Afraid to go back to a law firm - should I be?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Long story short is that I left legal practice - after 3 years at a big firm and 2 years in house - and did policy work at a federal agency (for the last 4 years). During that time, I had two kids, both school age. I now realize that the policy path is a dead end and there is no prospect of career development, personal satisfaction and financial gain. At the same time, I miss legal practice. For a host of reasons, the main prospects I have are back at firms. While excited that a firm might be willing to take me back (where I left off and after a pretty substantial hiatus in practice), I cannot help but feel scared. Scared that I'll not be able to the work, scared that I'll have to put in more hours than I want to at the expense of seeing my kids and having a life, and scared that I'll resent the stress that inevitably accompanies law firm life. If you were me, would you target small firms and, if so, what is it about that environment that might address some of my concerns? Does going to a reduced work schedule - and I think I can achieve that, even at the outset - to around 75-80% lift some of the pressure? I'm not motivated by salary anywhere near as much by interesting work and a good work environment.
Thanks for any thoughts/insight! |
Anonymous
| I think the problem is that you would need to talk to part time attorneys at the firm to ensure that the workload is actually reduced commiserate with the salary decrease. |
Anonymous
Agree... the nature of practice has changed even in the 4 yrs you were out and more often than not, I hear of stories like yours where the pitch (75% is OK) is belied by the reality pretty quickly and you find out you're doing 90-100% of the work for 75% of the pay. It's a brutal business situation with a flawed, broken, dying business model (hourly billing, etc.) and I'm really glad I am done with it. |
Anonymous
| When I run into partners I used to work with and they are telling me how bad things are, that's when I realize how effed up things have gotten. |
Anonymous
| I'm a legal secretary and one of my senior associates is a reduced schedule guy. He works 9-6 and minimally at home on off hours. Some mornings he comes in late if one of his daughters had a dr appt or something. |
Anonymous
| It probably depends a lot on your practice area. Will you be litigating? |
Anonymous
Ditto this. Also, would you be going in as associate or counsel? Does the firm "up" your salary if you end up working FT hours in a quarter/month? |
Anonymous
| What agency were you at? I am a policy analyst and I don't feel this way at all. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks for all of your thoughts. I would be working in a transactional practice. |
Anonymous
|
You shouldn't be afraid, but you're right to be apprehensive. A GREAT deal has changed in the legal market since the 2008-2009 financial meltdown. There is a reason why the fed.gov attorney positions are insanely competitive right now: Attorneys in private practice are leaving firms voluntarily, involuntarily, and (most often) a mix of the two.
The biggest indicator of whether you would actually be able to be part-time is whether you are on partnership track. If you're "on track," there is no part-time position at most firms. |
Anonymous
I don't agree with this. I think it depends on practice area. At my firm, which is generally considered one of the top in DC, many women - partners, counsel, associates - are part time. |
Anonymous
Let me guess, none of the men are P/T. |
Anonymous
Not nearly as many as the women, though the option is certainly available to them. |
Anonymous
|
Which firm (or throw in a few others you know about to stay anonymous). I have seen associates and counsel stay part time for a period but only know of two firms that had part-time partners (and they merged with others so don't really exist anymore). Generally, many firms say they support part time and maybe have a token part time partner but then either park you forever in counsel or slowly exit you.
If you are not looking for partner track, a goal of part time counsel is not too bad. It is one of those tradeoffs, you have to do everything a partner does but don't make the same money. You do have flexibility so it is a question of what your flexibility is worth. For now, if you can negotiate some sort of part time, that would be best. The hours required are tough on the family. I arranged a lower hourly threshold ~65% and that keeps me sane - then I ramp up whenever needed. For example, worked until midnight last night and then back up to start work again (with a quick DCUM break  . The nice thing though is that I got to go home and finish my hours at home so I could be around my family (and husband took over when he saw me glued to the computer). I am in a transactional practice and not junior so I have to do less face time.
I would suggest getting the lowest hour threshold you can (but still look good) and then make sure you hit that and then some. Economically, it doesn't work out (you won't get it back in bonus) but it keeps you sane and keeps the partners happy (it is MUCH worse to ask for a higher billable and then not hit it). Good luck. |
Anonymous
|
I have been at a few firms over my career and don't see much of a difference between big and small firms. The small firms want to act like big firms and most try to impose the same hours but just don't pay as much. I think it comes down to culture and who your partners are. I have been fortunate to work for partners who (once I proved myself) allowed some remote work. Most of my moves have been with them and if they moved again, I would probably follow.
You will need to find out as much as you can about the partners you will work for. It makes a huge difference. |