What is the most common reason people leave biglaw? Forum

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What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

1. They are forced to leave by partners.
10
20%
2. They can't stand the hours, type of work, or quality of life.
38
78%
3. They choose a different career path entirely.
1
2%
4. Other.
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 49

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Julio_El_Chavo

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What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by Julio_El_Chavo » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:27 pm

I think it's because associates get forced out after a while.

imchuckbass58

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by imchuckbass58 » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:32 pm

Julio_El_Chavo wrote:I think it's because associates get forced out after a while.
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).

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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drmguy

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by drmguy » Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:49 pm

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.

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Julio_El_Chavo

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by Julio_El_Chavo » Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:19 pm

imchuckbass58 wrote:
Julio_El_Chavo wrote:I think it's because associates get forced out after a while.
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).

So you could call these people "forced out," but by the same token it's not as if they're asked to leave.
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.

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by Anonymous User » Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:50 pm

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.

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cattleprod

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by cattleprod » Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:26 pm

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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Na_Swatch

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by Na_Swatch » Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:33 pm

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.

mrloblaw

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by mrloblaw » Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:51 pm

cattleprod 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.
Subtle hints? Sounds like the ideal place for George Costanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnofMbHgHfc

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by 071816 » Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:52 pm

mrloblaw wrote:
cattleprod 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.
Subtle hints? Sounds like the ideal place for George Costanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnofMbHgHfc
lol nice

goodolgil

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Re: What is the most common reason people leave biglaw?

Post by goodolgil » Fri Nov 11, 2011 3:29 pm

mrloblaw wrote:
cattleprod 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.
Subtle hints? Sounds like the ideal place for George Costanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnofMbHgHfc
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.

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