Can one lateral from a V10 too soon?
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:26 am
Vault came out this week and as everyone goes wild over prestige, I wonder if it's a bad idea to lateral from my V10 as a first-year to a litigation botique that pays market.
Nearly one year in biglaw was more than enough for me to stop caring about prestige, but I know others care, and I'm wondering if leaving one of the most prestigious firms too soon for a botique might make it harder to lateral again if I ever feel the need. For instance, I presume associate A with 5 years at V10 will generally be more marketable/prestigious and have more exit opportunities than Associate B with 1 year at V10 and 4 years at even a market paying botique. That possibility (plus the notion of the devil you know) makes me think that I should stay at V10 longer, even though I think that I might be happier at botique. If the V10 screwed me, I imagine I would have an easier time landing on my feet than if the botique did.
Nearly one year in biglaw was more than enough for me to stop caring about prestige, but I know others care, and I'm wondering if leaving one of the most prestigious firms too soon for a botique might make it harder to lateral again if I ever feel the need. For instance, I presume associate A with 5 years at V10 will generally be more marketable/prestigious and have more exit opportunities than Associate B with 1 year at V10 and 4 years at even a market paying botique. That possibility (plus the notion of the devil you know) makes me think that I should stay at V10 longer, even though I think that I might be happier at botique. If the V10 screwed me, I imagine I would have an easier time landing on my feet than if the botique did.