I telecommute from TX for a DC based company. It is awesome. I do go to DC two times a year, and we have inter-office Skype and do video calls, so there is constant connection. I love being able to make dinner, do laundry, wear casual clothes, and see service people on my own schedule. We save on commute time, dress-up clothes, and commuting costs. We see our children more because we don't have to commute.

I would check to make sure you don't have to work CA hours.

I also do what someone else suggested - start the mornings at a cafe or something, and then come home to take calls in quiet.

You could always switch jobs later if it isn't a good fit but since you are unhappy in your current job it seems like a good opportunity.

Anonymous wrote:I am a burned-out biglaw associate in DC. Husband works for feds so we are tied to DC. I just received an amazing in-house offer from a client. It is a large CA company with no DC office. About 30 lawyers. Two of them work remotely from other parts of the country, and the GC said I could have the same arrangement. I am a little concerned about office politics and being so far from most of my coworkers. Is this a rational concern? Otherwise it is a dream job.

Do they want another lawyer? I would take that job in a second.

Anonymous wrote:I'm super jealous and would do it in a heartbeat. That said, PP brings up a good point about West Coast hours. Also, make sure you understand the tax situation -- I believe you have to file in CA.

I'm the DC resident working in CA. You don't have to file in CA unless you exceed a certain number of days in CA itself. Your employer will need a DC employer if though.

Anonymous wrote:Funny, I'm also with a large CA company and telecommute.

Total lack of face to face interaction is hard to do without feeling disconnected.

I fly to SFO from DCA every 3 weeks for 1 week. It works nicely.

Do it.

+1 I work for an Atlanta based company and fly to any of our major regional locations for a week each month. Everyone knows my face, they respond more readily and positively to my emails, and my boss tells me he hears from others that "Larla was here last week and she helped us with this!" It has kept everyone happy.

Though you didn't mention it and it may not have come up, plan on going to CA a few times a year. Suggest it even.

I'm super jealous and would do it in a heartbeat. That said, PP brings up a good point about West Coast hours. Also, make sure you understand the tax situation -- I believe you have to file in CA.

Do you have to keep west coast hours. Do you have kids?

I've been half working from home the last few weeks during the holidays, as there have been little to no meetings in the office. I love it. I get to sleep more, get home earlier, cook from scratch. I go to a cafe for the first half of the day where other telecommuters, and start-up types are also working - I find I'm productive when surrounded by a buzz. Then head home for lunch and settle in at my home desk for the afternoon, where I can take calls in quiet environment.

I'd be really tempted. Reduced costs to the family in the car, clothing, and food departments.

Funny, I'm also with a large CA company and telecommute.

Total lack of face to face interaction is hard to do without feeling disconnected.

I fly to SFO from DCA every 3 weeks for 1 week. It works nicely.

Do it.

I was a very early telecommuter (beginning in 1990). You will be unlikely to advance or receive much in the way of pay raises or bonuses if you are telecommuting full time. Coworkers do not take you as seriously and my family's expectations of my "at home" role definitely increased, despite repeat attempts to reset. Also, you are never really away from work when you are a telecommuter.
I was offered the opportunity because I'm very self driven. I know others who ended up watching lots of TV and gaining weight. I wouldn't have given it up, but it's not always all it's cracked up to be.

How could you say no?? Teleworking 100% of the time doing your dream job. A no brainer. You won't look back on biglaw.

Say Yes!

Omg do it. That's the dream!

I am a burned-out biglaw associate in DC. Husband works for feds so we are tied to DC. I just received an amazing in-house offer from a client. It is a large CA company with no DC office. About 30 lawyers. Two of them work remotely from other parts of the country, and the GC said I could have the same arrangement. I am a little concerned about office politics and being so far from most of my coworkers. Is this a rational concern? Otherwise it is a dream job.