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Im a senior-ish attorney (c/o 2016) with a transactional background deciding what I should do next with my career. I’ve been in house for a year at a FAANG (one of the ones with a not great reputation) after about 6 years at a V50 and haven’t been very happy with it. I am strongly considering making a change, including going back to biglaw. Maybe midlaw. Would even consider going solo.

I’ve got decently broad experience, and I think I could sell myself on anything from tech transactions to finance.

I have thought hard about it and I really like working largely independently on projects without a lot of bullshit. I am an introvert and hate meetings and most calls. I’ve learned that that is very much not available at my FAANG, where the bullshit and meetings are incessant. On the other hand, it’s really nice to have some predictability in my WLB (though I work as early/late as I did at a firm a lot of weekdays). I also would like to make a bunch of money ASAP so I can FIRE.

I’m considering slinging applications at Perkins and DWT, maybe some midlaw shops. Maybe saying fuck it and going solo. Maybe taking a swing at some other company in house to see if the grass is greener. I don’t know.

Really welcome any general thoughts anybody has that might help me figure out what I should do next.

Do you mean DWT? DPW doesn't have a Seattle office.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 10, 2022 8:52 am

Do you mean DWT? DPW doesn't have a Seattle office.

Ah my bad—thanks, fixed

Also—I guess this assumes (i) firms would take a boomerang back from FAANG and (ii) that it’s not crazy to be considering shaking things up with the state of the market (with layoffs, etc., happening)?

I actually had a family member go from in-house to DWT in Seattle. He had been in-house for a long time though. He liked it enough, but after 2 years went back in-house. I am not sure about DWT's comp level for senior associates. Is it going to be any higher than Amazon (assuming based on your description that is where you are at)?

I have friends who have been at Perkins in Chicago and Seattle and most have positive things to say. I'd say if you want the most cash, go for that if they are hiring. Although no harm in sending DWT an app too. But with the economy, you might end up having to stick it out at your current company for a little while longer.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 10, 2022 12:39 pm

I actually had a family member go from in-house to DWT in Seattle. He had been in-house for a long time though. He liked it enough, but after 2 years went back in-house. I am not sure about DWT's comp level for senior associates. Is it going to be any higher than Amazon (assuming based on your description that is where you are at)?

I have friends who have been at Perkins in Chicago and Seattle and most have positive things to say. I'd say if you want the most cash, go for that if they are hiring. Although no harm in sending DWT an app too. But with the economy, you might end up having to stick it out at your current company for a little while longer.

As one datapoint I had a lateral offer from DWT Seattle about a year ago, and they were straightforward about acknowledging that they're just not able or willing to pay Milbank scale. Their offer was to bring me in (4th year) at my NYC salary, but all raises going forward would be at their internal scale, which would be less. Totally fair offer, and they were nice people, but I went in-house instead.