Lateral: BigLaw to Boutique -- Any Regrets? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have received an offer to lateral from a respected big law firm (to the extent it matters, V50) a non-Susman, Cravath-paying boutique. I am excited for the opportunity but also realize that it's somewhat riskier (i.e., more pressure, less likely to have time to transition if I flame out). Has anyone taken a similar offer and regretted it? Alternatively, are there any pros I am missing outside of the greater substantive experience? I have read the other threads so please do not link them.

[Anonymous User]

Besides the physical assault, verbal abuse, people crying in their offices and multiple instances of sexual harassment that I observed in a boutique I learned a lot....

Be very careful. There is no HR. Talk to alumni before accepting.

[Anonymous User]

Besides the physical assault, verbal abuse, people crying in their offices and multiple instances of sexual harassment that I observed in a boutique I learned a lot....

Be very careful. There is no HR. Talk to alumni before accepting.

Forgot, one instance of a partner showing porn to an associate during a conference call, don’t worry the associate was fired after reporting it.

[Anonymous User]

I’m at a boutique where a lot of biglaw associates lateral after 2-3 years. My experience is nothing like above. And that doesn’t sound like any of the more respectable boutiques in DC. My firm has a robust HR department (5 or so people).

I regret moving to my boutique though. My boutique promised more humane hours, but that hasn’t been the case. I have a partner I work with who has me working around the clock, 7 days a week, etc.

Also, relatedly, it’s harder to dodge people you don’t like at a boutique. I have no choice but to work with the partner above. I hate the partner but I rely on them for work, so it’s a lose-lose situation.

I’m not in a litigation boutique so I can’t comment on substance.

[Anonymous User]

Besides the physical assault, verbal abuse, people crying in their offices and multiple instances of sexual harassment that I observed in a boutique I learned a lot....

Be very careful. There is no HR. Talk to alumni before accepting.

Forgot, one instance of a partner showing porn to an associate during a conference call, don’t worry the associate was fired after reporting it.

What type of boutique? What market? This sounds pretty miserable.

[Anonymous User]

I can’t out the firm. But it was in a major market, paid near Cravath scale, and was thought of as being elite in its field.

It’s a true boutique, like a dozen or so attorneys, not like a Susmen.

[patent_guy]

Besides the physical assault, verbal abuse, people crying in their offices and multiple instances of sexual harassment that I observed in a boutique I learned a lot....

Be very careful. There is no HR. Talk to alumni before accepting.

Forgot, one instance of a partner showing porn to an associate during a conference call, don’t worry the associate was fired after reporting it.

Not to mitigate how terrible this place sounds, but sounds like you unfortunately got into a situation with an (or multiple) asshole and this could be unrelated to the firm being a boutique...

[Anonymous User]

I've had both experiences at boutiques (I went from V15 --> boutique). The first boutique was utterly miserable, similar to the experiences described above. I left after a few months to another, similarly sized boutique and I'm really happy. Talk to alums was crucial.