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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.

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.

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).

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.