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For a first year, what is a better choice? A litigation boutique (not widely known by younger associates, but senior associates I speak to all know the name and speak highly) or a firm like Quinn/Sull Crom?

Depends on your long-term goals, location, whether the boutique is above-market... you're basically asking how long is a piece of string here.

OP here, boutique pays market + a slightly larger bonus than market

If you truly don't have any preferences about your career in either the short or long-term, might as well go with the higher all-in comp. I'd think about this a bit harder, though. We can't tell you what to want.

I concur with the idea of picking larger comp. But separately, one downside with boutiques that I personally took for granted is the relative lack of support staff. I'm unsure if this feeling is amplified or lessened for junior attorneys.