Quit biglaw with no job (please don't quote) Forum

[mvp99]

time return that yachtmaster

[run26.2]

It's not hard to imagine a for-profit employer that was presented with a resume that had showed a biglaw position followed by a stint at a volunteer position thinking exactly that the volunteer position as a gap-filler. That sequence could raise questions about the person's judgment and commitment (at least a little bit). On the judgment front because why not just take a short time off? (The natural answer is, as others have stated, because it probably is harder to find a job when you're unemployed.) On the commitment front, because why someone would take a position they didn't intend to keep?

I think a lot of employers would look at that and see it as the move of someone looking to make a career change, and not see it as a problem.

This is not different from what I said. Yes, some employers will not care.

That said, if I were reviewing a resume, I would care less about a gap than about a change that appears strange. To me, most rational people do not go from a job that pays at or near $200k to a volunteer position. The only good explanation for that is a carer change. The permissible explanation is filling in the gap, and it is certainly going to just look like an effort to not have a gap. So, why not just have a gap?

My point is one of caution, especially since OP is under stress and may make a decision that s/he would otherwise make. If OP is sure that s/he wants to go into public service, some types of government, or non-profit, fine, it's less risky to take a volunteer position, especially if it is in an area related to what the OP wants to do long term. But a path biglaw to volunteer to something other than public service, some government, non-proft, seems like it will be difficult.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I'm sure you're right about the distinction between government/public interest and the private sector. I disagree about the gap because I tend to think it looks better to do something than to do nothing, even if the something isn't quite as directly connected to where you were/what you want to do. But it's something about which reasonable minds can differ. I think you can spin either a gap or volunteering a number of ways.

[dixiecupdrinking]

I would really encourage OP to have a frank discussion with the firm. It will not be an easy conversation to have, but a leave of absence or something along those lines is probably the best outcome here. Firms generally want their associates to land on their feet. If you're ready to walk out the door anyway, try to work something out to give yourself a softer landing.

[emkay625]

I would advise downsizing your expenses if you decide to do this—sublease your apartment and move to a more affordable place, get rid of cable, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Sorry OP. I'm actually in a similar situation (although not as dire as yours). Are you doing corporate or litigation? With your finance background, I think you can prob find a position in a non-profit organization that's more transaction oriented, because they usually want people who can handle legal issues and also deal with numbers.

I know how you feel. I really do. But my suggestion is don't quit yet. Like the poster above said, first downsize your expenses. Live like you guys only have one income. Then just start slacking. Seriously, stop responding to emails and phone calls. I never thought people actually did this until I saw it with my own eyes. Guess what that person is still working at the firm. People will complain, but they will just go to someone else, and your workload will be lightened. And then you can come back and be more responsive so that people are not completely mad at you. Of course, you do risk burning bridges. The alternative is to take a leave of absence. Go part time. Do whatever you can to decrease your work load. Or just say no. I mean what are they gonna do, fire you? You were ready to quit anyway.

[rpupkin]

I would really encourage OP to have a frank discussion with the firm. It will not be an easy conversation to have, but a leave of absence or something along those lines is probably the best outcome here. Firms generally want their associates to land on their feet. If you're ready to walk out the door anyway, try to work something out to give yourself a softer landing.

Agree with this. If OP were ambivalent about leaving—if there was some chance that the OP would eventually decide to stay—then I would suggest against telling the firm. But it sounds to me like the OP is 100% set on leaving the firm. The only uncertainty lies in how the OP will leave.

OP: Tell a partner you know that you're having physical and mental problems and that you're considering leaving. (But stop short of telling the firm that you have an offer to work as a volunteer attorney elsewhere.) The firm won't fire you right away. There's a decent chance that they'll substantially reduce your workload while still paying you a full-time salary—at least for a few months. It seems to me that being honest with the firm is all upside here.

[Anonymous User]

Sorry OP. I'm actually in a similar situation (although not as dire as yours). Are you doing corporate or litigation? With your finance background, I think you can prob find a position in a non-profit organization that's more transaction oriented, because they usually want people who can handle legal issues and also deal with numbers.

I know how you feel. I really do. But my suggestion is don't quit yet. Like the poster above said, first downsize your expenses. Live like you guys only have one income. Then just start slacking. Seriously, stop responding to emails and phone calls. I never thought people actually did this until I saw it with my own eyes. Guess what that person is still working at the firm. People will complain, but they will just go to someone else, and your workload will be lightened. And then you can come back and be more responsive so that people are not completely mad at you. Of course, you do risk burning bridges. The alternative is to take a leave of absence. Go part time. Do whatever you can to decrease your work load. Or just say no. I mean what are they gonna do, fire you? You were ready to quit anyway.

My issue with this is background/reference checks from potential future employers. Also the people that I work with are extremely demanding. Do this a couple times, and it might result in an automatic firing.

[Anonymous User]

OP here - most people IRL keep telling me I'm crazy to consider this and to keep doing the job "for the money" and to "reduce the gap" etc., but I'm wondering why bother if I don't want to do this in the future? I feel like I need to find the right career fit for me. It's not like I put in 2 months and decided to call it quits, it's been this way for years, except recently I've been feeling a stronger dislike for the job.

[dixiecupdrinking]

OP here - most people IRL keep telling me I'm crazy to consider this and to keep doing the job "for the money" and to "reduce the gap" etc., but I'm wondering why bother if I don't want to do this in the future? I feel like I need to find the right career fit for me. It's not like I put in 2 months and decided to call it quits, it's been this way for years, except recently I've been feeling a stronger dislike for the job.

Anyone telling you to keep doing it "for the money" doesn't know what the hell they're talking about. 95% of biglaw associates are going to have to leave at some point, so it's not like you're making some dramatic choice here. If anything you're just accelerating the inevitable.

BUT -- yes, try to reduce the gap. It will be harder for you to find ANY work if you quit without something else permanent lined up. Again -- as me and rpupkin and others are saying -- why don't you want to ask for a leave of absence, or a reduced workload, or any number of accommodations from your firm? You're planning on burning these bridges anyway, there is no reason not to ask. They'll probably give you at least a few months of being nominally employed by the firm so you can think this through a little more. There is no downside.

[crib]

Not sure why you so quickly dismissed lateralling. Sometimes things can change very significantly, especially if you change practice areas a little bit and/or firm size.

[Anonymous User]

OP here - I think I'm intent on switching industries (aka go back to school for one year - since i have a background in another industry anyway) if I don't get a public service job.

Spouse and I looked at our finances and we have around $240k liquid, which may keep us going for awhile. We may end up moving apartments to somewhere that spouse can pay for.

Me quitting is going to really fuck us over financially in terms of saving, but I cannot see myself doing this work in the long term. I guess my point is - why keep postponing the inevitable? I have hated this job since day one but I stuck it out for years already. I feel like I'm going to waste the remainder of my youth otherwise.

[lacrossebrother]

Why not try to go solo? And do it in the field that you want to do gov work in so you can network that way? Do it for two years living modestly. Abandon ship if it's not paying dividends

[Anonymous User]

Why not try to go solo? And do it in the field that you want to do gov work in so you can network that way? Do it for two years living modestly. Abandon ship if it's not paying dividends

I might do that. I'd basically have to learn everything though since biglaw teaches you pretty much nothing that translates to most public service jobs. My other option is to do free public service work for awhile at an agency, pick up some skills, and then get hired either at that agency or somewhere similar.

[ProsecutorJr]

I'm only chiming in to argue against what was suggested by a couple of folks above: mailing it in until they fire you.

You're going to put this firm on your resume. If you burn your bridges on the way out the door, you may find that a future (highly desirable) job is unavailable because the employer calls the firm and gets negative feedback.

[lacrossebrother]

Why not try to go solo? And do it in the field that you want to do gov work in so you can network that way? Do it for two years living modestly. Abandon ship if it's not paying dividends

I might do that. I'd basically have to learn everything though since biglaw teaches you pretty much nothing that translates to most public service jobs. My other option is to do free public service work for awhile at an agency, pick up some skills, and then get hired either at that agency or somewhere similar.

To me it seems like if you've got a reasonable stockpile of savings, and don't like working for partners, now is the total right time to try to be solo. People manage to do it straight out of law school --it's nuts and probably borderline malpractice, but it sometimes even works then. You know a lot more than those people, plus you have cash. Plus your parents would probably be on board if you spin it right, and might even be able to hook you up with some clients.

[rpupkin]

I'm only chiming in to argue against what was suggested by a couple of folks above: mailing it in until they fire you.

You're going to put this firm on your resume. If you burn your bridges on the way out the door, you may find that a future (highly desirable) job is unavailable because the employer calls the firm and gets negative feedback.

No employer with any legal sense gives negative feedback on a reference call. HR will field the call and say something generic.

[jess]

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[gaddockteeg]

Dude, get an LLM.

You sound like the perfect candidate. For most people, the LLM's benefit is marginal and usually not worth the cost, but if your rich parents are willing to foot the bill for a prestigious (to the layman) extra degree - its worth it. Better yet, you can probably do your volunteer job and study for the LLM at night. NYU has a night time online LLM from what I remember (might be tax only but you can look at options yourself).

Lastly, LLM is the perfect way to switch practice groups (aside from a federal clerkship), buys you time to get a good gov. gig, and is a great story to explain why you left your big law job.

[Anonymous User]

Don't quit until you have a job lined up. It took me a year to find a new job.

[Anonymous User]

Don't quit until you have a job lined up. It took me a year to find a new job.

Was it a job you wanted or just some random job? Were you still looking in law?

[Anonymous User]

I'm in a similiar situation, although slightly different. I've been in NYC big law for 1.5 years but want to return to my home market. Is a gap in resume defensible in this situation? Although not my first choice, I dont mind doing another stint in biglaw in my home southern market. I, of course would have to take the bar again, but I'm wondering if firms would care a lot if i took a few months to myself before working again.