What usually happens after you leave BigLaw? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 0L going into a T14 school next year. (yay!)

So lately I've been worrying about my future more in terms of job prospects.

I've never really found any info about what really happens to someone who doesn't make partner at BigLaw.

I mean, I do know that most people leave after 3-5 years, but what happens after that? I understand it's case by case, but my real concern is how easily can one get a new job?

Does having work experience at a prestigious firm almost guarantee a new job?

Especially in my case, being an international student from Asia, I'm thinking I'll probably work a couple of years in New York and then get transferred to Hong Kong or Tokyo or something. So if I leave the firm from that location I really don't know what would happen to me after I leave the firm and this sort of freaks me out.

Is there anyone who can give me some insight on this matter?

[Anonymous User]

I'm also interested in this question. How likely is it to find work in HK or Tokyo after a few years of Biglaw in NYC or LA? I heard that working a few years in NYC and then transfer to HK is a good option. Income tax in HK is lower, and one would start as a mid-level associate. Would being Asian help transferring to HK? Is it more likely to make partner in HK?

[Renzo]

1) go in-house
2) go to a smaller, less prestigious firm where you'll have a shot a partnership
3) go into government


Losing a biglaw job isn't the end of your legal career. It's just the end of your dreams of making a million dollars a year as a biglaw partner.

[Anonymous User]

Bump (OP)

[Anonymous User]

Nevermind. (OP)

[Cavalier]

Your trophy wife leaves you, your kids never want to see you, and you struggle to find a job that will give you some money to buy enough cheap liquor to drown your sorrows in.