Biglaw lawyer taking questions Forum

[3rdYrLitigator]

I've talked to a couple of associates in the year 2-3 range (when fatigue starts to set it) who have expressed that they would love to go into private practice for themselves, or work at a boutique firm.

Are these sentiments generally considered pipe dreams, or have you seen this kind of thing happen? If a junior associate isn't given the skill set or connections to start their own firm, or work boutique, what generally happens to all the dropouts at firms with high attrition rates?

As far as I've seen, no one really goers out on their own after 2-3 years at Biglaw. I'm sure people do it, but I've never seen it. People do all sorts of things, lateral to smaller firms, boutiques, government or leave law entirely.

[3rdYrLitigator]

He was eventually pushed out of the firm because the area of the law he specialized in grew less lucrative over time

What is your advice to current students and junior associates on how best to guard against this? I'd like to hear input on this from you, the OP, and any other lawyer in this thread.

There's nothing you can do. It's life. He got another awesome job that he liked a lot and worked there happily until he retired.

If you want to be an M&A lawyer, and Congress decides to throw a wrench into the system and federalizes takeover law due to threats from China leaving deal volume slashed by 90%, you're going to stop being an M&A lawyer. No class, firm choice, personality quirk, insurance policy, or good luck charm will save you. But if you're a good lawyer, some one will be there to pay you for doing their lawyering in some context.

That particular example is hyperbolic, but the example of the recent mass layoffs shows it can be quite real. One day your securitization practice is booming, the next your securitization practice blows up the economy, the next you're fired.

So it goes.

I'd pretty much agree with this. I don't think you can really predict what's going to be the best practice area 10 years from now. Just do what you're interested in and hope it works out.

[3rdYrLitigator]

This is an interesting thread. Thank you for offering your time and advice.

You wrote earlier that associates at all levels are asked to leave your firm all the time. When that happens, are they just summarily fired and forced to leave ("you've been laid off and have to leave in two weeks") or do they discreetly get an indefinite amount of time to look for another job first? Any adjustments to that process during this economy? Do you know where these dismissed associates at your firm usually ended up?

From what I understand it's generally a conversation like "you should be looking at other opportunities." I think the general understanding is you get 6 months and then they'll just fire you. I don't think they say that outright. I don't think they'll just say you have 2 weeks, unless it's a mass layoff deal or you are really a bad associate at least not at my firm. There didn't seem to be any adjustment due to the economy, people still got about 6 months to look. Associates ended up at smaller firms, peer firms, government, or out of law entirely, it really varies.

Do they do this and then not give you any assistance in finding anything else (ie not giving good references when asked)?

It depends, if they thought you were ok but not great, they may try to place you at a client. Otherwise, seems like you're on your own.

[schooner]

One year from now, would you ever consider an applicant who graduated this year but struck out at OCI, didn't get any offers, and has been working in a job that's only somewhat related to law (or not at all)? Or do you consider only fresh graduates for first year associate positions? Would you think that the person was a victim of this economy or suspect that firms passed on the person for good reason?

[3rdYrLitigator]

One year from now, would you ever consider an applicant who graduated this year but struck out at OCI, didn't get any offers, and has been working in a job that's only somewhat related to law (or not at all)? Or do you consider only fresh graduates for first year associate positions? Would you think that the person was a victim of this economy or suspect that firms passed on the person for good reason?

I believe that my firm only looks at students for entry level. I certainly wouldn't hold it against anyone, I know plenty of smart people who struck out due to the economy, but I really think that they wouldn't get a shot from my firm.

[3rdYrLitigator]

So it's recruiting season again, I'll be on and off this weekend answering questions.

[IrwinM.Fletcher]

So it's recruiting season again, I'll be on and off this weekend answering questions.

What are some of the better questions to ask during a callback (beyond the normal summer program/work assignment stuff)?

[Anonymous User]

how long does it take to decide on whether to give an offer to someone? Thanks

[sayornis]

Thanks so much for doing this.

I apologize if this has already been asked (looked through the first half of the thread and didn't see it).

Can you give a list of top 5 most common recurring tasks that you're asked to do as a litigation associate? If you could provide a some details about each of the tasks that would be great as well.

[Anonymous User]

How much does UG grades play in the process? I went to a not-so-great UG and failed miserably in my second year (family stuff-suicide and other deaths) and then did really well my last 2 years. However, I still have a low UG GPA. I applied to diversity fellowships and did well in school (still dont have 2 grades back though, but those classes I feel the most confident about) and I wonder if the UG school/GPA will hurt me significantly. I didn't spend time explaining my UG grades in my diversity statement since I felt I had more important stuff to talk about, and because I was hoping good law school grades would trump the bad (B average) UG grades. Also because I don't know how going in depth about those particular family issues could come out explaining the grades rather than giving off the impression that I cant recover from stress.

[roranoa]

How much WE after UG graduation (before law school) play in recruitment?

What if I didn't have a stable job for a couple of years but instead did private tutoring to support myself.

[dixiecupdrinking]

FYI this thread has been dead for 1.5 years.

[roranoa]

FYI this thread has been dead for 1.5 years.

Thanks for the notice