Small Law Associate Taking Questions
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 9:22 am
I recognize that this website is dedicated to top law schools and in particular lawyers who ultimately practice at top law firms or in similar high level places. However, based on the vale of tears, I wanted to offer up my experiences as a lawyer in a small firm and also as a state court clerk. I'll fill in a few details:
I graduated from a good (private, non-ivy) undergraduate with middling grades. I went to a regional T2 with a decent reputation - they own a modest market on the east coast. It is a good location for me, but I would only recommend it for those who would want to live near there (within about 60 miles). I also live in/near a major metro area which has several other law schools.
I graduated about top 1/3. I am on IBR and definitely paid too much. However, with some reasonable budgeting, I don't live in squalor. I was unemployed at graduation, but found a clerkship while studying for the bar.
As a side note - take the cheapest bar prep unless you're not paying for it. People on this site tend to be self-starters, so results will probably be positive. No guarantees though.
Another note - I worked for a solo during law school. I also interned for a major burb's legal department. Here again, if you're a T2 student or similar and without an SA, I recommend this highly. Experience, regardless of the ultimate job prospects, is very helpful. Coming into my job now, knowing how to draft discovery, complaints, answers, etc, was immensely helpful, not just for the interview, but as I started my job. I also knew how to bill hours.
I clerked for a state judge. It was an excellent experience and led to my job. I can unquestionable recommend that those who are in a jobless position should highly consider it. Particularly if you're a T2 grad (or lower). YMMV - my judge was an excellent person to work for and that is perhaps the most important part of finding a clerkship.
My clerkship led to me meeting not just a variety of lawyers, but people and judges who ultimately helped me network into a job. Networking isn't merely going to bar association events and trying to get coffee with lawyers. I have what I would consider a positive personality and so I would frequently take time as I was going around the courthouse to offhandedly chat with anyone - from court personnel to a judge I wasn't familiar with. One such judge made a contact for me with the lawyer I work for now.
I work in a small law office with 3 other attorneys. 2 partners, an of counsel (e.g. non-partner track, but experienced associate) and me, the associate. My practice is about 50% transactional with a focus on local government, land use, etc. I do about 40% litigation which is also government related (the of counsel and I are the litigators), but we do take on the occasional Plaintiff's case. I do about 10% criminal, which is really just covering small criminal matters. I have no desire to be a criminal lawyer, but it is the most frequent cause of any court appearance I make. I really enjoy my office and my work. It is both substantive and interesting. There is tedious work, but all jobs have this.
My salary is firmly entrenched on the lower level of the bi-modal salary curve. However, I am near the top of that lower level. I work 50-55 hours a week, but working for a small firm gives me significant control over my schedule. I usually just work 8-6 with the occasional saturday - but sometimes I just work from home. My hour requirement is incredibly reasonable and less than almost every large firm I've encountered and there is no BS about that number. There is a reasonable bonus structure and I also work to bring business into the firm, which bolsters my salary.
My results aren't typical. I would disagree that attending a T2 only gives you an extremely limited shot at practicing law. the majority of my class practices (more than 50%). Most probably make less than me. Most probably work more than me. Most probably hate their bosses. Most probably won't be practicing law in another 5 years (who knows if I will). Most definitely can't service their debt. I don't do ID, but several of my law school friends do now. It is a decent place to start a career, particularly from a T2.
I never went to law school to do international criminal law or corporate law. I worked for an insurance company before LS and that is what drove me to go. I generally hated law school, but I generally enjoy the practice. I'm in a practice now which fits both my personality and my skills. Results can be HIGHLY variable here, particularly when you can't be picky.
So ask away. Most lawyers in the country work in solo and small firms and so the experience varies wildly from what's discussed on this site. I recognize that many (maybe most?) will work for large firms and this info will be unimportant to you. For those that are heading or would prefer a small firm though, feel free to ask.
I graduated from a good (private, non-ivy) undergraduate with middling grades. I went to a regional T2 with a decent reputation - they own a modest market on the east coast. It is a good location for me, but I would only recommend it for those who would want to live near there (within about 60 miles). I also live in/near a major metro area which has several other law schools.
I graduated about top 1/3. I am on IBR and definitely paid too much. However, with some reasonable budgeting, I don't live in squalor. I was unemployed at graduation, but found a clerkship while studying for the bar.
As a side note - take the cheapest bar prep unless you're not paying for it. People on this site tend to be self-starters, so results will probably be positive. No guarantees though.
Another note - I worked for a solo during law school. I also interned for a major burb's legal department. Here again, if you're a T2 student or similar and without an SA, I recommend this highly. Experience, regardless of the ultimate job prospects, is very helpful. Coming into my job now, knowing how to draft discovery, complaints, answers, etc, was immensely helpful, not just for the interview, but as I started my job. I also knew how to bill hours.
I clerked for a state judge. It was an excellent experience and led to my job. I can unquestionable recommend that those who are in a jobless position should highly consider it. Particularly if you're a T2 grad (or lower). YMMV - my judge was an excellent person to work for and that is perhaps the most important part of finding a clerkship.
My clerkship led to me meeting not just a variety of lawyers, but people and judges who ultimately helped me network into a job. Networking isn't merely going to bar association events and trying to get coffee with lawyers. I have what I would consider a positive personality and so I would frequently take time as I was going around the courthouse to offhandedly chat with anyone - from court personnel to a judge I wasn't familiar with. One such judge made a contact for me with the lawyer I work for now.
I work in a small law office with 3 other attorneys. 2 partners, an of counsel (e.g. non-partner track, but experienced associate) and me, the associate. My practice is about 50% transactional with a focus on local government, land use, etc. I do about 40% litigation which is also government related (the of counsel and I are the litigators), but we do take on the occasional Plaintiff's case. I do about 10% criminal, which is really just covering small criminal matters. I have no desire to be a criminal lawyer, but it is the most frequent cause of any court appearance I make. I really enjoy my office and my work. It is both substantive and interesting. There is tedious work, but all jobs have this.
My salary is firmly entrenched on the lower level of the bi-modal salary curve. However, I am near the top of that lower level. I work 50-55 hours a week, but working for a small firm gives me significant control over my schedule. I usually just work 8-6 with the occasional saturday - but sometimes I just work from home. My hour requirement is incredibly reasonable and less than almost every large firm I've encountered and there is no BS about that number. There is a reasonable bonus structure and I also work to bring business into the firm, which bolsters my salary.
My results aren't typical. I would disagree that attending a T2 only gives you an extremely limited shot at practicing law. the majority of my class practices (more than 50%). Most probably make less than me. Most probably work more than me. Most probably hate their bosses. Most probably won't be practicing law in another 5 years (who knows if I will). Most definitely can't service their debt. I don't do ID, but several of my law school friends do now. It is a decent place to start a career, particularly from a T2.
I never went to law school to do international criminal law or corporate law. I worked for an insurance company before LS and that is what drove me to go. I generally hated law school, but I generally enjoy the practice. I'm in a practice now which fits both my personality and my skills. Results can be HIGHLY variable here, particularly when you can't be picky.
So ask away. Most lawyers in the country work in solo and small firms and so the experience varies wildly from what's discussed on this site. I recognize that many (maybe most?) will work for large firms and this info will be unimportant to you. For those that are heading or would prefer a small firm though, feel free to ask.
