What is the most common reason people leave biglaw? Forum
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- Julio_El_Chavo
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What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
I think it's because associates get forced out after a while.
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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
Depends what you mean by "forced." I really think it's a combination of (1) and (2). Relatively few associates are explicitly asked to leave. Instead, by your 4th year or so, most associates start getting the subtle message (though reviews, informal conversations, etc.) that they don't really have a shot at making partner, at which point they decide to look for other jobs, figuring it's not worthwhile to put up with the hours, stress, etc. if you're going to be a perma-associate (or get pushed out in 2-3 years).Julio_El_Chavo wrote:I think it's because associates get forced out after a while.
So you could call these people "forced out," but by the same token it's not as if they're asked to leave.
- drmguy
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- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:43 am
Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
This thread seems pointless.
I am assuming it is just to give false hope about making partner.
A survey filled out by a bunch of 0Ls is not going to change anything.
I am assuming it is just to give false hope about making partner.
A survey filled out by a bunch of 0Ls is not going to change anything.
- Julio_El_Chavo
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- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:09 pm
Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
I guess "forced" isn't a broad enough term to encapsulate what I meant. I'm referring to people who leave because of subtle messages about their dim prospects for making partner in option 2.imchuckbass58 wrote:Depends what you mean by "forced." I really think it's a combination of (1) and (2). Relatively few associates are explicitly asked to leave. Instead, by your 4th year or so, most associates start getting the subtle message (though reviews, informal conversations, etc.) that they don't really have a shot at making partner, at which point they decide to look for other jobs, figuring it's not worthwhile to put up with the hours, stress, etc. if you're going to be a perma-associate (or get pushed out in 2-3 years).Julio_El_Chavo wrote:I think it's because associates get forced out after a while.
So you could call these people "forced out," but by the same token it's not as if they're asked to leave.
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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
At my firm (top NYC) it's literally 90%+ option 2 or option 3 (they're really the same when you come right down to it). This varies firm to firm. Basically the only people who get forced out are associates who have been at the firm for years but aren't cut out for partner, most pick up on signals, get tired, or want a change instead.
The life of a big law attorney isn't gentle.
The life of a big law attorney isn't gentle.
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- Posts: 86
- Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2011 3:18 am
Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
The partners don't want to fire you.
They want associates to take the hint and start looking for a job elsewhere in a Fortune 1000 company as general counsel.
Then they want you to hire the law firm where you used to work.
Trust me. They will give you a long time to look if you are promising.
Their goal is for you to leave on good terms and become a million dollar client in the future.
They want associates to take the hint and start looking for a job elsewhere in a Fortune 1000 company as general counsel.
Then they want you to hire the law firm where you used to work.
Trust me. They will give you a long time to look if you are promising.
Their goal is for you to leave on good terms and become a million dollar client in the future.
- Na_Swatch
- Posts: 467
- Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:40 pm
Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
I think people are underestimating how many people are forced to leave. Of course most V100 firms rarely lets people go (ITE mass layoffs aside), but many will make the message clear that you're on notice and should find another job soon or they WILL fire you. Several people who've actually worked at these firms say that this fact isn't as apparent while they were in law school, but they realized it after joining firms.
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- Posts: 534
- Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:00 pm
Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
Subtle hints? Sounds like the ideal place for George Costanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnofMbHgHfccattleprod wrote:The partners don't want to fire you.
They want associates to take the hint and start looking for a job elsewhere in a Fortune 1000 company as general counsel.
Then they want you to hire the law firm where you used to work.
Trust me. They will give you a long time to look if you are promising.
Their goal is for you to leave on good terms and become a million dollar client in the future.
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- Posts: 5507
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:06 pm
Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
lol nicemrloblaw wrote:Subtle hints? Sounds like the ideal place for George Costanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnofMbHgHfccattleprod wrote:The partners don't want to fire you.
They want associates to take the hint and start looking for a job elsewhere in a Fortune 1000 company as general counsel.
Then they want you to hire the law firm where you used to work.
Trust me. They will give you a long time to look if you are promising.
Their goal is for you to leave on good terms and become a million dollar client in the future.
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- Posts: 917
- Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 6:01 pm
Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?
That's exactly what I thought about when I heard that many people accept "cold offers." Would really like to hear a story of someone who did.mrloblaw wrote:Subtle hints? Sounds like the ideal place for George Costanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnofMbHgHfccattleprod wrote:The partners don't want to fire you.
They want associates to take the hint and start looking for a job elsewhere in a Fortune 1000 company as general counsel.
Then they want you to hire the law firm where you used to work.
Trust me. They will give you a long time to look if you are promising.
Their goal is for you to leave on good terms and become a million dollar client in the future.