How to transition from Fed to nonequity law partner?

[Anonymous]

This question shows my lack of job-seeking experience, but I'm hoping for information so that I will at least sound more informed if I pursue this idea. I just read a response on the moms in biglaw thread from a non-equity partner who works part time, roughly 40 hours per week. I have been considering for a few years how/whether to try to make the jump from Fed attorney to law partner, but because my kids are still in elementary school I haven't pursued this due to what I thought would be the change in lifestyle, given how much time I currently spend with them. I am at the top of the GS scale so it is hitting me that I'm not making any more $ than this, ever, if I stay a non-manager Fed. And, I had no idea that a less than full time nonequity partner was a possibility -- so first, is this really a type of position most firms have? For me, this could make sense because I have the experience but no book of business or clients to bring, plus would like to maintain a 50 hr workweek if possible.

Given my experience (20 years, primarily in an area of health law that is translatable to private practice) I think I could be a good fit for somewhere like Hogan Lovells, Arent Fox, Epstein Becker Green but not sure how best to do the outreach to see if this type of opportunity is even available. (I am aware of the ethics considerations involved with seeking non-Federal employment, my question is not about this). I know a few partners just from connections over the years, but it's not like we are friends, so I'm concerned that if I contact them about this specific kind of position they will think that I don't seem ambitious enough, be unwilling to recommend me etc. Thoughts? I'd love to hear from anyone who made a similar transition, or has any suggestions -- including don't do it, as perhaps my assumptions that I could maintain a similar lifestyle while making a higher salary are way off. Thanks much!

[Anonymous]

Do you have specific subject matter expertise that you can offer that firms you are targeting don't already have? Also keep in mind that partners have to.pay for their own benefits - unless you get yours through your spouse, it should figure into your consideration.

[Anonymous]

Why not talk to a recruiter? They can let you know if this will work or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not talk to a recruiter? They can let you know if this will work or not.

I would second this. Firms tend to hire partners strategically because they want to grow in a certain direction. A recruiter can help you shape your pitch for each firm you are targeting. In terms of part-time, I think that will be a hard lift. If you were coming as one piece of a larger, profitable group you might be able to negotiate this, but to come in on your own without a book of business, you would have to have a very specific and unusual area of expertise. Otherwise, why hire you when they can get an equivalent person willing to work full time?

[Anonymous]

My DH was in a similar position as you and two years ago moved to a firm as Counsel. Although he has great experience, without a book of business he didn’t think he could go in as a partner and actually preferred a counsel position. Only problem is that, although he makes a healthy sum, the compensation for counsel at his firm is very opaque so he has no idea of what to expect. He just found out that although he billed way over the minimum he still got a bonus that was half of what the ninth year associates received. It was a bit dispiriting for him. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP. Without a book of business, you would start as a counsel. If you developed a book you could make partner or if another partner needed the support, you might make it as a service partner later on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This question shows my lack of job-seeking experience, but I'm hoping for information so that I will at least sound more informed if I pursue this idea. I just read a response on the moms in biglaw thread from a non-equity partner who works part time, roughly 40 hours per week. I have been considering for a few years how/whether to try to make the jump from Fed attorney to law partner, but because my kids are still in elementary school I haven't pursued this due to what I thought would be the change in lifestyle, given how much time I currently spend with them. I am at the top of the GS scale so it is hitting me that I'm not making any more $ than this, ever, if I stay a non-manager Fed. And, I had no idea that a less than full time nonequity partner was a possibility -- so first, is this really a type of position most firms have? For me, this could make sense because I have the experience but no book of business or clients to bring, plus would like to maintain a 50 hr workweek if possible.

Given my experience (20 years, primarily in an area of health law that is translatable to private practice) I think I could be a good fit for somewhere like Hogan Lovells, Arent Fox, Epstein Becker Green but not sure how best to do the outreach to see if this type of opportunity is even available. (I am aware of the ethics considerations involved with seeking non-Federal employment, my question is not about this). I know a few partners just from connections over the years, but it's not like we are friends, so I'm concerned that if I contact them about this specific kind of position they will think that I don't seem ambitious enough, be unwilling to recommend me etc. Thoughts? I'd love to hear from anyone who made a similar transition, or has any suggestions -- including don't do it, as perhaps my assumptions that I could maintain a similar lifestyle while making a higher salary are way off. Thanks much!

This is what I'm dreading about becoming a Fed.

[Anonymous]

Are you desperate for money? Because there is no other reason to give up the hours and job security of a fed for the job insecurity of a counsel/ non equity partner position. There is absolutely no way you will be working anything close to a 40 hour work week.

[Anonymous]

Law firms do not bring in people as part time lawyers. It is a position given to people who have proven their value to the for, over several years, and typically, the part time aspect is temporary.

[Anonymous]

OP— I appreciate all of your responses. This is helpful as I may be valuing my own experience too greatly— because I’m so highly specialized in an area that outside counsel usually would be retained to handle, I thought this might compensate for no book. Reading other threads tonight, even if I found such a position, making a change primarily for $$$ may be shortsighted without knowledge of the firm culture and actual expectations as to things like face time or up or out...and clearly I have not been asking enough questions because I had not previously known about no 401K matching or subsidized health insurance premiums. Thanks for taking the time to help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP— I appreciate all of your responses. This is helpful as I may be valuing my own experience too greatly— because I’m so highly specialized in an area that outside counsel usually would be retained to handle, I thought this might compensate for no book. Reading other threads tonight, even if I found such a position, making a change primarily for $$$ may be shortsighted without knowledge of the firm culture and actual expectations as to things like face time or up or out...and clearly I have not been asking enough questions because I had not previously known about no 401K matching or subsidized health insurance premiums. Thanks for taking the time to help!

As a partner you also pay all your own taxes. So I’m addition to the annoyance of having to handle this on a quarterly basis, it’s also much more expensive because you don’t have your employer paying a portion of your social security and Medicare taxes, like most employers do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This question shows my lack of job-seeking experience, but I'm hoping for information so that I will at least sound more informed if I pursue this idea. I just read a response on the moms in biglaw thread from a non-equity partner who works part time, roughly 40 hours per week. I have been considering for a few years how/whether to try to make the jump from Fed attorney to law partner, but because my kids are still in elementary school I haven't pursued this due to what I thought would be the change in lifestyle, given how much time I currently spend with them. I am at the top of the GS scale so it is hitting me that I'm not making any more $ than this, ever, if I stay a non-manager Fed. And, I had no idea that a less than full time nonequity partner was a possibility -- so first, is this really a type of position most firms have? For me, this could make sense because I have the experience but no book of business or clients to bring, plus would like to maintain a 50 hr workweek if possible.

Given my experience (20 years, primarily in an area of health law that is translatable to private practice) I think I could be a good fit for somewhere like Hogan Lovells, Arent Fox, Epstein Becker Green but not sure how best to do the outreach to see if this type of opportunity is even available. (I am aware of the ethics considerations involved with seeking non-Federal employment, my question is not about this). I know a few partners just from connections over the years, but it's not like we are friends, so I'm concerned that if I contact them about this specific kind of position they will think that I don't seem ambitious enough, be unwilling to recommend me etc. Thoughts? I'd love to hear from anyone who made a similar transition, or has any suggestions -- including don't do it, as perhaps my assumptions that I could maintain a similar lifestyle while making a higher salary are way off. Thanks much!

This is what I'm dreading about becoming a Fed.

Worry about it if and when you get there. And good luck searching for the mommy unicorn job, op.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP— I appreciate all of your responses. This is helpful as I may be valuing my own experience too greatly— because I’m so highly specialized in an area that outside counsel usually would be retained to handle, I thought this might compensate for no book. Reading other threads tonight, even if I found such a position, making a change primarily for $$$ may be shortsighted without knowledge of the firm culture and actual expectations as to things like face time or up or out...and clearly I have not been asking enough questions because I had not previously known about no 401K matching or subsidized health insurance premiums. Thanks for taking the time to help!

Don’t forget the complete lack of job security, as you’ll inevitably be among the first laid off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP— I appreciate all of your responses. This is helpful as I may be valuing my own experience too greatly— because I’m so highly specialized in an area that outside counsel usually would be retained to handle, I thought this might compensate for no book. Reading other threads tonight, even if I found such a position, making a change primarily for $$$ may be shortsighted without knowledge of the firm culture and actual expectations as to things like face time or up or out...and clearly I have not been asking enough questions because I had not previously known about no 401K matching or subsidized health insurance premiums. Thanks for taking the time to help!

Don’t forget the complete lack of job security, as you’ll inevitably be among the first laid off.

+1

When it comes to private practice, you're either IN or you're OUT. This means that you either dedicate yourself to the firm, you you stay put in your safe government job. Job security should not be underrated. If you're still serious about going into private practice, I would set a 2-year goal of going to conferences, networking and publishing articles to build up a VERY strong reputation that the firm can sell to its clients. You should also build up relationships with in house counsel who you would like to solicit for business. In the end, that's what it's all about.

[Anonymous]

When it comes to private practice, you're either IN or you're OUT. This means that you either dedicate yourself to the firm, you you stay put in your safe government job. Job security should not be underrated. If you're still serious about going into private practice, I would set a 2-year goal of going to conferences, networking and publishing articles to build up a VERY strong reputation that the firm can sell to its clients. You should also build up relationships with in house counsel who you would like to solicit for business. In the end, that's what it's all about.

OP again -- very pragmatic, thanks, esp. regarding relationships with in house counsel as I need to improve my networking here. You also make a good point about serious or not, from seeing the responses to my original message I think I am not ready to fully commit at this time. I appreciate everyone's honesty, as I also see that I have not been giving my current job security its due weight. Perhaps I may already have, to use a PP's phrasing, a "mommy unicorn job" without appreciating it...