More $ with more specific Practice or less $ with choice Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey all, thanks in advance for advice.

I've been fortunate enough to secure two offers in my Secondary hometown, and I'm having a very hard time choosing.

The first is for a firm that is very well-regarded in the city (and region as a whole), and allows summers to, as common, select any work they want to do, and presumably choose their practice area. The firm pays about 20K less than the other, albeit still a great salary (110-120)

The second is for a satellite office of a firm that is based in another city in the state, however I would be constrained to a specific type of litigation. It sounded like they are only interested in hiring for this group, and the practice area is mainly what the office does.

I'm interested in litigation, however I'm not SURE I want to do litigation. I'm kind of leaning towards the first firm, however my mind is in no way made up. Do people think that it's a bad idea to limit myself to a specific practice area this early on? Should I be asking any more questions from the firm? I will say I liked both firms, and the people at both were great.

I won't say that money is no object, but I think there's enough of a difference to ponder. Thanks a lot.

[Anonymous User]

Pretty personal question man.

IMHO, as someone that doesn't have wealthy parents backing me, I would take the $20k in a heartbeat. Especially in a secondary market, that is a shit ton to pump into loans/retirement/cocaine

If you're one the typical t14 kids who's salary is pitiful compared to family assets, meh, follow your heart?

(fwiw, I'm going to a firm doing the 1 and only practice area I have ever known)

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I'm definitely not getting any more money from the parents any time soon, so the money plays more of a factor. It's definitely a personal decision, and it's hard to ask for help, but when there's nowhere else to turn...go to TLS!

[TooOld4This]

The choice the lower paying firm is offering is likely illusory. You'll rotate through the summer and have not much more idea what you want to do at the end of it than you do now. You'll pick based on little information or get dumped in the practice group that needs a warm body when you start as an associate. And then you will probably be stuck. Trying to carve your own path in a firm is hard. You have to navigate the politics, run into work flow issues, and often double up on assignments to move around. Most associates end up following the path if least resistance. To make major changes it can sometimes be easier to lateral than pull off an in office move without burning bridges. And most find that the two things that make the job most enjoyable are the people you work with and starting to gather an expertise (and some competence).

If you are actually interested in what the higher paying firm does, I wouldn't give up the money just because you think you're buying future options.

Which firm has the higher offer rate? Getting a job at the end of the summer should be the top priority.