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Many, probably most, are advised to seek employment elsewhere after 3 to 5 years. Few make equity partner & few become non-equity partners in biglaw firms in today's market.

PJam1989 wrote:1. Do people get promoted strictly on merit? I work in law enforcement now. While many people do get promoted based upon their work ethic, I would say a slight majority (55%) get promoted and even hired based who "Who you know, and who you blow." Is BigLaw the same?

2. I always see these posts stating that if you don't get promoted to partner in BigLaw within a certain amount of time then you will be driven out. I don't understand this. Does that mean they fire you? Do they ask you to leave? Or do they tell you that your not on partner track, thus making you want to leave because there is no room for growth.

1. Politics play a role in any human organization. Merit is in the eye of the beholder.

2. That's starting to become less true. But basically, there are phaseouts at all levels. Every year you have an annual review and every year there is a chance that review is going to be one where they give you the long goodbye. Depends on the firm, but you generally are given some time to transition. More often, people become miserable because of the hours, pressure, or nature of the work and leave on their own accord. If you actually make it to your partner year, you will probably be able to stay on as long as you want- though potentially as counsel or non-equity partner.