What is BIGLAW? Forum
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What is BIGLAW?
What qualifies a firm as "biglaw"?
Here's one source's "Top 250 Firms" (based on number of attorneys): http://www.ilrg.com/nlj250
Would all 250 qualify as "biglaw"? Or just the top 100?..50?...5? Or are there even more than this list of 250?
Thanks,
HHH
Here's one source's "Top 250 Firms" (based on number of attorneys): http://www.ilrg.com/nlj250
Would all 250 qualify as "biglaw"? Or just the top 100?..50?...5? Or are there even more than this list of 250?
Thanks,
HHH
- annapavlova
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
No-no on the double post, dear.
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Biglaw is defined by the size of the building occupied by a particular firm.
For example:
--ImageRemoved--
Biglaw
--ImageRemoved--
Midlaw

Smalllaw (it's in the back, next to the Subway)
Any questions?
EDIT: I suppose I'll try and be a bit helpful too. Search reveals: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=31365
For example:
--ImageRemoved--
Biglaw
--ImageRemoved--
Midlaw

Smalllaw (it's in the back, next to the Subway)
Any questions?
EDIT: I suppose I'll try and be a bit helpful too. Search reveals: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=31365
Last edited by notanumber on Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Tangerine Gleam
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Let's be nice, now.
I'd answer if I actually knew, HHH.
I'd answer if I actually knew, HHH.
- Doritos
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
notanumber: I, like you, enjoy searching for fun pics to spice up my hilarious posts. I know it takes extra time and effort so I want to give you props on the entertaining entry.
hungryhippo: I think there are two camps...One that defines it by size, the other by salary. By and large the bigger the firm the bigger the salary (as far as I can tell) but there are smaller elite boutiques that pay top dolla.
hungryhippo: I think there are two camps...One that defines it by size, the other by salary. By and large the bigger the firm the bigger the salary (as far as I can tell) but there are smaller elite boutiques that pay top dolla.
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- ruleser
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
I think this story answers your question: http://www.ketv.com/news/20197534/detail.html
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Ummmmm that's tragic. A guy fails a performance test and then sues because he doesn't like why he failed it?ruleser wrote:I think this story answers your question: http://www.ketv.com/news/20197534/detail.html
OP, I can honestly say that although I throw the term "Big Law" around frequently, I have no idea what it means. In my head I imagine it to be a firm that has a combination of the following:
- in a physically large building
- starting salary of $120K+
- large number of employees

- reasonabledoubt
- Posts: 516
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
"Big Law" is a term used primarily by 0 and 1L's much in the same way undergraduate business school students refer to "The Fortune 500."
It's a very douchey term.
It's a very douchey term.
- ruleser
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
I was going for the pun: overweight cop=Big Lawjerzgrl630 wrote:Ummmmm that's tragic. A guy fails a performance test and then sues because he doesn't like why he failed it?ruleser wrote:I think this story answers your question: http://www.ketv.com/news/20197534/detail.html
OP, I can honestly say that although I throw the term "Big Law" around frequently, I have no idea what it means. In my head I imagine it to be a firm that has a combination of the following:
- in a physically large building
- starting salary of $120K+
- large number of employees
Maybe lost in the depth of the article

- jmaan
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Biglaw refers to the #of employees at a firm
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
"Biglaw" is a legendary and mythical creature that many believe exists in various concrete jungles throughout the world. Sightings of him such as this one . . .

AHHH!
. . . clearly suggest that he is real.

AHHH!

. . . clearly suggest that he is real.
- ravens20
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
awesome AvatarDoritos wrote:notanumber: I, like you, enjoy searching for fun pics to spice up my hilarious posts. I know it takes extra time and effort so I want to give you props on the entertaining entry.
hungryhippo: I think there are two camps...One that defines it by size, the other by salary. By and large the bigger the firm the bigger the salary (as far as I can tell) but there are smaller elite boutiques that pay top dolla.
- T14_Scholly
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Biglaw is where you go if you want to have any worth as a lawyer and as a person.
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Is this a serious comment?T14_Scholly wrote:Biglaw is where you go if you want to have any worth as a lawyer and as a person.
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
T14_Scholly wrote:Biglaw is where you go if you want to have any worth as a lawyer and as a person.
+1
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
ummmmm yeah i got it. i figured i could get the joke AND comment on the ridiculousness of the article.ruleser wrote:I was going for the pun: overweight cop=Big Lawjerzgrl630 wrote:Ummmmm that's tragic. A guy fails a performance test and then sues because he doesn't like why he failed it?ruleser wrote:I think this story answers your question: http://www.ketv.com/news/20197534/detail.html
OP, I can honestly say that although I throw the term "Big Law" around frequently, I have no idea what it means. In my head I imagine it to be a firm that has a combination of the following:
- in a physically large building
- starting salary of $120K+
- large number of employees
Maybe lost in the depth of the article
- 98234872348
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Hi flame.T14_Scholly wrote:Biglaw is where you go if you want to have any worth as a lawyer and as a person.

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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Well, I guess the both of you, with your particular brand of values, can look forward to your numerous divorces and alimony payments!D. H2Oman wrote:T14_Scholly wrote:Biglaw is where you go if you want to have any worth as a lawyer and as a person.
+1
- kittenmittons
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
To be fair, that's all anyone can hope for.scionb4 wrote:Well, I guess the both of you, with your particular brand of values, can look forward to your numerous divorces and alimony payments!D. H2Oman wrote:T14_Scholly wrote:Biglaw is where you go if you want to have any worth as a lawyer and as a person.
+1
hth
- 98234872348
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Pessimism win.kittenmittons wrote:To be fair, that's all anyone can hope for.
hth
- reasonable_man
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Re: What is BIGLAW?

If Your law office looks like the above picture, its safe to say you do not work in biglaw.
Generally speaking, biglaw is a firm with more than about 200 lawyers, with more than one major office that pays the "market rate," i.e. the highest that anyone can reasonably expect to earn in a particular jurisdiction. In NY, if your starting salary is not 160K, exclusive of bonus, you do not work in biglaw.
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- T14_Scholly
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
Did you pull that definition out of your @$$?reasonable_man wrote:
If Your law office looks like the above picture, its safe to say you do not work in biglaw.
Generally speaking, biglaw is a firm with more than about 200 lawyers, with more than one major office that pays the "market rate," i.e. the highest that anyone can reasonably expect to earn in a particular jurisdiction. In NY, if your starting salary is not 160K, exclusive of bonus, you do not work in biglaw.
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
I don't post here a lot, and since I actually started law school, I don't lurk as much, either, but it always baffles me when people have the idiocy to make personal attacks and try to shoot RM down. Maybe try spending a little time figuring out who you're talking to and consider that maybe he knows about this. Whereas you are the one pulling something out of your ass.
- reasonable_man
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
No. I pulled it from my 6 years of experience working in mid-sized law firms in NYC (2 of which as an attorney). Please explain to me how my definition is defective. I would LOVE to hear this...T14_Scholly wrote:Did you pull that definition out of your @$$?reasonable_man wrote:
If Your law office looks like the above picture, its safe to say you do not work in biglaw.
Generally speaking, biglaw is a firm with more than about 200 lawyers, with more than one major office that pays the "market rate," i.e. the highest that anyone can reasonably expect to earn in a particular jurisdiction. In NY, if your starting salary is not 160K, exclusive of bonus, you do not work in biglaw.
- los blancos
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Re: What is BIGLAW?
No, it's a jealous one.scionb4 wrote:Is this a serious comment?T14_Scholly wrote:Biglaw is where you go if you want to have any worth as a lawyer and as a person.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
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