? Not clear what the point of this is, probably something your mom would be more interested in than us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, too, believe I know the OP. Agree with the PP's opinion of smug and delusional. There's a reason you were given a quiet handshake.

.....and who said that bullying only happens at school!

I have no idea who OP is, nor am I in any way involved in "law", but I have to tell you that you guys are horrific, truly you are. The only reason for such hateful comments is jealousy or self-loathing for either falling prey to "big law", or just never attaining this level despite years of trying.

wow. check yourselves. Self loathing and jealousy are really bad for your health, mental and physical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Self loathing and jealousy are really bad for your health, mental and physical.

Oh, are sanctimony and self-righteousness healthier then? Where do we pick up our crosses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lawyers, BigLaw included, are merely scriveners.

Like Bartleby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, too, believe I know the OP. Agree with the PP's opinion of smug and delusional. There's a reason you were given a quiet handshake.

.....and who said that bullying only happens at school!

I have no idea who OP is, nor am I in any way involved in "law", but I have to tell you that you guys are horrific, truly you are. The only reason for such hateful comments is jealousy or self-loathing for either falling prey to "big law", or just never attaining this level despite years of trying.

wow. check yourselves. Self loathing and jealousy are really bad for your health, mental and physical.

Another NP cringing at this thread. There's a reason people have negative opinions of lawyers, all clearly laid out in these couple of pages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you really think there is a lot of prestige in being a law firm partner and that you've now won at life?

Being partner at a huge firm and making a good living is a good start towards "winning", but it's not everything. Did you actually read my post?

Yeah, I read your post. Did you read it? Did you forget the part where you said--

"Many folks will think you've won at life, and to be fair, you have."




And frankly being a partner at a huge firm is completely irrelevant, if not a hindrance, to "winning" at life. But then I forgot you think there's a lot of prestige in it. The only people who care about the "prestige" of being partner are the partners and the wannabe partners.

The best description of making partner I've ever heard is winning a pie-eating contest where the prize is more pie.

"Winning at life"? Depends on what game you're playing, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, too, believe I know the OP. Agree with the PP's opinion of smug and delusional. There's a reason you were given a quiet handshake.

.....and who said that bullying only happens at school!

I have no idea who OP is, nor am I in any way involved in "law", but I have to tell you that you guys are horrific, truly you are. The only reason for such hateful comments is jealousy or self-loathing for either falling prey to "big law", or just never attaining this level despite years of trying.

wow. check yourselves. Self loathing and jealousy are really bad for your health, mental and physical.

Another NP cringing at this thread. There's a reason people have negative opinions of lawyers, all clearly laid out in these couple of pages.

+3

You guys sound like mean girl bullies. For real, it's not healthy that you're adults and still react this way and gossip at work like it's 8th grade. SMH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I made partner, my local office managing partner gave me a letter and handshake. It was announced at a recent firm wide retreat.

I changed my LinkedIn when my local office lead partner confirmed it.

Becoming a voting partner makes you realize that the game has never changed - you keep hustling and deal with the same politics you dealt with in high school, college, grad school, etc.

The money isn't as huge as it sounds. Lifestyle doesn't change, just feels slightly more secure, albeit, still insecure.

Many folks will think you've won at life, and to be fair, you have. However, all the prestige and money is meaningless outside the context of a life well lived - being faithful to your loving spouse, children, friends.

Do you want to be happy as partner? Be happy as an associate. Be happy as a grad student. Live a full, well balanced life - live beneath your means, give generously, and don't let it all go to your head. Don't forget where you came from.

FYI: I'm a dual HYS grad and one of the youngest partners in history at one of the most prestigious and well capitalized firms.

You've been drinking the KoolAid for too long. Becoming a partner is far from winning at life. They are a dime a dozen. There's so much more to life, and I wish you the best in exploring the wonders of life, the heart, and the world. Not being snarky.

[Anonymous]

WINNING.

Now, the only question is do you have Tiger Blood. Rawr!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Do you want to be happy as partner? Be happy as an associate. Be happy as a grad student. Live a full, well balanced life - live beneath your means, give generously, and don't let it all go to your head. Don't forget where you came from.
.

If someone asked this question, then the bolded is the answer. The rest is hard to disagree with. Happy people tend to be happy doing whatever they're doing and unhappy people are always searching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI: I'm a dual HYS grad and one of the youngest partners in history at one of the most prestigious and well capitalized firms.

*slow clap*

Twenty years of effort and look where you are now! Name dropping on an anonymous message board from your work computer while eating dinner at your desk. Color me impressed.

[Anonymous]

I have no idea who OP is, nor am I in any way involved in "law",

Why did you put "law" in quotes?