Chicago Vault Firm vs. Good Fit Secondary Firm Forum

[Anonymous User]

So im going to one of those midwestern T25s and its come down to 2 offers for me.

1, a fairly well known Chicago firm that pays market (160k) and would have very good exit options but I wasn't really in love with and 2, a firm that is top/near the top of their secondary market (think KC, Indy) that I LOVED but would have worse exit options and would pay much, much less.

I will be coming out of law school with no, or negligible debt and a SO with minimal debt as well who is happy and able to settle down in either city.

Goals: not entirely sold on going hard core partner track and would probably be much happier lateraling after 5-8 yrs and taking a reduction in hrs for a non-equity partnership offer.

So, ......what are peoples opinions?

[Anonymous User]

So im going to one of those midwestern T25s and its come down to 2 offers for me.

1, a fairly well known Chicago firm that pays market (160k) and would have very good exit options but I wasn't really in love with and 2, a firm that is top/near the top of their secondary market (think KC, Indy) that I LOVED but would have worse exit options and would pay much, much less.

I will be coming out of law school with no, or negligible debt and a SO with minimal debt as well who is happy and able to settle down in either city.

Goals: not entirely sold on gonna hard core partner track and would probably be much happier lateraling after 5-8 yrs and taking a reduction in hrs for a non-equity partnership offer.

So, ......what are peoples opinions?

Sort of depends on practice area, but I think Chicago market paying firm is going to best the secondary market firm in almost all categories.

[IAFG]

Goals: not entirely sold on gonna hard core partner track and would probably be much happier lateraling after 5-8 yrs and taking a reduction in hrs for a non-equity partnership offer.

If you're correctly predicting what you will want down the road right here, I think the Chicago firm is the right call.

What about the Chicago firm makes you hesitate?

[Anonymous User]

What's the practice area? What's the Chicago firm? I'm going to a Chicago firm and interviewed at and researched several of them. They're pretty different.

[Anonymous User]

[/quote] Sort of depends on practice area, but I think Chicago market paying firm is going to best the secondary market firm in almost all categories.[/quote]

Practice area would be very broadly Corporate or finance.

Goals: not entirely sold on gonna hard core partner track and would probably be much happier lateraling after 5-8 yrs and taking a reduction in hrs for a non-equity partnership offer.

If you're correctly predicting what you will want down the road right here, I think the Chicago firm is the right call.

What about the Chicago firm makes you hesitate?

I was just "ehhh" about everyone I met at the Chicago firm plus the hours, stress and the fact that the secondary firm is SOOO much more laid back and friendly.

As for which firm specifically, Im not entirely sure I wanna out the specific firms as of yet (sorry). But Chicago is one of the firms in the class below K&E, Baker and Sidley Austin.

[Anonymous User]

Sort of depends on practice area, but I think Chicago market paying firm is going to best the secondary market firm in almost all categories.

Practice area would be very broadly Corporate or finance.

Corporate and finance work will be vastly superior in Chicago. The secondary market firms and clients will probably eat up that experience in 4-5 years when it's time to lateral.

[IAFG]

Sort of depends on practice area, but I think Chicago market paying firm is going to best the secondary market firm in almost all categories.

Practice area would be very broadly Corporate or finance.

Corporate and finance work will be vastly superior in Chicago. The secondary market firms and clients will probably eat up that experience in 4-5 years when it's time to lateral.

Agreed, the firm OP currently has an offer at will probably available again later, along with other similar options.