Career Trajectory Question Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a May 2013 grad who recently started working as an associate at a very small firm (3 partners, 1 other associate). The firm pays decently well for being so small and is well-connected in the market I'm in. The market itself is a major market but not easy to break into (especially because I went to a T2 regional school), which is one of the reasons I took the job in the first place. The firm practices solely in professional liability defense - mostly legal mal stuff. I know this is likely a crystal ball question but I'm somewhat concerned about my long-term career trajectory. There's a lot of talk about how the size of the firm you start off in affects the size of the firm you can lateral to. I'm not really shooting for big law, but I don't consider my current job to be a career position and I want to transition to a larger firm eventually. I do know that the associate prior to me ended up at a mid sized firm in a different market (500+ attorneys) after working at my firm for about 4 years. I do think that the work is interesting (although I haven't been there long) and it's always different. My question is, should I be concerned about long term career prospects by starting off at a firm like this? Should I be actively searching for other jobs still/how long should I stay at a firm like this? Thanks for any advice.

[BobsYourMan30]

I'm a May 2013 grad who recently started working as an associate at a very small firm (3 partners, 1 other associate). The firm pays decently well for being so small and is well-connected in the market I'm in. The market itself is a major market but not easy to break into (especially because I went to a T2 regional school), which is one of the reasons I took the job in the first place. The firm practices solely in professional liability defense - mostly legal mal stuff. I know this is likely a crystal ball question but I'm somewhat concerned about my long-term career trajectory. There's a lot of talk about how the size of the firm you start off in affects the size of the firm you can lateral to. I'm not really shooting for big law, but I don't consider my current job to be a career position and I want to transition to a larger firm eventually. I do know that the associate prior to me ended up at a mid sized firm in a different market (500+ attorneys) after working at my firm for about 4 years. I do think that the work is interesting (although I haven't been there long) and it's always different. My question is, should I be concerned about long term career prospects by starting off at a firm like this? Should I be actively searching for other jobs still/how long should I stay at a firm like this? Thanks for any advice.

How are your grades?

[Anonymous User]

Top 25%, law review/moot court/trial ad

[BobsYourMan30]

Top 25%, law review/moot court/trial ad

PM me and i'll help.

[TooOld4This]

Top 25%, law review/moot court/trial ad

PM me and i'll help.

OP, as with all requests to out yourself and PM someone, be sure to first look at the person's post history to determine the level of detail you are willing to share.

[OutCold]

Top 25%, law review/moot court/trial ad

PM me and i'll help.

OP, as with all requests to out yourself and PM someone, be sure to first look at the person's post history to determine the level of detail you are willing to share.

But especially this one.

[IAFG]

What are you going to do with this info, quit your job? Just try to get good lit experience and in a couple years keep your ears open for interesting opportunities in your region.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Not going to quit my job but I'm interested in trying to develop a basic 1-5 year plan of how to put myself in the best career position possible and what type of firms might be most beneficial to target.

[guano]

OP here. Not going to quit my job but I'm interested in trying to develop a basic 1-5 year plan of how to put myself in the best career position possible and what type of firms might be most beneficial to target.

market yourself.
Write and publish articles, speak at conventions, whatever gets your name out there
Also do good work and try to build a book of business

[Dr. Mantis Toboggan]

I'm not really shooting for big law, but I don't consider my current job to be a career position and I want to transition to a larger firm eventually.

Why not?

BTW, a 500+ attorney firm is not a "mid sized" firm.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. You're right 500+ isn't midsized but it's not biglaw (doesn't pay market) so I don't know what to call it - large firm?

I don't consider it a career firm because there's no long term potential for me there. While I can continue to learn for a few years, it's not like I'm on track to try to become partner at a firm so small. And if the partners eventually decide to retire or close the firm, then I'll be out in the cold.