What exactly is this position? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Litigation Attorney:
The Los Angeles office of XXXXXXX is seeking a highly motivated attorney to join our global Litigation practice in a non-partnership track role. Primary consideration will be given to law school graduates or those completing judicial clerkships in calendar year 2012 and 2013. The position offers the right candidate the opportunity to assume significant responsibility in complex matters. The candidate must possess a J.D. and be licensed to practice in the State of California. Excellent credentials as well as strong research, writing and verbal communications skills are required. Some stand-up experience in court is strongly preferred.
We offer competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, life, 401(k) and many other excellent benefits.


My question is, what exactly is this "non-partnership track?" The internet is really not telling me much. Is this an actual associate position that simply doesn't have a partnership opportunity down the road, or is this just a doc-review job with lipstick?

[arklaw13]

Sounds like a staff attorney position.

[Anonymous User]

Sounds like a staff attorney position.

That's kinda what I thought. I applied for it and received an email thanking me for applying to the "Associate Position," so I got a tad confused as to what the hell i had just applied for.

[Anonymous User]

Sounds like a staff attorney position.

That's kinda what I thought. I applied for it and received an email thanking me for applying to the "Associate Position," so I got a tad confused as to what the hell i had just applied for.

It does seem odd. The description is different from what I've read a staff attorney does.

[84651846190]

I know of at least one large boutique that is straight up bait-and-switching people: they advertise jobs as "associate" positions but then have their recruiting coordinator call you up and say something like, "it's actually a staff attorney position that pays [half of what regular associates make]." Despicable behavior.

[NotMyRealName09]

Yeah it sounds like what I've heard refered to as an "of counsel" position - you're part of the firm, can work with whomever, work on your own files if you have them, but you are not going to be able to advance and your salary will probably be less than a true "associate" who can advance up the ladder. Your billing rate will be lower, so you may not get the best cases to work on - but a job is a job. But just know, when shit hits the fan, you are first to get the boot.