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Hey all, would appreciate some advice.

My spouse is currently working near a smaller legal market and I have an offer at a regional firm with a great reputation in that market. Pay is 100-110k (raises and bonuses are definitely compressed). 300-500 attorneys over around 5 offices. 1900 billables expected and that seems to be about what most people do. Partnership is the expected path of associates. Firm culture is fairly relaxed/respectful of the fact that most people have families.

I also have two offers at DC firms. If I choose DC, spouse and I would be long distance (though their job permits them to work remotely about 40-50% of the time so they could be in DC a good amount) until spouse gets a job in/near DC -- or, alternatively, if that seems unlikely, I try to get back into the smaller market where spouse is.

debt load will be about 200k when I graduate (relevant because salary difference between DC and regional firm).

Hard to turn down the bigger paycheck -- even with COL difference and factoring in travel/two rents, DC is still more $$$. Also not easy to get avoid considering the difference in "prestige" and whether that will have any impact on future career decisions. Spouse is not sure they want to stay in the small city for whole career and might want to go elsewhere in 3ish years.

I realize this is highly particular, but any insight would be appreciated.

I voted DC. If you were committed to your small market, then working the finances for the lower paying job may be the best option. If your relationship can handle the long distance, then (assuming you are getting a market paying DC job) you are probably in a better spot. Smaller markets do tend to have very compressed salary structures and they can be hard to trade out of without something else on your resume. You don't get to put "turned down XYZ DC firm" when you are applying to your next job. If you think you will need to that name recognition for your next move, then I would try to make it work.

What practice area? What are your goals? Do you want to make partner in a firm eventually, or are you looking to exit into something else?

Biglaw_Associate_V20 wrote:What practice area? What are your goals? Do you want to make partner in a firm eventually, or are you looking to exit into something else?

Corporate -- which is not DC's strength, but the two DC firms have respectable corp practices (are in chambers band 1, if that's a fair gauge). Regional firm is chambers band 1 for corp too (is that as relevant in a small city?). I think I'd want to make partner at the smaller firm. Not sure I'm willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make partner at a major DC firm -- also recognize that the vast majority of associates at the two DC firms don't grind it out up to partnership and that probability suggests I fall in that category.

Anonymous User wrote:

Biglaw_Associate_V20 wrote:What practice area? What are your goals? Do you want to make partner in a firm eventually, or are you looking to exit into something else?

Corporate -- which is not DC's strength, but the two DC firms have respectable corp practices (are in chambers band 1, if that's a fair gauge). Regional firm is chambers band 1 for corp too (is that as relevant in a small city?). I think I'd want to make partner at the smaller firm. Not sure I'm willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make partner at a major DC firm -- also recognize that the vast majority of associates at the two DC firms don't grind it out up to partnership and that probability suggests I fall in that category.

Since you're in corporate, I think the DC options make sense. Long-distance relationships are a strain, however, and you sometimes only get one shot at making things work with an awesome spouse. The marginal happiness (if any) you derive from better exit options and more money may not be worth fucking up a relationship (depending on how much debt you have and a million other factors I know nothing about). If you had said litigation, I would have said the regional firm for sure.

I'd take dc If your spouse would move, if not you have to take mid law. Long distance is sucky enough for a girl/boyfriend. Long distance with a spouse is absurd and I feel like the money would have to be absurd to even consider it

i don't know what the cost of living is like in your secondary, but it's a distinct possibility that DC could more than consume your extra pay vice the secondary market city. also, consider the cost savings of living with your wife in the secondary market or having to maintain two residences apart.