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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The top firm on most lists does not have offices in DC.

With respect to OP's question, what kind of feedback did he get about why he wasn't partner?  He should know based on those conversations whether he's got a good chance next year and the revenue/business case just isn't quite there, or whether it's really time to look around.

If he doesn't have a confidante in the partner ranks who can give him this kind of frank info, he's probably not in a position to make it, honestly.[/quote]

OP here.  Thanks everyone for their posts relating to my topic.

My spouse is a counsel/senior associate and is not eligible yet for partnership, but it is on the horizon and there is a feeling that our livelihood is tied to making partner (home, schools, lifestyle, extracurricular activities, etc).  As each year passes and we are closer to finding out we have pits in our stomachs.  I am trying to be supportive and not show my anxiety because my spouse is stressed and working a lot.

My spouse has been told there is a good chance of making partner, but that you never know until the vote.  It seems the voting is very secretive and involves much politics.  Is this right?[/quote]

OP:  Each firm is different, so it's hard to generalize about what will make the difference when it comes to making partner.  As a general matter I found it was best to think of it from the partners' perspective.  Making someone a partner is a decision to let that person own a part of your business, so it makes sense that firms are selective, and that the process is not always entirely rational.  Generally, you want to be  in a practice area that's a growth area for your firm or alternatively have convinced enough partners (in some firms enough of the right partners) that you're developing a practice area that will be a growth area for the firm.  Law firms make money on the backs of associates, so the ideal partner runs a lot of matters that keep a lot of associates billing a lot of hours.  With all that in mind, you can see how many factors can affect the decision despite your DH's best efforts.  He could be in the wrong practice area, or in the right one but at a time when business is in a downturn.  He could have knowingly or unknowingly pissed off the wrong partner who will be a douche and doom his chances.  He could be doing awesome work in the right practice area, but for a partner who doesn't have the pull or the interest to help him in the ways he needs to be helped.

And if he doesn't make it, what happens depends on the firm.  When it happened to me, I was told that I could stay permanently in my same practice area or try again in a different (high grown for the firm) practice area, so I wasn't afraid I'd be of out of a job.  I had basically resolved to switch to the other practice area when I found a government job that was in my preferred practice area, and I took it.

It was the best decision I could have made.  I had been in biglaw so long that I didn't understand what I was missing.  My whole conception of myself and all of my creativity was tied up in my job.  I had no other interests (other than my kids) but I didn't realize there was anything wrong with that.  In my new job I do the work that I like, but I work sane hours.  And when I come home it turns out there are other things I want to do, and some of them are even related to the law like writing articles.  I had the same ideas while in biglaw but now I have time to actually do them.

The money loss was tough -- my salary went down by 1/2.  But surprisingly it hasn't hurt too much.  The most important thing is probably whether your kids are in private school and the size of your mortgage.  If you think this might be on the horizon plan for it now by going charter or possibly moving to MD or VA for the public schools.  Buy down your mortgage and refinance at a low rate you'll  be able to afford on the lower salary.[/quote]

OP here.  Thank you for your reply and for all of the other subject relevant replies.  Somehow the thread has been hijacked surrounding a discussion as to the top law firm in DC and whether a SAHM made the statement. [/quote]

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