Post-Biglaw Regrets? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I know this has been addressed before, but I’m curious for current takes/additional input.

Are those of you who left biglaw happy with your decision, or are there some lingering regrets? I’m specifically interested in people who left for gov. work, but others can chime in too.

I’m a junior (approaching midlevel) associate. I apparently do good work because I’m constantly getting more assignments - needless to say, the hours/burn out are real. I toy with the idea of lateraling to state gov work in a couple years, but there’s that whole money thing.

Anyways, thanks for any input you all have!

[nealric]

Left biglaw for Inhouse as a 3rd year. No regrets. I got my life back, and have gotten to work on at least as many interesting projects. There's just less filler, makework, and made up deadlines.

One place where your decision is harder is the money front. I didn't have to make a financial sacrifice to leave biglaw.

My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you really want to be wherever you are leaving for, and you aren't just trying to escape where you are to something different.

[Anonymous User]

I left for a sort of unusual litigation-heavy in-house position, but the pay-cut was pretty drastic (50% ish) so I think I can chime in. V10 alum (not bragging, just to give a culture idea).

Like everything on this cursed website, it depends. For me, the hours were’t the worse thing in BigLaw (but I hated them), it was more the constant being micromanaged, and frankly being treated more like an intern doing all sorts of bullshit bitch work on a weekend for a “thx”. There was also the frankly ridiculous ramp up at my firm where you’d be lucky to take a (non pro bono) dep before your 5th year. Honestly I didn’t really feel like a lawyer, just a pencil pusher.

So I feel like the move accomplished my primary objective, which was higher day to day professional satisfaction. Like most state gov jobs, at my in house job I have a lot of autonomy and I’m trusted to run almost all of my matters. People respect my judgment and opinion as a professional rather than seeing me as some late-night binder assembling goblin.

No strong regrets. There’s always the thought that I could have stayed another year and saved another $x grand. I very well might never make that amount of money ever again.

I think you can trust that you know yourself and what you want after your time in Big Law. Most people fucking hate it and leave, and are happy they left. You can come back later if you need to, or mid law, or whatever. But there’s no secret here, imo, especially if you’re eyeing government (which I think is an underrated path on here).

[Anonymous User]

One place where your decision is harder is the money front. I didn't have to make a financial sacrifice to leave biglaw.

That's amazing, congrats. If you feel comfortable, would you mind sharing a bit more about your practice area? I always thought paycuts moving inhouse were inevitable. Would you say you got a unicorn role in that sense?

[Anonymous User]

My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you really want to be wherever you are leaving for, and you aren't just trying to escape where you are to something different.

OP here. Yeah, this is interesting and certainly resonates with me. Often, when I’ve been working like crazy and haven’t gotten to spend time with the wife, friends, etc., I think about how any job would be better. But obviously that’s not true, especially when I like everything about Biglaw besides its total domination over the rest of my life. Thanks for this insight.

[Anonymous User]

One place where your decision is harder is the money front. I didn't have to make a financial sacrifice to leave biglaw.

That's amazing, congrats. If you feel comfortable, would you mind sharing a bit more about your practice area? I always thought paycuts moving inhouse were inevitable. Would you say you got a unicorn role in that sense?

I’m in tax. It was a pay cut on base, but offset by benefits and higher bonus. To be fair, I’m way below what I’d theoretically be if I were still in biglaw now, as I’d be counsel or partner by now. But I’m still at biglaw mid level pay for a lot fewer hours.

I don’t think I have a unicorn job, but it’s perhaps better than most.

[Anonymous User]

I know this has been addressed before, but I’m curious for current takes/additional input.

Are those of you who left biglaw happy with your decision, or are there some lingering regrets? I’m specifically interested in people who left for gov. work, but others can chime in too.

I’m a junior (approaching midlevel) associate. I apparently do good work because I’m constantly getting more assignments - needless to say, the hours/burn out are real. I toy with the idea of lateraling to state gov work in a couple years, but there’s that whole money thing.

Anyways, thanks for any input you all have!

Super happy with my decision to leave after two years in biglaw litigation. I'll never go back unless it's as a partner. I have way more responsibility now than I ever did (or would for the next 8 or more years) in a biglaw firm, so it's been a gamechanger for my career too. The one thing I miss is the quality of support and resources. I think anyone in government can relate. But you just work with what you have and adapt.

I make about 1/2 of what I made before, and for the career benefits it's absolutely worth it. If money is important to you, it'll be hard though. But money is just a way to feed/clothe myself to me, so it's meaningless beyond the minimum.

[Anonymous User]

I know this has been addressed before, but I’m curious for current takes/additional input.

Are those of you who left biglaw happy with your decision, or are there some lingering regrets? I’m specifically interested in people who left for gov. work, but others can chime in too.

I’m a junior (approaching midlevel) associate. I apparently do good work because I’m constantly getting more assignments - needless to say, the hours/burn out are real. I toy with the idea of lateraling to state gov work in a couple years, but there’s that whole money thing.

Anyways, thanks for any input you all have!

Super happy with my decision to leave after two years in biglaw litigation. I'll never go back unless it's as a partner. I have way more responsibility now than I ever did (or would for the next 8 or more years) in a biglaw firm, so it's been a gamechanger for my career too. The one thing I miss is the quality of support and resources. I think anyone in government can relate. But you just work with what you have and adapt.

I make about 1/2 of what I made before, and for the career benefits it's absolutely worth it. If money is important to you, it'll be hard though. But money is just a way to feed/clothe myself to me, so it's meaningless beyond the minimum.

OP here. This is encouraging to hear! Care to elaborate on what sorta gov position you have? (NBD if not).

[Dahl]

Left big law for city government. No regrets at all. I love my job and am happy with my work/life balance. Sometimes I’m amazed at the amounts people in big law save, but I am still glad everyday to not be working for a firm.

[Lacepiece23]

I left biglaw to start my own plaintiffs employment firm. I know most people won’t do this. But I have to say that I’m blown away with how great it is.

Everything I disliked about biglaw is gone. I set my own hours. I’m a real lawyer. And I’m actually happy with the work I do.

I’m also set to make pretty good money my first year, which is just an added bonus. A lot of lawyers who own their own firm make great money. And it might not be as hard as you might think.

That’s the best kept secret in the legal profession.

Also, I thought about government. Specially, being an AUSA. But there were so many downsides. Lack of pay, progression, and really a mission I didn’t believe in. I’m sure there are others areas that would be 9-5 and a great fit. But idk, just didn’t seem that great.

[Anonymous User]

I worked in big law for about 3 years and went into government almost 2 years ago. The only good thing about my big law experience was paying off all of my and my wife's debt. I left shortly after we became debt free. To be honest, I would have stayed another year or so just to save up as much as possible, but we had to move for personal reasons.

I have no regrets even though I get paid less than half of what I was making. If you are able to stomach big law, the huge pay cut may not be worth it and may not be feasible for some people. But I was absolutely miserable and could afford to take my current job, which I love. I work 9-5 and never have to work on nights or weekends. I don't get emails 24/7, I have great bosses, and I can take time off (almost always) whenever I want. My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

[Anonymous User]

I left biglaw to start my own plaintiffs employment firm. I know most people won’t do this. But I have to say that I’m blown away with how great it is.

Everything I disliked about biglaw is gone. I set my own hours. I’m a real lawyer. And I’m actually happy with the work I do.

I’m also set to make pretty good money my first year, which is just an added bonus. A lot of lawyers who own their own firm make great money. And it might not be as hard as you might think.

That’s the best kept secret in the legal profession.

Also, I thought about government. Specially, being an AUSA. But there were so many downsides. Lack of pay, progression, and really a mission I didn’t believe in. I’m sure there are others areas that would be 9-5 and a great fit. But idk, just didn’t seem that great.

How did you get clients? How much did your biglaw experience help?

[Anonymous User]

For those who took a substantial cut (like more than 50%, which is what I’d be looking at), did you have a good amount saved from
Biglaw already? How drastic are the lifestyle changes? A lot of times I think Biglaw kind of warps your expectations, since you make so much money early on that it’s hard to imagine working for less.

[Lacepiece23]

I left biglaw to start my own plaintiffs employment firm. I know most people won’t do this. But I have to say that I’m blown away with how great it is.

Everything I disliked about biglaw is gone. I set my own hours. I’m a real lawyer. And I’m actually happy with the work I do.

I’m also set to make pretty good money my first year, which is just an added bonus. A lot of lawyers who own their own firm make great money. And it might not be as hard as you might think.

That’s the best kept secret in the legal profession.

Also, I thought about government. Specially, being an AUSA. But there were so many downsides. Lack of pay, progression, and really a mission I didn’t believe in. I’m sure there are others areas that would be 9-5 and a great fit. But idk, just didn’t seem that great.

How did you get clients? How much did your biglaw experience help?

So far it’s been a mix between a relationship with two workers comp attorneys (most my business), SEO/Lawyer Directories (second most), and randomness like a friend of a friend or whatever.

Biglaw helps a bit with everything. Attention to detail, learning new things on your own, and your reputation.

I’m not sure clients care all that much, but I have the feeling that my background gets some attention from opposing counsel and referral partners.

Overall, it’s been a lot easier than I though. I think this area is especially good if you want a nice work/life balance, want to get clients pretty easily, and aren’t greedy.

You can easily make 300-500k if you own the firm and leverage 3-5 associates. Some even do way better than that.

[da.goat]

I worked in big law for about 3 years and went into government almost 2 years ago. The only good thing about my big law experience was paying off all of my and my wife's debt. I left shortly after we became debt free. To be honest, I would have stayed another year or so just to save up as much as possible, but we had to move for personal reasons.

I have no regrets even though I get paid less than half of what I was making. If you are able to stomach big law, the huge pay cut may not be worth it and may not be feasible for some people. But I was absolutely miserable and could afford to take my current job, which I love. I work 9-5 and never have to work on nights or weekends. I don't get emails 24/7, I have great bosses, and I can take time off (almost always) whenever I want. My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

Can I ask what area of govt you're in? Like state vs federal, practice area, whether it's a big city etc. Would love to go govt one day but I know experiences can vary widely

[Anonymous User]

I worked in big law for about 3 years and went into government almost 2 years ago. The only good thing about my big law experience was paying off all of my and my wife's debt. I left shortly after we became debt free. To be honest, I would have stayed another year or so just to save up as much as possible, but we had to move for personal reasons.

I have no regrets even though I get paid less than half of what I was making. If you are able to stomach big law, the huge pay cut may not be worth it and may not be feasible for some people. But I was absolutely miserable and could afford to take my current job, which I love. I work 9-5 and never have to work on nights or weekends. I don't get emails 24/7, I have great bosses, and I can take time off (almost always) whenever I want. My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

Can I ask what area of govt you're in? Like state vs federal, practice area, whether it's a big city etc. Would love to go govt one day but I know experiences can vary widely

OP here, also super curious about this.

[Anonymous User]

My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

I'm surprised how rarely this reason is mentioned, especially when compared to compensation. Some of my V10 litigation colleagues are very liberal Bernie/Warren supporters and donators who don't seem to have any qualms defending Big Corp. against a class action suit from people who got cancer or flooded homes or their retirement savings taken away.

Money can paper over a lot of guilt and convince people they aren't actually doing anything wrong - I am just as responsible here as anyone - but the fact that I'm spending years of my life to actively make the world worse is weighing on me. Even when I take a big paycut to leave, I can't imagine feeling any remorse about the decision.

[Anonymous User]

My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

I'm surprised how rarely this reason is mentioned, especially when compared to compensation. Some of my V10 litigation colleagues are very liberal Bernie/Warren supporters and donators who don't seem to have any qualms defending Big Corp. against a class action suit from people who got cancer or flooded homes or their retirement savings taken away.

Money can paper over a lot of guilt and convince people they aren't actually doing anything wrong - I am just as responsible here as anyone - but the fact that I'm spending years of my life to actively make the world worse is weighing on me. Even when I take a big paycut to leave, I can't imagine feeling any remorse about the decision.

There's really no way to reconcile my stated value system with what I spend my professional life doing in BL. I don't try to pretend otherwise--but I do tell myself that once I've got mine, I'll do something worthwhile in my Second Act.

[Anonymous User]

My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

I'm surprised how rarely this reason is mentioned, especially when compared to compensation. Some of my V10 litigation colleagues are very liberal Bernie/Warren supporters and donators who don't seem to have any qualms defending Big Corp. against a class action suit from people who got cancer or flooded homes or their retirement savings taken away.

Money can paper over a lot of guilt and convince people they aren't actually doing anything wrong - I am just as responsible here as anyone - but the fact that I'm spending years of my life to actively make the world worse is weighing on me. Even when I take a big paycut to leave, I can't imagine feeling any remorse about the decision.

It's pretty easy on the transactional side. At best I'm scamming billionaires into overpaying me for my services and at worst I'm a lackey for a deal between two large financial institutions

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

I'm surprised how rarely this reason is mentioned, especially when compared to compensation. Some of my V10 litigation colleagues are very liberal Bernie/Warren supporters and donators who don't seem to have any qualms defending Big Corp. against a class action suit from people who got cancer or flooded homes or their retirement savings taken away.

Money can paper over a lot of guilt and convince people they aren't actually doing anything wrong - I am just as responsible here as anyone - but the fact that I'm spending years of my life to actively make the world worse is weighing on me. Even when I take a big paycut to leave, I can't imagine feeling any remorse about the decision.

The bigger the soapboxer a person is, the crazier the mental gymnastics. I've heard it all by now.

"I have to do it to pay off my loans."
"Oh I don't support X, that's just what the law says. Someone really oughta change the law."
"Oh I don't support X, I just want to get experience on the best deals/for the best partners."
"I didn't decide to do the deal; I'm just a cog in the machine."
"If I don't do it, someone else will anyway."
"I mean this is all just between big corporations regardless."
"A bunch of other jobs involve being a corporate stooge too."
"I actually do X amount of pro bono."
"The plaintiff side are actually the money grubbers who file frivolous stuff all the time."
"I mean...*awkward silence*"
"Look, I'm a good person."

I've watched more than one person break into tears trying to answer this question. I used to think it was a tough but reasonable question you could discuss among friends. The cognitive dissonance on people's faces looks actually painful. I never bring it up IRL anymore. Not because I don't want you to find your answer to that question (you definitely need to); I'm just not gonna be the bad guy for making you learn the beliefs you thought were dearly held were actually for up for sale the whole time (at a pretty cheap price, really).

CLS was (and presumably still is) full of loud do-gooders who talked about how they were gonna do XYZ and check every liberal box and, lo and behold, 90%+ of the class wound up doing OCI. I'm sure there was some virtue signaling and a healthy dose of people just fully talking out of their ass, but I don't doubt that the majority of the people who said they were gonna do something good for the world legitimately intended it (at least at some point).

But, you know, those loans, so maybe you can give it a few years, then you can do something you actually wanted, so for now just suck it up, it'll be fine, tweet "Believe all women" on Monday and write your memo on why the CEO who molested 18 interns is actually just a great mentor to his female employees on Tuesday, put a Pan-African flag background on your Instagram picture for Black History Month on Wednesday and help your client foreclose on 43 black-owned businesses on Thursday, try not to stare in the mirror too long on Friday, you're making *some* progress on those loans, but you know, NYC is expensive and you have a $3200 apartment ("Not gonna live in fucking Hell's Kitchen") and when you get a break you take $29 Ubers to meet your boys for $17 craft cocktails, and you've got eight weddings and three bachelor parties this year, and you billed 260 last month so you got yourself a $400 jacket as a little "you're worth it" gift, and your one friend from study abroad does charity events for dogs with Down syndrome, and you're still trying to take that trip to Miami for a week if you can, because, you know, you work hard and you deserve to spend your money how you see fit, and why can't there be a job where you can do some good, be home by 6:30 and still get a decent pair of shoes every now and then, and whoa, now you're 31 and Colleen is really getting antsy on the kid thing and eventually you're gonna need a decent school district and Jesus, look at these Westchester property taxes, and you don't know how the math is gonna work as it is, and what on earth do you want to do in the public interest field anyway, and how would you break into it *now* and goddammit, the study abroad friend is now the Director of Sustainable Water for Burkina Faso BeneFactors, and you're just so fucking tired all the time and one day you just wake up and decide this is who you are now and that flame in your heart to genuinely do some good that you dampened year by year with every comma and every "Will do, thanks, sent from my iPhone" is really finally fully extinguished. Kamala 2024 though.

[Anonymous User]

My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

I'm surprised how rarely this reason is mentioned, especially when compared to compensation. Some of my V10 litigation colleagues are very liberal Bernie/Warren supporters and donators who don't seem to have any qualms defending Big Corp. against a class action suit from people who got cancer or flooded homes or their retirement savings taken away.

Money can paper over a lot of guilt and convince people they aren't actually doing anything wrong - I am just as responsible here as anyone - but the fact that I'm spending years of my life to actively make the world worse is weighing on me. Even when I take a big paycut to leave, I can't imagine feeling any remorse about the decision.

I mean this is the reality of capitalism.

Most of us don't have the heart to walk the walk and put our skin into the fight for public interest. It is what it is. As long as you're honest with yourself (and others), I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of. Life is fucking hard. As much as I dislike biglaw, it could be way worse and there are more regrettable ways to live than grinding yourself to the bone to hopefully be debt- free and to set your family up moving forward. If you have suffocating guilt, then just donate liberally to the causes and people actually fighting to effect meaningful change in this world beyond your bank account.

[Definitely Not North]

My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

I'm surprised how rarely this reason is mentioned, especially when compared to compensation. Some of my V10 litigation colleagues are very liberal Bernie/Warren supporters and donators who don't seem to have any qualms defending Big Corp. against a class action suit from people who got cancer or flooded homes or their retirement savings taken away.

Money can paper over a lot of guilt and convince people they aren't actually doing anything wrong - I am just as responsible here as anyone - but the fact that I'm spending years of my life to actively make the world worse is weighing on me. Even when I take a big paycut to leave, I can't imagine feeling any remorse about the decision.

The bigger the soapboxer a person is, the crazier the mental gymnastics. I've heard it all by now.

"I have to do it to pay off my loans."
"Oh I don't support X, that's just what the law says. Someone really oughta change the law."
"Oh I don't support X, I just want to get experience on the best deals/for the best partners."
"I didn't decide to do the deal; I'm just a cog in the machine."
"If I don't do it, someone else will anyway."
"I mean this is all just between big corporations regardless."
"A bunch of other jobs involve being a corporate stooge too."
"I actually do X amount of pro bono."
"The plaintiff side are actually the money grubbers who file frivolous stuff all the time."
"I mean...*awkward silence*"
"Look, I'm a good person."

I've watched more than one person break into tears trying to answer this question. I used to think it was a tough but reasonable question you could discuss among friends. The cognitive dissonance on people's faces looks actually painful. I never bring it up IRL anymore. Not because I don't want you to find your answer to that question (you definitely need to); I'm just not gonna be the bad guy for making you learn the beliefs you thought were dearly held were actually for up for sale the whole time (at a pretty cheap price, really).

CLS was (and presumably still is) full of loud do-gooders who talked about how they were gonna do XYZ and check every liberal box and, lo and behold, 90%+ of the class wound up doing OCI. I'm sure there was some virtue signaling and a healthy dose of people just fully talking out of their ass, but I don't doubt that the majority of the people who said they were gonna do something good for the world legitimately intended it (at least at some point).

But, you know, those loans, so maybe you can give it a few years, then you can do something you actually wanted, so for now just suck it up, it'll be fine, tweet "Believe all women" on Monday and write your memo on why the CEO who molested 18 interns is actually just a great mentor to his female employees on Tuesday, put a Pan-African flag background on your Instagram picture for Black History Month on Wednesday and help your client foreclose on 43 black-owned businesses on Thursday, try not to stare in the mirror too long on Friday, you're making *some* progress on those loans, but you know, NYC is expensive and you have a $3200 apartment ("Not gonna live in fucking Hell's Kitchen") and when you get a break you take $29 Ubers to meet your boys for $17 craft cocktails, and you've got eight weddings and three bachelor parties this year, and you billed 260 last month so you got yourself a $400 jacket as a little "you're worth it" gift, and your one friend from study abroad does charity events for dogs with Down syndrome, and you're still trying to take that trip to Miami for a week if you can, because, you know, you work hard and you deserve to spend your money how you see fit, and why can't there be a job where you can do some good, be home by 6:30 and still get a decent pair of shoes every now and then, and whoa, now you're 31 and Colleen is really getting antsy on the kid thing and eventually you're gonna need a decent school district and Jesus, look at these Westchester property taxes, and you don't know how the math is gonna work as it is, and what on earth do you want to do in the public interest field anyway, and how would you break into it *now* and goddammit, the study abroad friend is now the Director of Sustainable Water for Burkina Faso BeneFactors, and you're just so fucking tired all the time and one day you just wake up and decide this is who you are now and that flame in your heart to genuinely do some good that you dampened year by year with every comma and every "Will do, thanks, sent from my iPhone" is really finally fully extinguished. Kamala 2024 though.

*chefs kiss* just perfect

[cisscum]

tbf, the mainstream lefts brand of woke capitalism is perfectly consistent with working in biglaw. lmao @ true lefties (bernie supporters and to a lesser extent warren supporters) who work in biglaw

[Anonymous User]

My work is meaningful while working in big law defending the rich and powerful never sat well with me.

I'm surprised how rarely this reason is mentioned, especially when compared to compensation. Some of my V10 litigation colleagues are very liberal Bernie/Warren supporters and donators who don't seem to have any qualms defending Big Corp. against a class action suit from people who got cancer or flooded homes or their retirement savings taken away.

Money can paper over a lot of guilt and convince people they aren't actually doing anything wrong - I am just as responsible here as anyone - but the fact that I'm spending years of my life to actively make the world worse is weighing on me. Even when I take a big paycut to leave, I can't imagine feeling any remorse about the decision.

It's pretty easy on the transactional side. At best I'm scamming billionaires into overpaying me for my services and at worst I'm a lackey for a deal between two large financial institutions

What I've seen on the Lit side is you start with the liberal premise that: "Everyone, even the worst murderer, deserves a competent defense and their day in court." And then if you squint hard enough and don't think about it too much, you can pervert that into "Even Chevron and JP Morgan deserve a competent defense. And am I really that different than the PD that's defending murderers?" That gets you about 3/4 of the way there; you combine that with a couple pro bono hours for immigrants or whatever and some advocacy posting on twitter/facebook, and it lets you sleep good at night.

Wear a mask everybody! #TrustScience

[Anonymous User]

CLS was (and presumably still is) full of loud do-gooders who talked about how they were gonna do XYZ and check every liberal box and, lo and behold, 90%+ of the class wound up doing OCI.

Great post (I am the anon you were replying to), but this part jumped out to me for another reason as well as someone from a different T14. If you ask fall 1Ls what they want to do with their careers, a huge chunk will bring up public interest. But they will also mostly have no idea how to accomplish it, and they will underrate the work that it will take to land a (desirable) PI job. Meanwhile, they are all on a big conveyor belt to OCI and the V50. That's not just the path of least resistance - it is the path of no resistance for law students on autopilot, at least in my experience. The only required meetings I remember having with a career counselor were about revising my resume and doing interview prep specifically for OCI.

This certainly isn't a defense of the mid-20's-at-the-earliest college-graduate advanced-degree-pursuing adults who make these decisions - they have agency, they take responsibility - but the whole T14 system (YLS excluded, I guess) is set up by the schools to funnel as many fresh 1Ls into biglaw as possible. And they do it very efficiently. You can go from your first week of class to orientation at Skadden in a flash without really thinking about it, if you decide to not think about it very much.