Fund Formation/Investment Funds vs. Finance (Debt Finance, Capital Markets, Structured Transactions) Forum

[Anonymous User]

What is the day to day life like for an investment funds associate versus a finance associate? What are the exit options like? Is it easier to make partner in one group versus another? Is one group more recession proof than the other?

Funds seems hot right now but it's highly specialized and does not seem to have the transferability a finance background would have. But as private equity continues to grow, it seems like a good practice area for a young lawyer who wants to make partner.

Also seems like Funds is less frantic-pace than Finance. I personally prefer to work for long periods of time uninterrupted, and it seems like this is better suited for Funds (I would much rather mow through a pile of work uninterrupted rather than constantly be jerked around and being hyper responsive to e-mail).

I have been a Restructuring and an M&A associate. I really like the substance of the work and am completely fine with the hours. However. the rapid pace and hyper-responsiveness (especially in M&A) is not good for my anxiety. I don't feel like I actually do work or learn things, just answer e-mails and copy and paste crap. I'm also tired of getting laid off (or fearing being laid off) every time the economy changes direction....in other words, something with more stability but still has good exit options and partnership prospects.