Is it normal to not aspire to make partner? Forum

[cam1992]

Does anyone else simply not have the aspiration of being a partner at a law firm? I have been in biglaw for a few months now, and I already know that I have no real interest in being a partner at any sized law firm. My mentor and the other older associates I work with all want to make partner (or at least they say they do). Is it that the associates hoping for partnership are more vocal and active in the firm (i.e. serving as a mentor, reaching out to new associates, etc.)? Sometimes I feel pretty isolated knowing that I want to leave my firm after a few years of money (and hopefully solid relationship building). Is this normal?

[jarofsoup]

Yes.

[Sackboy]

To expand a bit more beyond just "yes," I'll say this. This is totally normally.

[Anonymous User]

Service partner literally seems like one of the worst professional fates to be stuck working for the rest of your life.

[4LTsPointingNorth]

It's very normal to not aspire to law firm partnership, but it would also be pretty abnormal to share that info with a brand new junior associate that you don't have a strong relationship with yet.

At least if you tell a partner you trust that you don't think law firm life is the best fit for you long-term, they might give you helpful career advice or help you keep an eye out for desirable in-house opportunities. Telling a brand new junior associate that you don't want to stick around forever just risks offering yourself up as fodder for your practice group's gossip mill.

[Sackboy]

It's very normal to not aspire to law firm partnership, but it would also be pretty abnormal to share that info with a brand new junior associate that you don't have a strong relationship with yet.

At least if you tell a partner you trust that you don't think law firm life is the best fit for you long-term, they might give you helpful career advice or help you keep an eye out for desirable in-house opportunities. Telling a brand new junior associate that you don't want to stick around forever just risks offering yourself up as fodder for your practice group's gossip mill.

I wouldn't tell anyone I don't want partnership until I'm ready to transition out, whether that be with an associate or partner.

[Anonymous User]

Not only is it normal, but I think those who aspire to be a partner are basically psychopaths.

[Anonymous User]

It is abnormal to want to become a biglaw partner. I'll say that, conservatively, the plurality of biglaw associates actively don't want to be partners and a large majority either don't want to or are ambivalent about it (which in effect is about the same thing).

[jotarokujo]

not gunning for partner makes biglaw so much more relaxing. even more relaxing is being ok with getting fired.

[Anonymous User]

not gunning for partner makes biglaw so much more relaxing. even more relaxing is being ok with getting fired.

ok with being fired is all that makes it bearable. if i ever go back to office i want a mug that says "ok, fire me then" on it

[nealric]

I think there was a time when most biglaw associates aspired to partnership. But there was also a time when it was a much more realistic goal and there were fewer exit options.

I went into biglaw open minded about partnership, but certainly not gunning for it specifically (I knew the long odds). Part of the reason why people want it is lack of obviously better options (especially in certain practices without great in-house exits). Most would rather make partner than perma associate (Counsel) or work for the government for way less pay.

[Jchance]

law firm progression follows an up-or-out model. If you're telling people you don't want to go up, without caveating that you're ok with being a counsel, then you're essentially telling people you want out now or at some point in the future. It's just not a good signaling.

It's ok to think so, it's not kosher to verbalize it until you're ready to leave.

[Sackboy]

law firm progression follows an up-or-out model. If you're telling people you don't want to go up, without caveating that you're ok with being a counsel, then you're essentially telling people you want out now or at some point in the future. It's just not a good signaling.

It's ok to think so, it's not kosher to verbalize it until you're ready to leave.

What you described is the opposite of up or out. Law firms are rarely every up or out anymore, and they are happy to have hordes of counsel/non-equity partners. It's not okay to voice you want to leave, but if you're getting senior it's totally fine at most firms to voice that you'd be interested in a permanent counsel, non-equity partner, or "practice area" attorney role. I know a guy who has been counsel for 38 years. Guy just wants to litigate and not deal with building business or any other shenanigans. Every year, he probably adds $1M to the partnership profit pool, and I'm sure they love it.

[RokosBasilisk2049]

I do not know a single person at my law school who genuinely truly wishes to become a partner at a big law firm. Maybe they exist but they don't tell anyone for fear of being outed as a gunner, idk.

Most everyone I know wants to do BL for a couple years, get the golden star on the resume, pay down loans and build up a small nestegg before bailing for greener pastures.

Maybe it's just the people I talk to, but it sure seems like there is a strong consensus among my peers that working so much that your kid can't point you out in a line of strangers (all to just make some asshole richer) is absolute loser behavior, and it's just way more rad to suck the teat of the government or land a chill in-house role.

[jotarokujo]

Here's one question though. If it is the case that most in biglaw dont want to make partner, why does it also seem like most people are overly stressed out by biglaw? i think more people need to act on the fact that they dont want partner

this is like how people were stressed in law school when they had no reason to gun

[Anonymous User]

Here's one question though. If it is the case that most in biglaw dont want to make partner, why does it also seem like most people are overly stressed out by biglaw? i think more people need to act on the fact that they dont want partner

this is like how people were stressed in law school when they had no reason to gun

Because you still work your ass off even if you plan to leave in a few years.

[Anonymous User]

Here's one question though. If it is the case that most in biglaw dont want to make partner, why does it also seem like most people are overly stressed out by biglaw? i think more people need to act on the fact that they dont want partner

this is like how people were stressed in law school when they had no reason to gun

+1. Fear maybe, first real job ever and feeling like you owe it to the firm or something, people who’s identity is too tied up in their perceived status among others. If you don’t want partner, do just enough to land where you want/get the experience you want and try not to stress. You aren’t a lesser person because a partner or senior associate thinks poorly of your work or is mad that you missed something or were slow in getting back. Who cares, life is bigger than that.

[Anonymous User]

+1. Fear maybe, first real job ever and feeling like you owe it to the firm or something, people who’s identity is too tied up in their perceived status among others. If you don’t want partner, do just enough to land where you want/get the experience you want and try not to stress. You aren’t a lesser person because a partner or senior associate thinks poorly of your work or is mad that you missed something or were slow in getting back. Who cares, life is bigger than that.

Easier in hindsight to take those things less seriously; also, easier to know what "just enough to land where you want" means. But when you're just setting out on your career, and you're working for people whose opinion of you matters professionally (though not morally, spiritually, etc.), then it's hard not to be stressed, especially if the future (e.g., exit options) are uncertain.

Point taken that most of us are guilty of wrapping self-identity in other's opinions. People in law and biglaw specifically also tend to be somewhat neurotic and anxious, imo, or the profession causes that in them.

[Anonymous User]

+1. Fear maybe, first real job ever and feeling like you owe it to the firm or something, people who’s identity is too tied up in their perceived status among others. If you don’t want partner, do just enough to land where you want/get the experience you want and try not to stress. You aren’t a lesser person because a partner or senior associate thinks poorly of your work or is mad that you missed something or were slow in getting back. Who cares, life is bigger than that.

Easier in hindsight to take those things less seriously; also, easier to know what "just enough to land where you want" means. But when you're just setting out on your career, and you're working for people whose opinion of you matters professionally (though not morally, spiritually, etc.), then it's hard not to be stressed, especially if the future (e.g., exit options) are uncertain.

Point taken that most of us are guilty of wrapping self-identity in other's opinions. People in law and biglaw specifically also tend to be somewhat neurotic and anxious, imo, or the profession causes that in them.

That was a good response. Agree.

[Anonymous User]

This sounds shitty but I am a 2L and I am doing big law because I didn't know what I wanted to do after undergrad, but I liked writing so law school seemed like a good option. I was good at the LSAT so I got into a good law school with mediocre undergrad grades. Did well in law school so far and got into a good firm for this summer. 0 interest in big law long term but I'm excited about the salary for a few years (assuming I don't get a cold offer). Want to do my own thing eventually. Not sure if I'm normal or not though.