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I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:22 pm
by td6624
Why do people want BigLaw?

Just for the money? It's reputation as being all-consuming and soul-crushing doesn't outweigh that? Is that reputation overblown? I'd really like to hear everyone's thoughts on this. If there's another thread somewhere on here, please point me to it, because I haven't found it.

(I am a 0L, but I assume people here will have more insight. I'm not assuming that I would be able to get a BigLaw job, but it would be helpful to know if it's something I actually want to shoot for. Thanks.)

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:25 pm
by dreman510
Money, Reputation, Prestige, Opening doors to many career options

Ability to buy lots of blow

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:31 pm
by td6624
dreman510 wrote:
Ability to buy lots of blow
Probably the only way to work 110 hours/week.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:32 pm
by dreman510
td6624 wrote:
dreman510 wrote:
Ability to buy lots of blow
Probably the only way to work 110 hours/week.
Do you work to do blow, or do blow to work?

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:36 pm
by td6624
dreman510 wrote:
td6624 wrote:
dreman510 wrote:
Ability to buy lots of blow
Probably the only way to work 110 hours/week.
Do you work to do blow, or do blow to work?
A truly endless cycle.

no but srsly

anyone?

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:36 pm
by sternc
work to do blow

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:39 pm
by dreman510
td6624 wrote:
dreman510 wrote:
td6624 wrote:
dreman510 wrote:
Ability to buy lots of blow
Probably the only way to work 110 hours/week.
Do you work to do blow, or do blow to work?
A truly endless cycle.

no but srsly

anyone?
Most people do it initially for the money to pay off law school debt, for the initial resume prestige, and as a result all of the doors that will open, such as in house counsel, and jobs with better lifestyles. For those who truly want the prestige and money, they will stay on and (in an often futile) attempt to make partner

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:42 pm
by td6624
dreman510 wrote: Most people do it initially for the money to pay off law school debt, for the initial resume prestige, and as a result all of the doors that will open, such as in house counsel, and jobs with better lifestyles. For those who truly want the prestige and money, they will stay on and (in an often futile) attempt to make partner
I suppose that should have been fairly self-evident. whoooops. I guess the other thing I'd wanna know is, typically, how many years does it take for the BigLaw job to start giving you some of those other options?

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:43 pm
by rando
To compete. Most of us are competitive enough to get to this point. It never ends. Arguably, to work with the best.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:44 pm
by Pearalegal
td6624 wrote:
dreman510 wrote: Most people do it initially for the money to pay off law school debt, for the initial resume prestige, and as a result all of the doors that will open, such as in house counsel, and jobs with better lifestyles. For those who truly want the prestige and money, they will stay on and (in an often futile) attempt to make partner
I suppose that should have been fairly self-evident. whoooops. I guess the other thing I'd wanna know is, typically, how many years does it take for the BigLaw job to start giving you some of those other options?
Purely from my observations at my firm, which is definitely biglaw...most leave after 4-5 years and secure the positions they want. Whether thats because they've paid off their debt or thats when doors open, who knows.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:46 pm
by dreman510
td6624 wrote:
dreman510 wrote: Most people do it initially for the money to pay off law school debt, for the initial resume prestige, and as a result all of the doors that will open, such as in house counsel, and jobs with better lifestyles. For those who truly want the prestige and money, they will stay on and (in an often futile) attempt to make partner
I suppose that should have been fairly self-evident. whoooops. I guess the other thing I'd wanna know is, typically, how many years does it take for the BigLaw job to start giving you some of those other options?
As people have said in other threads, major drop out in Biglaw starts to occur after 2-3 years in Biglaw, but I would say the 3-4 year mark. Obviously, the longer you stay, probably the better, unless you leave on bad terms. If you look at job postings for boutiques and in house counsel, a lot of them will say "with 3+ year experience"

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:48 pm
by Cavalier
The money is amazing, and it opens a lot of doors.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:56 pm
by Kohinoor
Cavalier wrote:The money is amazing, and it opens a lot of doors.
to clubs filled with hooker sand blow.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:57 pm
by dreman510
Kohinoor wrote:
Cavalier wrote:The money is amazing, and it opens a lot of doors.
to clubs filled with hooker sand blow.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:13 pm
by blsingindisguise
I think people are leaving out that it's also the path of least resistance if you don't have something very specific you want to do. For those who either go to a top school or are in the top of their class at a lesser school, these firms come right to your door to interview and then make offers early in your second year; often at this point you've barely even had time to look at other things (in part because you've spent so much time going to callbacks at biglaw firms and haven't had time for much else), and assuming you get an offer you're faced with a concrete prospect of a $160k/year job or the vague notion of some "boutique" or government position that might or might not be out there for you.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:30 pm
by sternc
I'm sure there are countless answers to this question, but what are the kind of opportunities and job prospects that await after 4-6 years at BigLaw?

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:32 pm
by reasonable_man
Because contrary to what many people on TLS think, the hours at most law firms are awful. So why not get paid a lot, have some good exit options and prestige, along with a big salary; seeing as though your life is basically over anyway?

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:44 pm
by legends159
reasonable_man wrote:Because contrary to what many people on TLS think, the hours at most law firms are awful. So why not get paid a lot, have some good exit options and prestige, along with a big salary; seeing as though your life is basically over anyway?
the truth.

if you're afraid of working long hours as an attorney then try to get a gov't job ASAP

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:19 am
by td6624
legends159 wrote:
reasonable_man wrote:Because contrary to what many people on TLS think, the hours at most law firms are awful. So why not get paid a lot, have some good exit options and prestige, along with a big salary; seeing as though your life is basically over anyway?
the truth.

if you're afraid of working long hours as an attorney then try to get a gov't job ASAP
There's a difference between 70-80 and 100 though, isn't there?

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:20 am
by cardnal124
td6624 wrote:
legends159 wrote:
reasonable_man wrote:Because contrary to what many people on TLS think, the hours at most law firms are awful. So why not get paid a lot, have some good exit options and prestige, along with a big salary; seeing as though your life is basically over anyway?
the truth.

if you're afraid of working long hours as an attorney then try to get a gov't job ASAP
There's a difference between 70-80 and 100 though, isn't there?
Yes, you can afford fewer strippers at the office working 70-80

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:22 am
by dreman510
cardnal124 wrote:
td6624 wrote:
legends159 wrote:
reasonable_man wrote:Because contrary to what many people on TLS think, the hours at most law firms are awful. So why not get paid a lot, have some good exit options and prestige, along with a big salary; seeing as though your life is basically over anyway?
the truth.

if you're afraid of working long hours as an attorney then try to get a gov't job ASAP
There's a difference between 70-80 and 100 though, isn't there?
Yes, you can afford fewer strippers at the office working 70-80
Dont forget the blow

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:24 am
by cardnal124
^^ And much better hookers without VD

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:28 am
by tome
wow, what a load of uninformed, unsupported bullshit. The idea behind this thread is good, but could people please stop posting a bunch of random shit they just heard and presenting it as fact. You sound ridiculous, and it is helping no one. Except for the stuff about that blow; that stuff is solid.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:33 am
by cardnal124
tome wrote:wow, what a load of uninformed, unsupported bullshit. The idea behind this thread is good, but could people please stop posting a bunch of random shit they just heard and presenting it as fact. You sound ridiculous, and it is helping no one. Except for the stuff about that blow; that stuff is solid.
Why do people want money and power? Damn tough question, for a psychology class.

Re: I don't know that I've seen an answer for this yet....

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:45 am
by reasonable_man
tome wrote:wow, what a load of uninformed, unsupported bullshit. The idea behind this thread is good, but could people please stop posting a bunch of random shit they just heard and presenting it as fact. You sound ridiculous, and it is helping no one. Except for the stuff about that blow; that stuff is solid.


I'm sorry dick... But why exactly are you more of an expert on this topic than me or anyone else?