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I'm a 3L at a T14 school and I just received my dream job offer in a non-legal field. The problem is, I already accepted an offer to return to the firm that I SA'd at last summer. I legitimately enjoyed my summer, and in any other circumstance, I'd be stoked to come back. However, this new job is better in almost every measurable way (hours, pay) and seems like it would be more interesting that just being a corporate associate. I don't have a good feel for the people though, while I loved everyone I worked with at my law firm.

Considering it is so late in the process, what are ya'lls thoughts on reneging on the biglaw offer? I feel bad having led them on for so long, and it's not like I'd hate working there. On the other hand, I can scarcely believe I got the non-legal job, and it appears better in every way except for the people and it's a smaller name. What would be the consequences for reneging on the firm job?

If I do choose to reneg, what is the proper process to do so? Phone call? Email? How upfront should I be with them about the reason? Thanks for any help.

I think you're approaching this through the wrong lens. Yes, in some sense you would be reneging if you took this job. But if the job is a cool one which involves many business aspects that are highly valued by a corporate law firm, you might be able to ask if you could do a year at the new place and come back to be a first year at the law firm. Yes, if you decide to come back to the law firm it wouldn't be ideal and might not be the right first step, but it at least keeps the option open and keeps the relationship on good terms.

And I'm not really making this shit up either. I have friends who had accepted offers at their firms to start when they graduated, but who later received offers at venture capital funds, investment banks, startups, etc. and wanted to work there instead. I think all of them were able to negotiate a "year" doing work at those places and to return when their time was up, but none of them ever really returned (or regretted not returning).

If you ultimately have to renege, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Incoming first year associates tend to overrate the importance they have to any big law firm. Unless your summer class was super small or something, I'm sure the firm will have no trouble finding a replacement or adjusting with your absence. That said, all bets are off on how the firm will react.

Out of curiosity, what field in the new job in? Is it in private equity?

I'm just wondering what jobs are better in hours and pay than a job in biglaw. I know an IB associate will make more than an associate in big law, but the hours are usually much worse.

Bruh it sounds like you have the kind of job offer which a lot of BIGLAW associates would kill to get

Imagine going to work at your firm and killing yourself for four years and then desperately trying to get that BIG IN-HOUSE job that every other midlevel is sending in resumes for

Go for it

It's probably a good idea to check if career services has any stated policy about it as well.

cruxisfalcon wrote:It's probably a good idea to check if career services has any stated policy about it as well.

Their stated policy will almost assuredly be: "don't." But what are they going to do? All bark, no bite. Your CSO's opinion should hold little weight here.

Dream job, better pay & better hours versus a four year stint in biglaw. Tough choice.

I did this. Reneged on firm for a MBB/BB type job. It was no big deal, quite a few people even reached out to congratulate me.

Take the non-legal job. It is your career and your life. Regardless of having signed the biglaw offer sheet you are not bound to anything. Employment at will. Absolutely no repercussions other than you might not be able to work for that biglaw firm again.

Reach out to a partner you connected with for lunch or coffee and just talk to him/her about it like an adult.

law students can be so fucking weird. politely and regretfully reneg, take your dream job and move on with your life. jesus fucking christ.

Can you please PM me with more specifics about this dream job? Highly considering non-legal jobs over biglaw

iplulzer wrote:law students can be so fucking weird. politely and regretfully reneg, take your dream job and move on with your life. jesus fucking christ.

Agree 100%. Also, lets assume you took the bigfirm job out of a warped feeling of obligation. They could always unoffer you the job (it happens) or just lay you off after a year. Don't hold loyalty to something that won't be loyal to you.

911 crisis actor wrote:Bruh it sounds like you have the kind of job offer which a lot of BIGLAW associates would kill to get

Imagine going to work at your firm and killing yourself for four years and then desperately trying to get that BIG IN-HOUSE job that every other midlevel is sending in resumes for

Maybe. This is not an in-house counsel job though (see "dream job offer in a non-legal field" above). Not sure most biglaw associates are looking to go non-legal.

I will say the one downside to taking this job at this time is that OP will likely not have an opportunity to work in law again if they start their post-law school career in a non-legal field. Not saying that should be dispositive for the OP, as only they can say whether ceding the possibility of working in law (or at least constructing a high barrier to it) is at all important to them.

Seriously, the firm could not care less about you at this point. They can find 10 people to replace you. Do what's best for you. If it truly is your dream job, call the firm ASAP and let them know so they can start looking for a replacement (if they need to do so). You will not burn any bridges, assuming this is a biglaw firm, and they will be happy to see you leave now instead of not having your head in the game, so to speak.

BVest wrote:

911 crisis actor wrote:Bruh it sounds like you have the kind of job offer which a lot of BIGLAW associates would kill to get

Imagine going to work at your firm and killing yourself for four years and then desperately trying to get that BIG IN-HOUSE job that every other midlevel is sending in resumes for

Maybe. This is not an in-house counsel job though (see "dream job offer in a non-legal field" above). Not sure most biglaw associates are looking to go non-legal.

I will say the one downside to taking this job at this time is that OP will likely not have an opportunity to work in law again if they start their post-law school career in a non-legal field. Not saying that should be dispositive for the OP, as only they can say whether ceding the possibility of working in law (or at least constructing a high barrier to it) is at all important to them.

He will never know the pleasure of running a blackline or doing a circle-up - that's gotta be an awful feeling, as he leaves the office by 6 every day and wonders what to do with his $160k+ salary.

I've been burned twice by the whole "loyalty" thing in law school twice. Look out for yourself and no one else. Trust me when I say that both of these employers are looking out for themselves and will cut you out in a second if they feel the need to. Take the non-legal job if you feel like it has job security in it.

^^^Fortunate enough to not have been burned by any employers but I can't stress that enough (I know people who have at my school).

These are businesses, period.

Do what makes sense for your life because they certainly won't.

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I'm curious about what sort of employment this is, too. Please PM if you're willing!

t-14orbust wrote:Can you please PM me with more specifics about this dream job? Highly considering non-legal jobs over biglaw

I'm also very interested in which field you're entering. Would love to learn more if you don't mind. Please PM me. Cheers.

And as for advice: everyone here is right. Simply politely notify them that you have decided to pursue other avenues of employment. Do it soon to give them time. Having worked in business for many years, I'll tell you there is no such thing as loyalty. People get cut all the time if business needs dictate it. Likewise, employees turnover for better opportunities. As long as you're professional and provide adequate notice, you'll be fine.

OP here. Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. As far as notifying the firm goes, should I just send an email or make a quick phone call? I've heard from friends in finance that you shouldn't leave a "paper trail" although I think it's a lot more serious in finance to reneg than it is in law.

I'll be going to a mid market private equity firm. I don't feel comfortable giving out too many details, but they're very non traditional with the way they invest and do some very interesting things in their space. I worked with them a lot in my previous job prior to law school and kept in touch with some of the people there. Base salary is a lot lower than in law, but with guided bonus, it works out to be slightly higher than in law and I have opportunities to co invest. Hours are 50ish per week, with a couple of 80-100 hours weeks a year when we're close to closing a deal.