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Hello,

I'm looking to apply for law school Fall 2014. I've been a paralegal at a V10 Firm on a HUGE case for the past two years, going on three with a promotion coming this January. I was just offered a job with a 350 attorney firm for 20k more on my base per year in a smaller market with better hours. In terms of WE credentials, is it better to stay the course and remain with the large firm or take the money in the smaller market back home. I'll only be at either for 10 months or so. Or does it not make a real difference either way?

Thanks,

It doesn't make a difference so I'd just take more money.

Could the V10 realistically turn into a SA during law school if you stay? If you leave?

I have made connections at my current firm but an associateship would be contingent upon my law school admissions (t14 or bust in my current firm's case). The smaller firm is still more than 300 attorneys, just doesn't have the national reach that the other firm has obviously.

Ask the v10 to match the pay raise?

So wait, if you get into GULC you have a guarantee or at least reasonably good chance of being offered, regardless of 1L grades?

.

Definitely going to be proposing pay raise at the V10, not likely to happen given the bureaucracy and benchmarked compensation. In terms post-graduate employment, i'd assume you'd still have to have the credentials (school, gpa, etc.) to get in, it would just make for better conversation at OCI considering I underhand the culture and the work that goes into high stakes litigations from my experience at a big law firm. I actually think chances of post grad employment would be better at the smaller firm which is still
Amlaw 250, considering two of the partners i interviewed we're formerly paralegals at the firm. Main consideration is how it will affect my app, but it sounds like the effect is negligible.

What would the smaller firm think of you leaving after less than a year? Sounds like it's a pretty good size firm so they're likely used to some turnover, but no reason to build a bridge you plan to burn.

All they know is that I'm considering law school. They never inquired about when or where . Never came up in the interview.

Unless there is a significant chance that additional time with your current firm will increase your ability to land an SA there that you might not otherwise be able to get based on school, grades, etc., I would take the money and run.

badaboom61 wrote:Unless there is a significant chance that additional time with your current firm will increase your ability to land an SA there that you might not otherwise be able to get based on school, grades, etc., I would take the money and run.

+1
save the 20k and put it towards tuition, basically a scholly right there.