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Midlevel lit associate in a major market on the west coast. I don't HATE the job like some people do, but I don't know if this lifestyle is sustainable. A lot of corporate people go in house, but those opportunities are few and far between for litigators, and besides, I think working for the same company doing the same stuff (or managing outside litigation) would be terribly boring. Government isn't my cup of tea. And small firms seem like the same amount or work (or more) but for significantly less money.

With all that said, where have you big firm litigators gone? Are there any small firms that are actually cool? If so, how did you identify them during your search?

You pretty much listed all of them - midlaw, small law, government, and in-house - and shot them all down. The only other option is hanging your own shingle. There are also absolutely cool small firms. Most of them that are likely going to pay you much much less than biglaw (think sub $100k) for you to live that sweet 1,700 billable hours life.

RedPurpleBlue wrote:You pretty much listed all of them - midlaw, small law, government, and in-house - and shot them all down. The only other option is hanging your own shingle

There is also non-profit/public interest.

Save a bunch then ausa or interesting state attorney general’s office position. That is the credited response.

I think people underrate the availability of pretty good jobs at mid-size and small law firms. I do mid-law/ID work. I bill 2000+ hours but the work is consistent so I just bill 8 hours a day each weekday while usually not working nights or weekends. And there are essentially no "fire drills" where you get a 6:00 p.m. email and have to work the whole night. Pay is 100-160 in a non-major market city. If you like litigation, there is also not a bad chance of you making partner at one of these firms with your background.

tyroneslothrop1 wrote:I think people underrate the availability of pretty good jobs at mid-size and small law firms. I do mid-law/ID work. I bill 2000+ hours but the work is consistent so I just bill 8 hours a day each weekday while usually not working nights or weekends. And there are essentially no "fire drills" where you get a 6:00 p.m. email and have to work the whole night. Pay is 100-160 in a non-major market city. If you like litigation, there is also not a bad chance of you making partner at one of these firms with your background.

How does one find these jobs/get into them with no insurance defense experience?

tyroneslothrop1 wrote:I think people underrate the availability of pretty good jobs at mid-size and small law firms. I do mid-law/ID work. I bill 2000+ hours but the work is consistent so I just bill 8 hours a day each weekday while usually not working nights or weekends. And there are essentially no "fire drills" where you get a 6:00 p.m. email and have to work the whole night. Pay is 100-160 in a non-major market city. If you like litigation, there is also not a bad chance of you making partner at one of these firms with your background.

I also work in mid-law/ID and make >$100,000. Bill 1900-2000 and never really have to work nights and weekends, although sometimes I choose to.