BigLaw folks: how long is normal to stay an associate if you aren't going to make partner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m almost in the same position — 8 years in big law as an associate, maybe will be promoted to counsel in the next few years but maybe not, wondering how long this can last. I’m not worried about being asked to leave (naive?), but I do think it’ll be strange if people junior to me are promoted over me — for me, that will be the sure sign that I need to leave. Not totally sure what’s next, I’m in litigation so no niche area. Maybe government if I can find an agency to take me?

I think govt is kind of the standard exit path for litigators in DC. Lots of people on this board who did biglaw to gov’t litigation.

Yup. We always knew the deal when law firm associate folks with a certain number of years came around looking for a govt job.

It’s not a bad deal to be a govt attorney esp if you have a working spouse. I know some dual-govt-lawyer couples in my neighborhood and it seems like a good life (as long as you didnt get accustomed to two biglaw salaries).

2 lifetime GS-15 salaries look better and better these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m almost in the same position — 8 years in big law as an associate, maybe will be promoted to counsel in the next few years but maybe not, wondering how long this can last. I’m not worried about being asked to leave (naive?), but I do think it’ll be strange if people junior to me are promoted over me — for me, that will be the sure sign that I need to leave. Not totally sure what’s next, I’m in litigation so no niche area. Maybe government if I can find an agency to take me?

I think govt is kind of the standard exit path for litigators in DC. Lots of people on this board who did biglaw to gov’t litigation.

Yup. We always knew the deal when law firm associate folks with a certain number of years came around looking for a govt job.

It’s not a bad deal to be a govt attorney esp if you have a working spouse. I know some dual-govt-lawyer couples in my neighborhood and it seems like a good life (as long as you didnt get accustomed to two biglaw salaries).

2 lifetime GS-15 salaries look better and better these days.

Yep. The dual gov-lawyer (or similar combos like lawyer+economist) couples seem to be pretty happy, they tend to flex their schedules so one gets home earlier, plus nobody ever has to work late nights.