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Hey all. Please let me know if you think I should split next summer.

Firm #1: I will be returning to the firm I worked at during 1L for at least a few weeks, and a part of me wants to work there the entire summer because I loved it so much.

Pros:
I absolutely LOVED the people there
The work was interesting/substantive, and within a particular practice area that I enjoy
The office is in my top city
Seemingly good work-life balance
The firm is well-respected and has a wide reach
Honestly this firm has almost everything I want.

Cons:
The pay is a little lower
The office size is smaller
I worry that working in this niche practice area may limit future in-house opportunities
A 2L was no-offered this year (but my former boss assures me that would not happen to me)

Firm #2: I recently interviewed with another firm that I liked.

Pros:
This firm is also in my top city
It pays a little more
The people seem nice
I objectively recognize the benefit of potentially having two job offers
This new opportunity would allow me to gain perspective

Cons:
I would have to work in a more generalized litigation group (as opposed to the above firm, where I can work in a specific practice area I like)
It seems like I would need to work a 10-week summer here, which would leave me only two-ish weeks with the above firm.
Less of a national reach than the above firm

I appreciate your insight!

In-house options aren’t plentiful for litigation, so that shouldn’t be your driving force.

What’s the pay difference? If it’s not substantial, and you liked your firm, may not be worth doing another firm

OP here. Pay difference is about a $500 difference per week, $10,000 - $15,000 difference for first-year associates. I have little debt from law school. Do you think this counsels in favor of my 1L firm?

Hands down the 1L firm. You can go into a specific litigation team then branch out into general lit in the future (people do it all the time). Not as easy to do the opposite.

Also, you liked the firm and it has more national reach. So, if you decide to go into general lit in a different city, for example, you will be better off.

15,000 is not an insigifniciant amount, but it’s not a life-changing amount either, especially if it’s pre-tax. I don’t think it should be the deciding factor.