Why do people glorify biglaw? Forum

[speedtracer]

I'm sitting here mulling over a decision to transfer to Stanford from Florida, having already turned down Harvard. One of my big concerns is debt. People say "you'll be able to pay that off doing biglaw in no time!" (note: I'm not starting this thread to start a debate on any of the previous sentences here; I just wanted to give background on why I'm making it.)

Biglaw seems completely undesirable to me, and even moreso because of what people post on here sometimes. I just read a post by a 1L who was considering transferring, in which he said "I just want to do biglaw, no matter where." Why? To me, it sounds like 15 hour days, six days per week, in incredibly stressful situations with ruthless partners or senior associates. Sure, it makes bank, but why work a job that pays a lot if you don't have any time to spend the money? Even my mother, who did closer to medium-law, made bank but had no time to enjoy it. She could have lived her lifestyle on $30k.

It doesn't even seem like people enjoy it. I've seen posts here where people plan their exit strategies, sometimes before even graduating law school. It's like people make the investment of law school in order to get a specific job... that they only want for, at most, a decade. Is it the vague hope of making partner? Then it seems like your days last even longer - I read one post earlier about a managing partner who was at the office from 4 AM to 10 PM. Is that what's attractive about the job?

Please note that I'm not trying to knock biglaw or anyone who wants it. I'm honestly trying to understand why people enjoy it and what entices 0Ls about it, in order to see if my analysis is missing anything.

[Mal Reynolds]

I don't want to spend three years of my life and no income for a job making 50k.

[baal hadad]

Lemme ask you this

What kind of job do you want to start if not biglaw

There are like 5 jobs you can get (realistically) comin from LS to start

Clerk - aka prestigious or unprestigious temping
Fed govt - good luck there are like 3 jobs w the feds
Local govt - so... PD/DA
Big firm - pays good, "exit options"
Small/medium firms - run the gamut but usually pay less

Which of those do you want to do then

People don't love biglaw but it's a solid entry level job

[speedtracer]

Make no mistake - I came to law school because I wanted a well-paying job. I have a degree in applied math but thought that my career prospects would be better in law. However, like I said, it seems like making a lot of money is meaningless if your life outside of work is mostly more work + sleep

[minnbills]

People do love biglaw. Because they want the status and the money.

[baal hadad]

Make no mistake - I came to law school because I wanted a well-paying job. I have a degree in applied math but thought that my career prospects would be better in law. However, like I said, it seems like making a lot of money is meaningless if your life outside of work is mostly more work + sleep

okay dude well what other entry level job can you get that pays you a lot to start

when you don't have any skills and don't know how to do shit

lemme know when you find it

all you have to offer is general intelligence and the ability to bill relentlessly

[speedtracer]

People do love biglaw. Because they want the status and the money.

I think this is what I'm getting to in my question. Are the only reasons they love it the status and the money? That overcomes the bad work environment and, more importantly, lack of free time?

[Pokemon]

Make no mistake - I came to law school because I wanted a well-paying job. I have a degree in applied math but thought that my career prospects would be better in law. However, like I said, it seems like making a lot of money is meaningless if your life outside of work is mostly more work + sleep

Biglaw and fedgov are the only well-paying jobs. That is why people go for them.

Also, almost universally, high wage = high stress; especially for 20 + year olds.

[Mal Reynolds]

People do love biglaw. Because they want the status and the money.

I think this is what I'm getting to in my question. Are the only reasons they love it the status and the money? That overcomes the bad work environment and, more importantly, lack of free time?

What well paying job do you intend to get without the stress or long hours?

[WokeUpInACar]

I look at biglaw as analogous to a residency for doctors. Horrendous hours, but something you have to endure to have a decent career.

[boozehound]

I'll give you $150k to sit your ass in that chair.
You gonna pass???
Do you have that chance???
Believe me, if you ever get that chance....you'll take it!

[minnbills]

People do love biglaw. Because they want the status and the money.

I think this is what I'm getting to in my question. Are the only reasons they love it the status and the money? That overcomes the bad work environment and, more importantly, lack of free time?

Biglaw is a nice segway into an in-house job, and sometimes other law firms.

Also, don't believe that big firms always work you to death or aren't pleasant places to work. People love to talk that up, but it's not true of every firm.

There are better legal jobs. The "best" law firm in my state is a small shop with maybe 6 lawyers. I don't think they've hired anyone in a decade for an attorney position though. Their client roster is unbelievable.

The biggest drawback to a big firm (and take this with a grain of salt, because it is just my opinion) is that you aren't likely to spend much time getting clients and, if you're a litigator, going to court. It is really easy to be nudged out of a big firm after 4 or 5 years and not have options.

[minnbills]

Biglaw and fedgov are the only well-paying jobs. That is why people go for them.

This is not true. You can make a lot of money within a few years of graduation if you go in-house or compliance, or make a switch to another (but maybe semi-related) field. For example, my aunt is in compliance and makes 200-300k depending on the company's performance and she never works more than 50 hours a week.

Another recent grad I know went into commercial real estate and is making six figures.

[sparty99]

Biglaw and fedgov are the only well-paying jobs. That is why people go for them.

This is not true. You can make a lot of money within a few years of graduation if you go in-house or compliance, or make a switch to another (but maybe semi-related) field. For example, my aunt is in compliance and makes 200-300k depending on the company's performance and she never works more than 50 hours a week.

Another recent grad I know went into commercial real estate and is making six figures.

How do I get into commercial real estate? What are some firms? My legal job search is dead.

[minnbills]

How do I get into commercial real estate? What are some firms? My legal job search is dead.

He's a salesman. Does maybe two sales a year but makes a lot on commission.

There are a lot of companies that do commercial leasing that a JD could plausibly try for.

[JCougar]

I have a degree in applied math but thought that my career prospects would be better in law.

lol

[03152016]

My legal job search is dead.

i thought u said u had a jerb

[JCougar]

People do love biglaw. Because they want the status and the money.

I think this is what I'm getting to in my question. Are the only reasons they love it the status and the money? That overcomes the bad work environment and, more importantly, lack of free time?

What well paying job do you intend to get without the stress or long hours?

I know people with these kinds of jobs. They have advanced degrees in shit like science and engineering. Work 40-50 hours a week, make six figures by the time they were 30, little to no college debt, stay at home wife handles the kids, they come home to a fresh meal, etc.

I was really good at that shit too. Why the fuck did I ruin my life by choosing law?

[Mal Reynolds]

You can't go back?

[sparty99]

My legal job search is dead.

i thought u said u had a jerb

I do.

[Holly Golightly]

Biglaw is so not the only decent paying job. It's just less of a crapshoot if you can get an offer through OCI.

[boozehound]

People do love biglaw. Because they want the status and the money.

I think this is what I'm getting to in my question. Are the only reasons they love it the status and the money? That overcomes the bad work environment and, more importantly, lack of free time?

What well paying job do you intend to get without the stress or long hours?

I know people with these kinds of jobs. They have advanced degrees in shit like science and engineering. Work 40-50 hours a week, make six figures by the time they were 30, little to no college debt, stay at home wife handles the kids, they come home to a fresh meal, etc.

I was really good at that shit too. Why the fuck did I ruin my life by choosing law?

What are you talking about? I have a PhD in engineering and made jackshit with a f'ing sword hanging over my head all day long. Law is the best decision I ever made. Bench work totally SUCKS!!! Half your effort will go in the trash. Law, by contrast, is solid money. Yummy good!

[JCougar]

You can't go back?

I switched my major in undergrad. It's too late...I'd have to go back and get another BS.

[03152016]

wait op ur the guy from that harvard vs uf thread
i don't get it

u want to practice in florida, don't want biglaw, and apparently love uf enough to turn down harvard even when uf wouldn't up your scholly
why are you relitigating the whole thing now that u got into stanford?
would your rationale for attending rly be that much different?
or r u just trying to tell everyone u got h/s?

[baal hadad]

wait op ur the guy from that harvard vs uf thread
i don't get it

u want to practice in florida, don't want biglaw, and apparently love uf enough to turn down harvard even when uf wouldn't up your scholly
why are you relitigating the whole thing now that u got into stanford?
would your rationale for attending rly be that much different?
or r u just trying to tell everyone u got h/s?

Some sorta IP interest