In-House to Big Law Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anybody ever made the switch from in-house to big law, having never practiced in big law (or only practiced for a short amount of time before going in-house)? If so, what has been your experience? Do you think it was the right move? How was the lifestyle and stress transition? Were the hours/work life balance what you envisioned? Better? Worse?

I am asking because I am considering this move and just started interviewing. I have never been at a law firm, and part of me wonders if not having that experience is an ultimate handicap on my career (the other part of me is worried about whether I will be happy in big law).

[Anonymous User]

I recently made the jump to big law from in-house never having practiced in big law. I did, however, practice at a midsize firm for 2 years prior to going in-house. My path was 2 years midlaw -> 2 years in-house -> biglaw.

So far, about six months in, I'm incredibly happy with the move. I think there a number of factors for that though:

I was very picky about the firm and group I joined.
I'm fully remote - meaning I did not have to move my family, and I live in a very LCOL area which makes the big law salary go insanely far.
I had prior law firm experience and didn't hate it - in the back of my mind I always wanted big law.

As far as differences, my in-house experience was great, but I was still busy as far as others in-house experience goes. But the busy was more consistent - generally working 40-50 hours per week with little lull in work. There was also a ton of administrative work.

Big law there's more ebb and flow so far. I've had incredibly busy weeks, busier than in-house, and much slower weeks. I suspect those slow weeks may become fewer and farther between as I become more senior.

Both have their stressors. I can't say I'm any more stressed in big law than I was in-house. If anything I feel other stress in my life has been greatly reduced - I've been able to over double my salary so I've knocked out a ton of debt already. Plus, I generally enjoy the narrower field of law I now practice at the firm, rather than what i was doing in-house.

As far as career progression, I viewed this as another stepping stone in career growth and opportunity. I joined my firm knowing I could very well stay here for a long time. But I also understand that I did not have big law experience so I could hate it. Either way, I knew joining a big law firm would open doors I could not possibly have opened staying in-house. Plus, I'm getting far better experience and training now than I was getting in-house.

Only other thing I'd add, if I wasn't as picky with the firm I joined I realize I may not have been as happy with the move. I didn't join a firm with a reputation for being a "sweatshop". And of all the interviews I did I had a much better feeling about the partners here than at other places I interviewed with.

[Anonymous User]

I recently made the jump to big law from in-house never having practiced in big law. I did, however, practice at a midsize firm for 2 years prior to going in-house. My path was 2 years midlaw -> 2 years in-house -> biglaw.

So far, about six months in, I'm incredibly happy with the move. I think there a number of factors for that though:

I was very picky about the firm and group I joined.
I'm fully remote - meaning I did not have to move my family, and I live in a very LCOL area which makes the big law salary go insanely far.
I had prior law firm experience and didn't hate it - in the back of my mind I always wanted big law.

As far as differences, my in-house experience was great, but I was still busy as far as others in-house experience goes. But the busy was more consistent - generally working 40-50 hours per week with little lull in work. There was also a ton of administrative work.

Big law there's more ebb and flow so far. I've had incredibly busy weeks, busier than in-house, and much slower weeks. I suspect those slow weeks may become fewer and farther between as I become more senior.

Both have their stressors. I can't say I'm any more stressed in big law than I was in-house. If anything I feel other stress in my life has been greatly reduced - I've been able to over double my salary so I've knocked out a ton of debt already. Plus, I generally enjoy the narrower field of law I now practice at the firm, rather than what i was doing in-house.

As far as career progression, I viewed this as another stepping stone in career growth and opportunity. I joined my firm knowing I could very well stay here for a long time. But I also understand that I did not have big law experience so I could hate it. Either way, I knew joining a big law firm would open doors I could not possibly have opened staying in-house. Plus, I'm getting far better experience and training now than I was getting in-house.

Only other thing I'd add, if I wasn't as picky with the firm I joined I realize I may not have been as happy with the move. I didn't join a firm with a reputation for being a "sweatshop". And of all the interviews I did I had a much better feeling about the partners here than at other places I interviewed with.

OP here. Thank you for sharing your experience! Can I ask you what kind of practice area you are in (understood if you don't want to reveal)? Also, given that firm wide reputations can have great variance by practice group, did the practice group you interviewed with match the firm reputation? Finally, what are your normal M-F hours like? How often do you have to work weekends or have "drop everything" fire drills?

[Anonymous User]

I sort of did this six months ago, although I think my firm would be considered more mid law than big law. Had only ever practiced in-house prior to the move. The main reason for the move was that my life in-house had gotten a lot less enjoyable. I went from working a pretty relaxed 9-5:30 every day to working a much more hectic schedule, and it just started to seem like the hit in comp I was taking by working in-house wasn't worth it anymore.

So far, I really haven't had to work that much more at my firm than I was working in-house, and I make a lot more money. I was also pretty worried about my career prospects if I didn't have a firm on my resume, so I think it was the right move in that sense too. That said, I think ultimately I'd like to end up back in-house in a few years, but for now I think being at a firm is the right move.

[Anonymous User]

Can I ask both the above responders - were you classed back any years?

[Anonymous User]

I sort of did this six months ago, although I think my firm would be considered more mid law than big law. Had only ever practiced in-house prior to the move. The main reason for the move was that my life in-house had gotten a lot less enjoyable. I went from working a pretty relaxed 9-5:30 every day to working a much more hectic schedule, and it just started to seem like the hit in comp I was taking by working in-house wasn't worth it anymore.

So far, I really haven't had to work that much more at my firm than I was working in-house, and I make a lot more money. I was also pretty worried about my career prospects if I didn't have a firm on my resume, so I think it was the right move in that sense too. That said, I think ultimately I'd like to end up back in-house in a few years, but for now I think being at a firm is the right move.

Can I ask you what your practice area is? All good if you can't divulge, but have to ask.

[Anonymous User]

Can I ask you what your practice area is? All good if you can't divulge, but have to ask.

Capital Markets.

[Anonymous User]

What would your thoughts be on partnership prospects for someone coming into big law in this situation? I understand you may take a hit to class year, but do you think you are behind the 8-ball even more for making partner? Do you think you would actually track with the class year the firm placed you in? Would you have to expect to jump to another firm to have a chance?

[Anonymous User]

Has anybody ever made the switch from in-house to big law, having never practiced in big law (or only practiced for a short amount of time before going in-house)? If so, what has been your experience? Do you think it was the right move? How was the lifestyle and stress transition? Were the hours/work life balance what you envisioned? Better? Worse?

I am asking because I am considering this move and just started interviewing. I have never been at a law firm, and part of me wonders if not having that experience is an ultimate handicap on my career (the other part of me is worried about whether I will be happy in big law).

OP here. Would also like to bump and second that question, or at least piggyback off of it. I'm looking to lateral as a senior mid-level - I am concerned that even with the class back, there is a fairly small window of time - maybe only 3-4 years - to either make partner or leave. How do people who have made this kind of switch feel about this or deal with it?

[Anonymous User]

Generally speaking, it's very difficult to switch from in house to big law, especially if you have no prior firm experience. It's a tough sell to the firms.

[Anonymous User]

Generally speaking, it's very difficult to switch from in house to big law, especially if you have no prior firm experience. It's a tough sell to the firms.

Sure. Except for certain practices, lots of in-house people going to law firms in this market. This thread is really for people where this is a viable and realistic option, and the merits of exercising that option.