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Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 4:22 pm
by 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?
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 4:38 pm
by HYPSM
jstanhope14 wrote: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.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 5:25 pm
by 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.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 5:54 pm
by zot1
jstanhope14 wrote: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.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:03 pm
by bk1
No.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2016 7:01 pm
by Pomeranian
One should go into big law with the assumption of lasting at most 3-4 years before being pushed out or burning out...
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 6:45 pm
by jbagelboy
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 7:04 pm
by Blackfish
on balance, you can, in balance, survive.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:09 pm
by konoha
In patent law, I notice plenty of attorneys in prosecution with registration numbers 40-60k labeled associates.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2016 2:51 pm
by 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.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2016 2:44 am
by DreamShake
jstanhope14 wrote: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.
Re: Anyone can survive BigLaw?
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2016 4:20 pm
by Abbie Doobie
Blackfish wrote:on balance, you can, in balance, survive.
except for the kirkland associate in the video that said that. she died