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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm sure this differs across firms/practices somewhat, but at least for the current/retired BIGLAW firm partners that are on this forum, how important is "lifestyle" or "culture" fit when attempting to make partner at your firm, if at all? I ask because the partners in my group, and generally at my firm, tend to have several things in common when it comes to their lives/culture/lifestyle that do not appeal to me and I'm wondering if that would be an impediment to my advancement. I plan on asking a very close partner that has been willing to answer my questions off the record as well but I wanted to get an idea of how, if at all, other firms consider these aspects.

Current firm partner commonalities:

1. Multiple homes - Tend to own a home in the market where our office is, in addition to at least one other home in a vacation destination. Also, if they have kids of college age, may own a home for their kids to stay in  while in college/grad school.
2. Country club membership - Tend to be a member of a country club and take the family there for activities/brunch/events/etc as well as playing golf or tennis.
3. Luxury items - Tend to own a number of luxury items, including cars, jewelry, clothing, etc. Likely to have multiple watches they rotate among during the week.
4. Children - Tend to have multiple kids, ranging from 2 - 6 kids.
5. Hobbies - Aforementioned golf and tennis, but also tend to ski, play pickleball, extensive travel, attend sporting events, etc.

Personal differences:

1. Studio apartment - Currently living in the same studio apartment I rented in law school. I do a yearly review of my belongings to make sure everything I own can fit in my car if I needed to leave promptly. No plans to buy a SFH but I would consider buying a small 1BR condo if it made sense. Want to continue being able to fit all belongings in car.
2. Gym membership - Belong to multiple gyms in my city, but still far below the cost of country club membership. Don't play golf or tennis and no plans to take them up. Do not play sports in general, just exercise 1x-3x daily.
3. No luxury items - I do not purchase or own luxury items and do not wear jewelry. Cars are econoboxes that I drive for as long as possible. Currently driving a 2010 Honda Accord with 80k miles that I hope will be the last or second to last car needed prior to retirement.
4. Children/spouse: No kids and no plans for kids or a spouse. Tried dating early after law school and did not work out at all so focusing on career/fitness.
5. Hobbies: Just the 1-3x daily workouts, watching tv, video games, things along those lines. Don't follow/watch any sports, travel or leave my bubble too much. Make all my meals at home unless the firm is providing free food then I may have something from there. Don't drink alcohol or use any drugs other than caffeine.

All that being said, I'm a very hard worker. Other than my first year Ive tended to bill between 2200 - 2600 hours each year and have always gotten a bonus. There is a certain line of work that I am staffed on in my office that 100% comes to me with minimal supervision by the partners and that they have not bothered to become "up to date" on how it currently works so with 2 partners planning on retiring in the next year, all signs are pointing towards me making partner unless any of the above/something else were to stand in the way.

TL;DR - I live a very minimalist/"small" lifestyle in comparison to partners at my firm. Any chance this will prevent me from making partner or would nobody care as long as I'm bringing in work/doing the work at a high level?

[/quote]

Ask this on Reddit biglaw forum. This varies by firm and practice area. [/quote]

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