Life after Big Law Forum

[Real Madrid]

There's a lot of talk about Big Law on these forums and the lifestyle it comes with. But I can't find a lot of info on life after Big Law. What usually happens to those 80+% associates who don't make partner?

Also, if people were making, say, 240k after 5ish years and get pushed out or leave voluntarily, what are the chances they'll ever make it back to a salary in the Big Law range, and when (if ever) will it happen?

[schooner]

...

[admisionquestion]

Hmm,

So I know graduates enter an almost entirely bi-modal market with peaks at 160 and something like 50,000. The 160 peak being fairly firm and the 50,000 being much more spread out between 70,00 and unemployed.

So, what sort of wages are typical for people if they can't handle big law. So lets say, they make big law and practice for 3 years before dropping. Are they stuck with 50,000 shit law or do they then become ideal recruits for boutiques and decently paid in-house etc.

[thesealocust]

A large number of jobs people leave big firms for (federal government, other firms, inhouse counsel) have competitive pay packages (probably in the low 6-figures) but are a paycut. My guess is people don't wind up forced into jobs that pay a quarter of what they used to be making, though I'm sure some voluntarily leave the legal field or jump to public interest work that would put them in that pay bracket.

[InLikeFlint]

Hmm,

So I know graduates enter an almost entirely bi-modal market with peaks at 160 and something like 50,000. The 160 peak being fairly firm and the 50,000 being much more spread out between 70,00 and unemployed.

So, what sort of wages are typical for people if they can't handle big law. So lets say, they make big law and practice for 3 years before dropping. Are they stuck with 50,000 shit law or do they then become ideal recruits for boutiques and decently paid in-house etc.

I think the bi-modal distribution is for first-year attorneys. Salaries five to ten years out should be much more varied.

[admisionquestion]

A large number of jobs people leave big firms for (federal government, other firms, inhouse counsel) have competitive pay packages (probably in the low 6-figures) but are a paycut. My guess is people don't wind up forced into jobs that pay a quarter of what they used to be making, though I'm sure some voluntarily leave the legal field or jump to public interest work that would put them in that pay bracket.

I believe this could be true, but can you (or anyone) point me in the direction of data to confirm that?

[Doritos]

A large number of jobs people leave big firms for (federal government, other firms, inhouse counsel) have competitive pay packages (probably in the low 6-figures) but are a paycut. My guess is people don't wind up forced into jobs that pay a quarter of what they used to be making, though I'm sure some voluntarily leave the legal field or jump to public interest work that would put them in that pay bracket.

thesealocust is always right.

http://www.bcgsearch.com/article/60630/ ... Fair-Deal/

http://www.insidecounsel.com/2011/02/01 ... ary-report

[admisionquestion]

Thanks a ton. TLS is the best community evah...

[CanadianWolf]

A potential weakness of an unemployed biglaw associate is the inability to bring in clients. Another weakness might be inexperience in handling most or all aspects of an entire case.
Biglaw associates that last only a few years enjoy high earnings at the expense of building their own business thus, if unable to attain employment in another large law firm, might be tempted to leave the profession if the thought of starting from scratch seems overwhelming.