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Future Law Student, how to make best of working at firm?

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:12 pm
by Anonymous User
Cliffs:

-Taking LSAT in Feb., enrolling in law school in 2013 (hopefully)
-Recently started working at solo practice firm (plaintiff PI)
-My boss (the solo practioner) is the last one left at the firm, all other partners passed away
-Boss is getting old (late 50's), I realized at some point he must retire
-He expressed interest during initial interview that he would like to have his other law clerk return to his firm once he graduates (old law clerk started law school this year)
-Realized the above could apply to me, if I prove myself
-Only me and his secretary work there, secretary tells me she is leaving at the end of the year
-Leaves only me and a yet-to-be-hired secretary
-I become his "right hand" assistant?
-Now "jumping the gun"/dreaming I will take over his firm one day when he retires.

Is the last not far-fetched? My boss has wayyyyy too many cases to handle and hires per diems to cover most of his Deps, Arbs and oral arguments. How do I prove myself in the next 2 years before I go to law school and secure my position there (I'm 22)? Is it heard of a young associate/partner being "given" the firm with the original partner still given a percentage of net income from cases? This is guy is making ridiculous amounts of money, gets about 10 new clients a week, sits on the cases for about 2 years and gets ridiculous checks from insurance companies and takes 33 1/3 of it for fees (obviously). My guess is he is netting at least 600k/year, probably more.

I typed this up very quickly I hope you guys understand what it is I am trying to say.

Re: Future Law Student, how to make best of working at firm?

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:20 pm
by dailygrind
Moving this over to the Ask a Law Student forum, as this forum is geared towards current law students.

Re: Future Law Student, how to make best of working at firm?

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:25 pm
by Donnis
Sorry, I guess this is more of a general law employment question. More geared towards people already employed.

Re: Future Law Student, how to make best of working at firm?

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:35 pm
by lawschoolgrapedme
Anonymous User wrote:Cliffs:

-Taking LSAT in Feb., enrolling in law school in 2013 (hopefully)
-Recently started working at solo practice firm (plaintiff PI)
-My boss (the solo practioner) is the last one left at the firm, all other partners passed away
-Boss is getting old (late 50's), I realized at some point he must retire
-He expressed interest during initial interview that he would like to have his other law clerk return to his firm once he graduates (old law clerk started law school this year)
-Realized the above could apply to me, if I prove myself
-Only me and his secretary work there, secretary tells me she is leaving at the end of the year
-Leaves only me and a yet-to-be-hired secretary
-I become his "right hand" assistant?
-Now "jumping the gun"/dreaming I will take over his firm one day when he retires.

Is the last not far-fetched? My boss has wayyyyy too many cases to handle and hires per diems to cover most of his Deps, Arbs and oral arguments. How do I prove myself in the next 2 years before I go to law school and secure my position there (I'm 22)? Is it heard of a young associate/partner being "given" the firm with the original partner still given a percentage of net income from cases? This is guy is making ridiculous amounts of money, gets about 10 new clients a week, sits on the cases for about 2 years and gets ridiculous checks from insurance companies and takes 33 1/3 of it for fees (obviously). My guess is he is netting at least 600k/year, probably more.

I typed this up very quickly I hope you guys understand what it is I am trying to say.

do you really think these clients are going to be alright with going from an experienced partner with decades of experience to a newly minted law grad with none? Solo straight out is not easy nor advised.

Re: Future Law Student, how to make best of working at firm?

Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:38 pm
by Donnis
lawschoolgrapedme wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Cliffs:

-Taking LSAT in Feb., enrolling in law school in 2013 (hopefully)
-Recently started working at solo practice firm (plaintiff PI)
-My boss (the solo practioner) is the last one left at the firm, all other partners passed away
-Boss is getting old (late 50's), I realized at some point he must retire
-He expressed interest during initial interview that he would like to have his other law clerk return to his firm once he graduates (old law clerk started law school this year)
-Realized the above could apply to me, if I prove myself
-Only me and his secretary work there, secretary tells me she is leaving at the end of the year
-Leaves only me and a yet-to-be-hired secretary
-I become his "right hand" assistant?
-Now "jumping the gun"/dreaming I will take over his firm one day when he retires.

Is the last not far-fetched? My boss has wayyyyy too many cases to handle and hires per diems to cover most of his Deps, Arbs and oral arguments. How do I prove myself in the next 2 years before I go to law school and secure my position there (I'm 22)? Is it heard of a young associate/partner being "given" the firm with the original partner still given a percentage of net income from cases? This is guy is making ridiculous amounts of money, gets about 10 new clients a week, sits on the cases for about 2 years and gets ridiculous checks from insurance companies and takes 33 1/3 of it for fees (obviously). My guess is he is netting at least 600k/year, probably more.

I typed this up very quickly I hope you guys understand what it is I am trying to say.

do you really think these clients are going to be alright with going from an experienced partner with decades of experience to a newly minted law grad with none? Solo straight out is not easy nor advised.
Didn't mean solo straight out. At least 5-10 years experience at his solo firm and transition it to myself. Only reason I am asking is because this is a one man show and my boss is drowning in cases.

Re: Future Law Student, how to make best of working at firm?

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 2:32 pm
by okinawa
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