Leaving Big Law: Need Advice But Also Can Give Advice to Those in Similar Situations or to 0L-3Ls Forum

[kindachubby]

I'm a 2014 grad from a TTT but finished off my first year of employment at a V10 in one of their transactional practices in NYC. My experience was probably typical of most Big Law 1st years (e.g., long hours, routinely worked with assholes, worked on large deals). I've decided to leave the firm for a few key reasons:

(1) Want more time to spend with family and friends. I just had my first kid and my perspective has shifted even moreso towards spending time with family.
- I know, I know. It's like why did I even choose this? Honestly, I didn't think I'd get a Big Law gig but I had to take it because what crazy person from a TTT would deny a $160K job and the huge prestige bump on their resume even at the expense of crazy long hours?

(2) Want to start anew at a different firm...
- I'm pretty sure my reputation is shot to shit here and while I could try really hard to rectify this situation I just don't think it's worth the effort. The group is okay sized (~25 associates, ~10 partners) but small enough where if you fuck up for one person then you might as well have fucked up for everyone else. I would say hatred/disrespect accurately defines my relationship with the two main seniors I work regularly with. Our group has a strong reputation for being the one practice group you want to avoid as a summer associate. Everyone knows, summers and regulars alike, that our group has horrible social dynamics and is not friendly at all. It's toxic. People dread getting an offer from our group which is why all of our first years were 3L hires.
- My mid-year review was also bad. It wasn't the worst but the two main criticisms were "need to focus on detail" and "you used to volunteer for a lot of stuff but now you don't."

(3)...hopefully in a different practice.
- I'm in the securities practice now which is fine but I'd rather do something in tech and if I can't do that (hard to get in NYC) then I'd settle for a general corporate/M&A practice group.

Anyway, I've been reading through a bunch of TLS threads in an effort to gather info/advice but I thought I'd just start a thread and hope that it stirs up some conversation that would not only benefit my situation but others as well.

I'm currently working with a recruiter to get interviews.

[zot1]

No government love?

[Tls2016]

General corporate M&A is not compatible with your first goal in any way. I'm not sure what advice you really want here.

You arent going to get the quality of life improvement in terms of hours etc. going somewhere else. You might find people you hate less but I'm not sure how you know that before you start.

Do you have ties to another place you could leave New York for? Maybe go back home and have family close by with the new baby?

[jleon25]

Any chance you could tell me what your work schedule was like. I'm a 0L and considering big law.

Thanks!!

[bk1]

Any chance you could tell me what your work schedule was like. I'm a 0L and considering big law.

Thanks!!

Reminder that this is not the forum for 0Ls. The ask a student/grad forum is here: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4

[Anonymous User]

When in 3L were you hired? How long after interview?

[Anonymous User]

General M&A has terrible schedule (worse than securities IMO). I'm in a similar situation (2014 grad doing corporate work and hate it). Maybe stick it out for another year and try to go in house.

[Anonymous User]

Current midlevel here....it only gets worse. Get out while you can. I don't think most other firms are any better. Try public interest (some have good QOL, especially unionized ones), government, etc.

Or maybe just leave law entirely (which is what I've contemplated all the time).

[Anonymous User]

Current midlevel here....it only gets worse. Get out while you can. I don't think most other firms are any better. Try public interest (some have good QOL, especially unionized ones), government, etc.

Or maybe just leave law entirely (which is what I've contemplated all the time).

While these are all nice options I think when one has to consider repaying 6-figure debt and taking care of a kid, it's hard to just leave a nicely paying job for one that isn't. I'm just trying to find a lesser evil for the time being that'll make me pull my hair out less. I'm trying to be optimisticallly realistic.

[WhiteCollarBlueShirt]

Also a 2014 grad, I lateraled during my first year from a big law "lifestyle practice" to a similar practice at a regional mid law firm.

OP, I'd start looking for in-house and mid law positions outside of the major markets asap (or at least in-house if you're tied to NYC and other major markets). Unfortunately, the TTT may make it tough, but sooner or later the V10 will outweigh that blemish. Talk to recruiters that call, but don't let them run wild with your resume.

Lurkers, no one should strive for NYC transactional big law--if you're set on killing yourselves, and have the credentials, then give banking/consulting try. There is no reason to forego three years of earning potential (let alone pay money to a law school) just to come out making 1/2 as much as your business counterparts. I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME THIS 4-5 YEARS AGO.

While I have a great job now (literally almost no complaints: great life, good hours, control my own calendar, good pay, etc.), I was incredibly lucky to stumble into this position. Notwithstanding all that earlier negativity said, for late bloomer or those who tried and found nothing else, NYC transactional big law is actually a great backup plan (sadly) to clean your resume and make a solid six figure income.

[Anonymous User]

Current midlevel here....it only gets worse. Get out while you can. I don't think most other firms are any better. Try public interest (some have good QOL, especially unionized ones), government, etc.

Or maybe just leave law entirely (which is what I've contemplated all the time).

While these are all nice options I think when one has to consider repaying 6-figure debt and taking care of a kid, it's hard to just leave a nicely paying job for one that isn't. I'm just trying to find a lesser evil for the time being that'll make me pull my hair out less. I'm trying to be optimisticallly realistic.

That's tough. I'd say non-biglaw firms in smaller markets would probably have better QOL on average. You may have to take a paycut, but COL in smaller markets is also cheaper. And like the guy above, start applying to in-house (although honestly junior level positions are super rare).

Otherwise, maybe you just have to suck it up for a couple of years, until you save up enough money/pay off loans.

[kindachubby]

Also a 2014 grad, I lateraled during my first year from a big law "lifestyle practice" to a similar practice at a regional mid law firm.

OP, I'd start looking for in-house and mid law positions outside of the major markets asap (or at least in-house if you're tied to NYC and other major markets). Unfortunately, the TTT may make it tough, but sooner or later the V10 will outweigh that blemish. Talk to recruiters that call, but don't let them run wild with your resume.

Lurkers, no one should strive for NYC transactional big law--if you're set on killing yourselves, and have the credentials, then give banking/consulting try. There is no reason to forego three years of earning potential (let alone pay money to a law school) just to come out making 1/2 as much as your business counterparts. I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME THIS 4-5 YEARS AGO.

While I have a great job now (literally almost no complaints: great life, good hours, control my own calendar, good pay, etc.), I was incredibly lucky to stumble into this position. Notwithstanding all that earlier negativity said, for late bloomer or those who tried and found nothing else, NYC transactional big law is actually a great backup plan (sadly) to clean your resume and make a solid six figure income.

Great stuff. Good advice. So far, it seems that the TTT hasn't really outweighed the V10. I just got an offer from a similar practice at a V25 NYC but I'm def not taking it b/c I know the lifestyle will likely be worse (based on interviews and from inside source). I do have a 2nd round with a regional mid tomorrow though and it seems like it could be a good fit.

I'm only talking with one recruiter now and I sought him out after he helped one of my good work buddies. So far he's been great and has been instrumental during this process. Would love to hear more about your career situation. I'll PM you.

[Anonymous User]

I am getting pushed out for performance reasons and probably because a couple partners don't seem to like my personality. What can one do in that situation as a junior? Seems like it would be hard to get law firm jobs and what else is there?