Advice for someone thinking about moving to a smaller firm Forum

[cam1992]

I am about 18 months into practice and I have an opportunity to move from a big law firm to a small boutique-ish shop. The firm is about 30 attorneys (only one office) and will give me the opportunity for the type of practice that I really want. I would be moving from a securities lit practice to an administrative law/public law practice. I have a mental hurdle about leaving big law so early in my career, and I am hoping others on this site may have advice for getting around this hurdle. I worked SO hard to go to a big law firm, and I worry that I may regret leaving so early in my career. Compensation is less (although not nearly as less as I would have thought), but the life-style does appear to be better. This move would not be about life-style, it would be because of the practice opportunities. I do not know anyone who has made this change so early in their career (my lawyer friends who know I am considering this do not agree), so I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who faced a similar choice early in their career.

[Anonymous User]

What are the downsides to moving? What are you afraid of? Why do your lawyer friends think your moving is a bad idea?

It seems like the boutique-ish firm is a great opportunity for you, and one that may not present itself again if you pass it up.

[Anonymous User]

If you’re not worried about money, what’s the issue? I’m assuming you aren’t coming from a T14, because at schools where everyone can get biglaw, nobody would consider it particularly prestigious or anything compared to an admin boutique (assuming the boutique is actually good).

[CanadianWolf]

First concern should focus on your financial situation.

Second concern might focus on your like / dislike of your current position & work environment.

I think that it would be difficult for most to offer a definitive answer since it does not seem that you are unhappy in your current position & your original post shared few specifics.