Anyone can survive BigLaw? Forum

[jstanhope14]

Hey ya'll,

Simple question here. Can any (or nearly any) biglaw associate last until year 6-7 assuming they do not burn out and do not want to quit the job. In other words, if someone is putting in the hours and doing average quality work, will the firm keep them around for the entirety of the lockstep salary scale, then give them the boot at the end of year 7 or so?

[HYPSM]

Hey ya'll,

Simple question here. Can any (or nearly any) biglaw associate last until year 6-7 assuming they do not burn out and do not want to quit the job. In other words, if someone is putting in the hours and doing average quality work, will the firm keep them around for the entirety of the lockstep salary scale, then give them the boot at the end of year 7 or so?

The vast, vast majority of people will not make it to year 7, especially with average work. Think 2-3 years, maybe less.

[trebekismyhero]

As HYPSM stated, the majority of associates last closer to 3 years. But yeah there are plenty of associates that last 6-7 years or longer. As long as the economy is good and an associate is making their hours a firm isn't going to push out senior associates. Senior associates are the ones that are most profitable for big law firms.

[zot1]

Hey ya'll,

Simple question here. Can any (or nearly any) biglaw associate last until year 6-7 assuming they do not burn out and do not want to quit the job. In other words, if someone is putting in the hours and doing average quality work, will the firm keep them around for the entirety of the lockstep salary scale, then give them the boot at the end of year 7 or so?

That's a lot to assume.

[bk1]

No.

[Pomeranian]

One should go into big law with the assumption of lasting at most 3-4 years before being pushed out or burning out...

[jbagelboy]

No.

[Blackfish]

on balance, you can, in balance, survive.

[konoha]

In patent law, I notice plenty of attorneys in prosecution with registration numbers 40-60k labeled associates.

[Tiago Splitter]

You might have to switch firms once or twice but I actually think 6-7 years is reasonable if the economy doesn't take a nose dive and you can put up with the misery for that long.

That said, please for the love of God do not make law school decisions based on the assumption that you will be in biglaw for 7 years.

[DreamShake]

Hey ya'll,

Simple question here. Can any (or nearly any) biglaw associate last until year 6-7 assuming they do not burn out and do not want to quit the job. In other words, if someone is putting in the hours and doing average quality work, will the firm keep them around for the entirety of the lockstep salary scale, then give them the boot at the end of year 7 or so?

i guess you're basically asking if everybody who starts in biglaw has the aptitude to hang around for 6-7 years assuming they don't burn out. if you survey the legal employment forum threads, i think you'll find that the answer is pretty clearly no. some people just aren't intellectually or temperamentally fit for the job.

also, assuming away the biggest factor for attrition seems silly.

[Abbie Doobie]

on balance, you can, in balance, survive.

except for the kirkland associate in the video that said that. she died