Hate Lit but Told I Cant Switch to Corp Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am 6 mos in and realize I don't want to litigate. I went to a partner I trust, asked them for help switching to corp. He asked around but was told there isn't a business need at my firm (V15 with large lit and corp groups). The partner said I might consider switching firms... Is it crazy to switch firms so early on?

[Dcc617]

I am 6 mos in and realize I don't want to litigate. I went to a partner I trust, asked them for help switching to corp. He asked around but was told there isn't a business need at my firm (V15 with large lit and corp groups). The partner said I might consider switching firms... Is it crazy to switch firms so early on?

It’s not ideal but not that uncommon. And you have a very good reason.

[Anonymous User]

It's the rest of your career in biglaw and is way more important than what firm you are working at.

You may also hate corp though as I think most people just hate biglaw

[Anonymous User]

Are you me? Because you sound exactly like me. They didn't recommend I switch firms, but basically said "that's probably not possible." I'm heavily considering applying to openings for corp even though they're asking for two years of experience, as it's my understanding they just need bodies.

[objctnyrhnr]

It's the rest of your career in biglaw and is way more important than what firm you are working at.

You may also hate corp though as I think most people just hate biglaw

Yeah hate to say it but I think the consensus is that lit is more fun than Corp. it comes with crappier, lower paying and less plentiful exit options, partnership potential is way lower...but it’s definitely more enjoyable as an associate.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah hate to say it but I think the consensus is that lit is more fun than Corp. it comes with crappier, lower paying and less plentiful exit options, partnership potential is way lower...but it’s definitely more enjoyable as an associate.

But are any of those opportunities ones that people who chose lit because corp sounds boring and terrible would be interested in? Genuine question from a firm-bound 2L.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah hate to say it but I think the consensus is that lit is more fun than Corp. it comes with crappier, lower paying and less plentiful exit options, partnership potential is way lower...but it’s definitely more enjoyable as an associate.

But are any of those opportunities ones that people who chose lit because corp sounds boring and terrible would be interested in? Genuine question from a firm-bound 2L.

Almost anyone subjecting themselves to biglaw will care about inhouse salary. Inhouse likely doesn't mean interesting work but less work, less uncertainty and only a 25-40% paycut for corp associates.

I could see litigation being 80% paycut

[Anonymous User]

Yeah hate to say it but I think the consensus is that lit is more fun than Corp. it comes with crappier, lower paying and less plentiful exit options, partnership potential is way lower...but it’s definitely more enjoyable as an associate.

But are any of those opportunities ones that people who chose lit because corp sounds boring and terrible would be interested in? Genuine question from a firm-bound 2L.

Some of them seem to involve giving legal advice to internal business teams. Litigators might enjoy that aspect I suppose.

[gregfootball2001]

It's the rest of your career in biglaw and is way more important than what firm you are working at.

You may also hate corp though as I think most people just hate biglaw

Yeah hate to say it but I think the consensus is that lit is more fun than Corp. it comes with crappier, lower paying and less plentiful exit options, partnership potential is way lower...but it’s definitely more enjoyable as an associate.

Assuming that the bolded above means M&A, that may be true. There are many different types of "corp," though. I started in litigation, and now I do tech transactions. Anecdotal, of course, but what I do now is way more fun.

Yes, I had to move firms to make the switch.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the EXACT same position. Hoping that I can make it a year because I don’t want to repay the COVID stipend and the bar class costs.

[Anonymous User]

It's the rest of your career in biglaw and is way more important than what firm you are working at.

You may also hate corp though as I think most people just hate biglaw

Yeah hate to say it but I think the consensus is that lit is more fun than Corp. it comes with crappier, lower paying and less plentiful exit options, partnership potential is way lower...but it’s definitely more enjoyable as an associate.

Assuming that the bolded above means M&A, that may be true. There are many different types of "corp," though. I started in litigation, and now I do tech transactions. Anecdotal, of course, but what I do now is way more fun.

Yes, I had to move firms to make the switch.

What do you prefer about tech transactions vs. M&A/lit?

[Anonymous User]

wow, i thought the corp teams are all really busy these days, and many firms are actually forcing lit associates to take on more corp matters. I thought the corp departments would be really happy to take in more associates from lit department these days?

[lawlo]

I’m in the EXACT same position. Hoping that I can make it a year because I don’t want to repay the COVID stipend and the bar class costs.

What covid stipend? Also, do firms really enforce this?

[Iowahawk]

Yeah hate to say it but I think the consensus is that lit is more fun than Corp. it comes with crappier, lower paying and less plentiful exit options, partnership potential is way lower...but it’s definitely more enjoyable as an associate.

But are any of those opportunities ones that people who chose lit because corp sounds boring and terrible would be interested in? Genuine question from a firm-bound 2L.

Almost anyone subjecting themselves to biglaw will care about inhouse salary. Inhouse likely doesn't mean interesting work but less work, less uncertainty and only a 25-40% paycut for corp associates.

I could see litigation being 80% paycut

Lit exit options are worse compensation-wise on average but there's no need to exaggerate. The main lit exits, smaller firms, government, and in-house lit positions, are all likely to be more interesting to litigators than corporate in-house and don't come with 80% pay cuts.

[Anonymous User]

We are getting to the point where $100k is close to an 80% paycut. I thought that's what government positions paid 6th years. I would agree inhouse lit is better compensation wise.

No idea about small firms.

[Anonymous User]

I am 6 mos in and realize I don't want to litigate. I went to a partner I trust, asked them for help switching to corp. He asked around but was told there isn't a business need at my firm (V15 with large lit and corp groups). The partner said I might consider switching firms... Is it crazy to switch firms so early on?

Just out of curiosity, what do you not like about litigation and what about corporate law that made you think you will like it better than lit?

[Anonymous User]

I am 6 mos in and realize I don't want to litigate. I went to a partner I trust, asked them for help switching to corp. He asked around but was told there isn't a business need at my firm (V15 with large lit and corp groups). The partner said I might consider switching firms... Is it crazy to switch firms so early on?

Just out of curiosity, what do you not like about litigation and what about corporate law that made you think you will like it better than lit?

OP here.

I don't mind the day-to-day of litigation, but as I think about my career trajectory, I am not sure that helping clients navigate the tribunal process is really what brings me joy. I thought because I was a decent writer and liked the act of public speaking, litigation was for me. But as it turns out, piecing together a narrative to execute a backward-looking strategy (albeit, interesting at its highest levels) is not exactly what excites me. And, I don't love research lol.

I realized that what I really enjoy is thinking through ambiguities in a contract, which is a more forward-looking strategic exercise. I get (relatively more) inspired considering how the scope of a phrase or word can completely change the risk profile for a client. Even more exciting is that we as counselors can help manage, mitigate, and negotiate these points. As weird as it sounds, those are the kinds of things that I actually feel I am interested in. And I realize that the big downfall is the way the hours might flow in a biglaw corp practice, but if that means I get to do the type of work I want, it seems like it's very much worth the jump.

[2013]

I am 6 mos in and realize I don't want to litigate. I went to a partner I trust, asked them for help switching to corp. He asked around but was told there isn't a business need at my firm (V15 with large lit and corp groups). The partner said I might consider switching firms... Is it crazy to switch firms so early on?

Just out of curiosity, what do you not like about litigation and what about corporate law that made you think you will like it better than lit?

OP here.

I don't mind the day-to-day of litigation, but as I think about my career trajectory, I am not sure that helping clients navigate the tribunal process is really what brings me joy. I thought because I was a decent writer and liked the act of public speaking, litigation was for me. But as it turns out, piecing together a narrative to execute a backward-looking strategy (albeit, interesting at its highest levels) is not exactly what excites me. And, I don't love research lol.

I realized that what I really enjoy is thinking through ambiguities in a contract, which is a more forward-looking strategic exercise. I get (relatively more) inspired considering how the scope of a phrase or word can completely change the risk profile for a client. Even more exciting is that we as counselors can help manage, mitigate, and negotiate these points. As weird as it sounds, those are the kinds of things that I actually feel I am interested in. And I realize that the big downfall is the way the hours might flow in a biglaw corp practice, but if that means I get to do the type of work I want, it seems like it's very much worth the jump.

OP, I don’t think you understand what most first year corporate associates do in biglaw. You should ask your colleagues or classmates before making the jump.

[Iowahawk]

I am 6 mos in and realize I don't want to litigate. I went to a partner I trust, asked them for help switching to corp. He asked around but was told there isn't a business need at my firm (V15 with large lit and corp groups). The partner said I might consider switching firms... Is it crazy to switch firms so early on?

Just out of curiosity, what do you not like about litigation and what about corporate law that made you think you will like it better than lit?

OP here.

I don't mind the day-to-day of litigation, but as I think about my career trajectory, I am not sure that helping clients navigate the tribunal process is really what brings me joy. I thought because I was a decent writer and liked the act of public speaking, litigation was for me. But as it turns out, piecing together a narrative to execute a backward-looking strategy (albeit, interesting at its highest levels) is not exactly what excites me. And, I don't love research lol.

I realized that what I really enjoy is thinking through ambiguities in a contract, which is a more forward-looking strategic exercise. I get (relatively more) inspired considering how the scope of a phrase or word can completely change the risk profile for a client. Even more exciting is that we as counselors can help manage, mitigate, and negotiate these points. As weird as it sounds, those are the kinds of things that I actually feel I am interested in. And I realize that the big downfall is the way the hours might flow in a biglaw corp practice, but if that means I get to do the type of work I want, it seems like it's very much worth the jump.

OP, I don’t think you understand what most first year corporate associates do in biglaw. You should ask your colleagues or classmates before making the jump.

Confused also because litigators do counsel clients on choosing strategies based on contractual risks, deal with ambiguities of contract language, etc... Those are like basic functions of commercial litigators.

I wonder if OP might actually enjoy L&E, which generally combines a lot of ex ante counseling and risk management with litigation. That doesn't get around not liking research though. But yeah when I read this I definitely don't think "this guy should go do M&A."

[Anonymous User]

But yeah when I read this I definitely don't think "this guy should go do M&A."

What would be the characteristics of someone you think should do M&A?

[lolwutpar]

But yeah when I read this I definitely don't think "this guy should go do M&A."

What would be the characteristics of someone you think should do M&A?

Someone who hates predictability and loves mad scrambles that consume your life.

Kidding. Kind of. Not really.

[2013]

But yeah when I read this I definitely don't think "this guy should go do M&A."

What would be the characteristics of someone you think should do M&A?

Someone who hates predictability and loves mad scrambles that consume your life.

Kidding. Kind of. Not really.

Someone who likes filling in blanks and flipping pages. And chasing people around. And managing projects.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the EXACT same position. Hoping that I can make it a year because I don’t want to repay the COVID stipend and the bar class costs.

Find a few good recruiters and start talking to them. Those aren't good reasons to wait. It's possible if not likely that a new firm would cover those clawbacks for you if you got an offer and explained that was what was on your mind. I know my firm in the V10 will hire almost any warm body who's interested these days in certain groups, at least in the midlevel and senior associate ranks, but I'm sure they'd take some juniors too.

[cavalier1138]

OP, as others have suggested, it sounds like you're actually interested in a regulatory practice (or white collar compliance-side work). If you have started to focus on a substantive area in your litigation, that could be a helpful way into a regulatory specialty.

[objctnyrhnr]

But yeah when I read this I definitely don't think "this guy should go do M&A."

What would be the characteristics of someone you think should do M&A?

People who realize way too late that they should have gone into business?

Kidding...kind of