Accept a non-NLJ 250 offer over several big firm offers? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Currently have offers from 4 Vault ranked firms and one non-NLJ 250 firm. I really like the mid-size firm. Seems like it would be a good fit. People generally stay with the firm. Chances of making partner better. Will be raising a family soon.

I have heard and understand the exit options argument. Clearly more options at the more prestigious firms. "Easy to go down, hard to go up."

Am I not considering other relevant factors? Anyone else in a similar dilemma?

[gp86]

I guess the big "other" factor is debt. But if the firm wouldn't be too much of a pay decrease or your debt situation is fine, then why not? If you have a good chance of establishing a career there, then the exit options offered by big firms aren't as relevant.

[azntwice]

there is only one important thing that raises a flag for me. if you are raising a family soon, you need to have two things: time and money. biglaw will give you the money. mid-size will give you the time. if you think you will have enough money with the midsize firm to support the family, and you are very comfortable there and would be happy without the biglaw grind, then go for it.

[Anonymous User]

i think you kind of answered your own question. the fact that you're strongly considering the mid-size over the "prestige" of a highly ranked firm should tell you all you need to know. there must be something about the big law lifestyle that is giving you pause, otherwise you would probably already have accepted one of the vault offers.

if you'd genuinely be happy working at this midsize firm for the rest of your career, than by all means go for it.

[Grizz]

i think you kind of answered your own question. the fact that you're strongly considering the mid-size over the "prestige" of a highly ranked firm should tell you all you need to know. there must be something about the big law lifestyle that is giving you pause, otherwise you would probably already have accepted one of the vault offers.

if you'd genuinely be happy working at this midsize firm for the rest of your career, than by all means go for it.

Basically this

[Anonymous User]

I work at a midsize firm of about 150 lawyers in a top 15 metro area. We have very little turnover among associates and almost no turnover among senior (equity) partners. I also have friends working at V25 firms in New York and Chicago. Our starting salaries were $55k apart, but almost everyone who is competent at my firm at least makes junior (salary) partner within 6-8 years, and nobody looks at me funny if I have to go home at 5 p.m. for something. My average departure time is between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. I stay later than 8 p.m. maybe once or twice a month.

Needless to say, my friends hours are quite different.

It all depends on what you want out of your life. My friends' financial upside is considerably higher if they make partner, but I'd prefer to have a different kind of life and a better chance of actually having a full career at one place.

[Anonymous User]

I work at a midsize firm of about 150 lawyers in a top 15 metro area. We have very little turnover among associates and almost no turnover among senior (equity) partners. I also have friends working at V25 firms in New York and Chicago. Our starting salaries were $55k apart, but almost everyone who is competent at my firm at least makes junior (salary) partner within 6-8 years, and nobody looks at me funny if I have to go home at 5 p.m. for something. My average departure time is between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. I stay later than 8 p.m. maybe once or twice a month.

Needless to say, my friends hours are quite different.

It all depends on what you want out of your life. My friends' financial upside is considerably higher if they make partner, but I'd prefer to have a different kind of life and a better chance of actually having a full career at one place.

This is really helpful information. Thank you.

[ResIpsa21]

I work at a midsize firm of about 150 lawyers in a top 15 metro area. We have very little turnover among associates and almost no turnover among senior (equity) partners. I also have friends working at V25 firms in New York and Chicago. Our starting salaries were $55k apart, but almost everyone who is competent at my firm at least makes junior (salary) partner within 6-8 years, and nobody looks at me funny if I have to go home at 5 p.m. for something. My average departure time is between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. I stay later than 8 p.m. maybe once or twice a month.

Needless to say, my friends hours are quite different.

It all depends on what you want out of your life. My friends' financial upside is considerably higher if they make partner, but I'd prefer to have a different kind of life and a better chance of actually having a full career at one place.

This is really helpful information. Thank you.

I also found this post refreshing and helpful. Can I ask, how does one go about researching mid-size firms like this? I find it very difficult to get a good grasp of which firms like this are out there...

[Anonymous User]

whats the pay?

[Anonymous User]

whats the pay?

$135k base, about $10k in bonus upon hitting 1950 billable. In NY/LA/Chi.

[Anonymous User]

whats the pay?

$135k base, about $10k in bonus upon hitting 1950 billable. In NY/LA/Chi.

thats only slightly under market, and you will be happier. Also, it is probably not lockstep so you may have the opportunity to advance quicker. is it worth the extra 25K to be miserable?

[wiseowl]

People need to be very careful about the "more time" available in midlaw.

[SpiteFence]

I would be weary of "mid-law" shops in major markets that try to advertize themselves as "lifestyle" firms. It could be they are lying. It could be that the reason for shorter hours is lack of work. I would feel entirely more confident in mid-law in a secondary market.

[Anonymous User]

there are certain mid sized firms that really are less time / more career oriented / and projects are more thinly staffed.

[Anonymous User]

there are certain mid sized firms that really are less time / more career oriented / and projects are more thinly staffed.

Yeah I think the key is reaching out to several of the attorneys and making sure what they are saying is consistent.

[Anonymous User]

I work at a midsize firm of about 150 lawyers in a top 15 metro area. We have very little turnover among associates and almost no turnover among senior (equity) partners. I also have friends working at V25 firms in New York and Chicago. Our starting salaries were $55k apart, but almost everyone who is competent at my firm at least makes junior (salary) partner within 6-8 years, and nobody looks at me funny if I have to go home at 5 p.m. for something. My average departure time is between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. I stay later than 8 p.m. maybe once or twice a month.

Needless to say, my friends hours are quite different.

It all depends on what you want out of your life. My friends' financial upside is considerably higher if they make partner, but I'd prefer to have a different kind of life and a better chance of actually having a full career at one place.

I'm the OP for the quoted post. I agree that you have to be careful. Absolutely. There are places where you would have a different experience in midlaw.

Associates at my place average between 1900 to 2000 hours, some put in more but rarely more than 2100. We do not advertise our place as a "lifestyle" firm. In fact, I'm on the recruiting committee and we are told specifically not to use that phrase. We don't walk SAs to think they won't have to work hard. But "working hard" is relative to your market. Compared to NY/LA/DC we may seem like a lifestyle firm, but in our market putting in 2000+ hours is considered working hard. In some ways, researching your market is as important as researching your firm.