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Hi, I'm an associate at a V10 considering a move. I've generally had good experience at my firm, great work life balance and awesome mentors. But I'm in a specialty group with no exit options I'd be interested in. There's a handful of firms in the V50 - V100 range that I'm talking to now that are willing to hire me and let me retool to a more general corporate practice for a class year reduction. I don't mind the pay cut, but am I making a mistake in leaving a place where I'm doing well just for better exit options later down the line?

No. If you don’t intend on being a biglaw lifer, then considering your exit options is wise. Your future will be greatly impacted.

Agree with the above. However, if you’re at a v10, I would assume you’d get some bites at other v10 firms.V50-100 would limit exit options a bit compared to a v10.

If you’re in talks with firms, you should consider taking a hit of 2 years at a v10 vs a 1 year hot at a v50-100. The guaranteed bonus would more than make up for the difference in pay.

2013 wrote:Agree with the above. However, if you’re at a v10, I would assume you’d get some bites at other v10 firms.V50-100 would limit exit options a bit compared to a v10.

If you’re in talks with firms, you should consider taking a hit of 2 years at a v10 vs a 1 year hot at a v50-100. The guaranteed bonus would more than make up for the difference in pay.

OP here. Thanks to both of you for your thoughts. I'm not in NYC, and while my V10 generally has a good reputation here, I don't think that the other V10s here have a substantially better reputation than the V50's in the market. Not sure if that's shortsighted though.