Me: 2013 grad, T20 slightly above median, strong prior WE, solid SA, T10 UG, NE corridor-focused.
Midlaw: Respected firm in major (non-NYC) NE market, not main office, pay one tier below biglaw, transactional niche that is somewhat interesting but not what I know I want to do, 2nd choice city.
Staff Atty: Biglaw, different major (non-NYC) NE market, not main office, pay: ???, 1st choice city, my preferred transactional niche, a top firm in this practice area.
I get that taking a staff attorney job comes with severe limitations and I'm not counting on transitioning to a full associate, but it's exactly what I want to do, where I want to do it. I'd be happy to practice for a couple years and try to move out of law into that business.
But the midlaw gig really has no drawbacks and it is an actual associate spot where I could see myself being as happy as any lawyer could be.
What would you do in my shoes?
What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty. Forum
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Anonymous User
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lolwat
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
i'd take midlaw
maybe find out as much as possible about the staff attorney job, but i can't see it being better
maybe also talk to them and see if you can turn that staff atty job into a full associate job... i mean, if you have that offer already they seem interested, so if the options for them become (1) lose you or (2) hire you as a full associate, they may very well do #2.
and of course if that fails, you still have the midlaw job to go to!
maybe find out as much as possible about the staff attorney job, but i can't see it being better
maybe also talk to them and see if you can turn that staff atty job into a full associate job... i mean, if you have that offer already they seem interested, so if the options for them become (1) lose you or (2) hire you as a full associate, they may very well do #2.
and of course if that fails, you still have the midlaw job to go to!
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MayomiSanchez
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
This does not seem like a close decision to me. Midlaw.
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anonymous2012
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
Midlaw and it's not close.
But for arguments sake, define this midlaw. NLJ 250?
But for arguments sake, define this midlaw. NLJ 250?
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NinerFan
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
Staff attorneys, based on everything I hear, have little upward potential and does not look impressive on a resume regardless of the firm you're at.
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Anonymous User
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
OP here. Thanks for the responses. I think I knew this was the case, but I just needed to make sure I wasn't dead wrong and would be throwing away a great opportunity in the Staff Atty. job.
Yes, NLJ 250. Top half if memory serves.anonymous2012 wrote: But for arguments sake, define this midlaw. NLJ 250?
Nice idea. I'll try this angle.lolwat wrote:maybe also talk to them and see if you can turn that staff atty job into a full associate job... i mean, if you have that offer already they seem interested, so if the options for them become (1) lose you or (2) hire you as a full associate, they may very well do #2.
and of course if that fails, you still have the midlaw job to go to!
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synergy
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
I think what people are neglecting to consider here is that the duties for the position of "Staff Attorney" in big law firms have traditionally consisted almost entirely of doc review. Judging by how OP has described the position as a specific niche practice, there's a chance that this position isn't the doc review job most of us think of when we hear staff attorney but instead might be basically an associate with less pay/hours. At my firm, the staff attorneys do the same work as the associates and don't do any doc review really. I think it's a bit premature to say the midlaw position for sure without at least hearing about some of the more specific details, or even the general details like the pay for the staff attorney position.
As an aside, OP would you care to share how you were able to snag 2 pretty good gigs like these at this stage of the game? Particularly with (no offense) only okay credentials?
As an aside, OP would you care to share how you were able to snag 2 pretty good gigs like these at this stage of the game? Particularly with (no offense) only okay credentials?
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lolwat
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
I didn't neglect to consider that when I suggested midlaw, but it seemed like a closer choice to me than some of the other posters suggested though. The problem is with a staff attorney job I would always wonder whether I'm getting as much responsibility/good work as I could be, and if the firm happens to "have to" lay off anyone, whether I'd be the first to go over full associates. I'd also have to understand that I'll never really get anywhere and probably have a lot less exit options down the road. Just not worth it.
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bbmic45
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
Take off them rose-colored glasses. Midlaw spot.
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Anonymous User
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Re: What would you take? Midlaw vs. Staff Atty.
OP again. To be fair, I don't actually have one of the offers yet. But based on the interview and the tells I got, I'm fairly confident, though I realize it can be a crapshoot. So this problem might be moot.
As for how I got here, differentiation, some development of actually applicable skills, focus on jobs in which I have an actual interest, a LOT of WORK on interviewing to build up narrative, confidence, spinning, presentation, etc. Also a ton of networking, some connections that hit, and a fair amount of proximate luck. Sort of abstract, I know, but don't want to outself.
As for how I got here, differentiation, some development of actually applicable skills, focus on jobs in which I have an actual interest, a LOT of WORK on interviewing to build up narrative, confidence, spinning, presentation, etc. Also a ton of networking, some connections that hit, and a fair amount of proximate luck. Sort of abstract, I know, but don't want to outself.
