Accept SA at Big Firm or Smaller Firm? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Then, it's not a tough choice. 130k is pretty good for a job you will like and in the city you want to practice.

OP here. I should probably contact someone in the firm and ask about what the average bonuses are...

OP are you lit or trans. If lit I'd go with the smaller firm. If trans I'd go with the larger one.

Lit. Small does only lit. Large does lit/trans

[Lacepiece23]

Then, it's not a tough choice. 130k is pretty good for a job you will like and in the city you want to practice.

OP here. I should probably contact someone in the firm and ask about what the average bonuses are...

OP are you lit or trans. If lit I'd go with the smaller firm. If trans I'd go with the larger one.

Lit. Small does only lit. Large does lit/trans

Yeah I don't think it matters as much for Lit. I've only been practicing for a year, but I've already seen people join my firm (secondary market biglaw) from really small firms that wouldn't be considered mid law. I just think if you get experience and already have big firm credentials, you can trade up in a few years when people are starting to leave biglaw. You would also likely avoid the bs doc review years at a huge firm and would probably build real skills during your first few years of practice.

You would also have the option of going somewhere even smaller if you have real litigation skills. The exit options for lit, from what I've seen, is usually more litigation at a different firm. I'm not sure that it matters as much where you start. But I could be wrong and would welcome contrary opinions.