Litigator Career Paths
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 11:58 pm
I currently work at a V100 firm in New York doing general commercial litigation. Our group is known for soft IP / advertising, but also does a lot of breach of contract, government, and securities type litigation. Very much a generalist shop, and for that reason all our people are generalists.
I'm wondering what I can expect in my future as a litigator. My group is good with letting people get senior / become counsel, but absolutely awful making partners (essentially, if you don't have business, you don't make partner). I'd love to hear from other people who have become senior associates / counsel in similar situations. What happens when you make it to counsel but can't make partner? Is lateraling to smaller firms common? Government? In-house? Are you just screwed?
I'm wondering what I can expect in my future as a litigator. My group is good with letting people get senior / become counsel, but absolutely awful making partners (essentially, if you don't have business, you don't make partner). I'd love to hear from other people who have become senior associates / counsel in similar situations. What happens when you make it to counsel but can't make partner? Is lateraling to smaller firms common? Government? In-house? Are you just screwed?