Lawyers Seeking High-Pressure, Rewarding Work
Legal professionals, particularly those with corporate law backgrounds, are struggling with a disconnect between their desire for challenging, high-stakes work and the realities of their current roles. Many find in-house positions or less demanding firm roles lacking in stimulation, financial reward, and the sense of accomplishment they previously experienced, leading to dissatisfaction and career exploration. This isn't solely about money, but about a need for a high-performance environment.
SOURCES (60)
“The salary increases can be nuts, and big firms tend to be more of a meritocracy once you get to experienced manager than compared to many roles in industry. Prior to experienced manager your opportunity is more dictated by assignment than your skill. If you…”
“I enter the world of this forum next week. I summered at the same firm both 1L and 2L. Nonetheless, what advice would current you give to yourself when you first started? submitted by /u/SeaLimp1257 [link] [comments]”
“I work in house at a PE firm on the finance team and rub elbows with a lot of attorneys when investors are structuring deals (generating waterfalls to prove out proposed LLCA verbiage) and I also work alongside them to maintain hygiene of our portfolio’s profits interests (which somehow often get botched by BODs and somehow it’s my responsibility to clean up). Of course I could ask attys I work with but curious whether there are ever “finance folks” on staff at big law firms for advisory purpose”
“My firm asked us to become involved in recruiting alums from our schools. Personally, this seems like an additional ask on top of long work hours. However, if the firm notes things like this, I’m happy to do it. Any thoughts? submitted by /u/Warm-Sprinkles-8086 [link] [comments]”
“I am currently preparing for BigLaw interviews and have submitted several applications. Associate Position. Entry level. My primary areas of interest are public M&A, cross border M&A, and corporate governance. And when I submit my application , they always ask to include "Area of Interest." I like M and A so much. I have been reading extensively in these areas, including merger agreements, Delaware cases, and other M&A materials. For those currently working in M&A, what”
“I’m considering leaving my v10 firm for a fully remote mid/big law firm paying 190k, 1850 billable requirement. For those of you who work at a similar firm, what are the downsides to being fully remote that I might not be thinking of (aside from pay cut)? I am a second year in litigation; around 2400 hours per year; no real complaints about my firm but I just think remote may be preferable especially due to a familial caregiving situation. submitted by /u/Wook_Card_619 [link] [”
“Hey all, I’ll be starting my own firm here in Florida shortly, and as I work through my compliance checklist, I wanted to get some input from other practitioners. For those of you operating as small or solo firms, did you choose to structure your entity as a P.A. or a PLLC? I know there are a lot of similarities between the two, but I’d be interested to hear about any specific advantages, drawbacks, or considerations that influenced your decision. Any tips or recommendations from fellow sole pra”
“I was placed in a corporate practice group due to business need, but have always been a litigation person. I feel like I’ve tried everything to get myself back into litigation (asking for an internal transfer, applying elsewhere, contacting recruiters, contacting partners elsewhere) but none of these have come to fruition. It seems like no big law litigation groups are looking for someone as junior as me (rising 2nd year in corporate, so I’d essentially be a “new” lit associate). I really just w”
“I have a transactional practice. Currently very senior at a amlaw 50 (practicing well over a decade, currently off partner track at my firm by choice and have a nice comp arrangement and hours arrangement). A transactional boutique has made me this offer to join as a partner: 2026: $435k base (prorated); Nonproated bonus of $150k in December 2027: $435k base; $265k guaranteed bonus at year end (not subject to hitting hours target); Plus an equity grant which will hopefully be worth about $2mm in”
“Has anyone dealt with a Private Equity MSO buying their firm & if so how did this affect the associates as well staff paralegals/legal assistants? submitted by /u/MarieMarie2022 [link] [comments]”
“Small firm here. Running the numbers on an associate raise this month and it forced me to look hard at our staffing model, and I came out of it less sure than I went in. The traditional pitch for support staff was leverage. You pay a paralegal $60k, they handle intake, document assembly, calendaring, discovery organization, cite-checking - all the stuff that would otherwise eat associate hours you're billing at $250+. The math was obvious. A lot of that math has changed. Document assembly is”
“I recently joined a new firm as a 2nd year associate at a smaller office of a Midwest AmLaw200 firm and essentially filled the vacancy left by an associate of my same year. They worked with the exact partners I do, and does all of my same tasks based on what I see in the database. It has been 6 months now and I’ve gotten familiar with the practice group of 6 people …. And the less endearing traits and practices of partners… essentially grinding culture but make it look easy, so don’t bill too mu”
“Hi all, I'm a 4th year midlevel in lit and regulatory. Hate my current firm because of backstabbing and politics among associates, as well as getting no mentorship from senior lawyers despite good reviews. I also suspect my firm PIPs people around my year. Anyway I'm weighing two options now: One is biglaw in my desired regulatory practice area with some very interesting work, but it's in a different state/timezone than my spouse, so to make this work I will need to live 5+ hrs apart”
“I left big law in a HCOL city and am applying to immigration firms. I’ve already come to terms with taking a huge pay cut, but can anyone shed light on what kind of negotiations are acceptable? The posted salary range at one firm I’m looking at is $85-$100k. Would it be okay to ask for a sign-on bonus? And how do I calculate a reasonable number? submitted by /u/crochetthrowaway17 [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone! I’m hoping my question can garner some insight, especially since this community is primarily made up of attorneys. I have an upcoming interview for a Business Development & Marketing role at a BigLaw firm. A significant portion of the position involves writing proposals, RFPs, press releases, and other marketing/business development materials. My previous role was in surgical care- very writing-and detail-oriented, so I have a strong foundation in those areas. However, I do n”
“My background in quantitative research in finance. I work in one of the largest financial organization. I am looking for attorney to file EB1-A. So far, most of the attornies I have talked to have tech EB1-A experience. Any recommendation is appreciated. submitted by /u/aporochito [link] [comments]”
“From Every Year After - about 55 hours of billable work for 365 days? submitted by /u/Elle3444 [link] [comments]”
“I will try to keep this brief. I'm a mid-level attorney who has predominantly worked in civil litigation. Recently, I began working at a transactional firm (wanted to see if I might prefer this to litigation work). This is a remote firm that practices across the US without limitation. This is where the UPL issue comes in. The firm is small and the licensure of the handful of attorneys only covered probably about 20ish states. Despite this, the firm regularly signs engagement letters with cli”
“Anyone else wish they could stay doing junior associate work indefinitely? I get some of the motivations here, but curious for people’s thoughts on why firm models have associates increase in substance and complexity of work (aside from the obvious increase in pay and proximity to partnership). submitted by /u/attractivenuisance8 [link] [comments]”
“For reasons I won’t get into in detail, I’m likely going to have to stay in biglaw for longer after a short pause. And tbh I like the work, just not the demands/need to be on 24/7 or feel like I have to drop everything after an urgent request. It is especially hard being a parent. And I’m not ready to go to in house. Any advice on how to set healthy boundaries to have time for my family and self (workout, friends, self-care, spouse, etc.)? And to make biglaw work longer term (I’m mid level and w”
“There’s this guy in my firm that started as an associate out of college in 2020 and just got promoted to a senior manager. This is a top 10 firm. submitted by /u/Constant_State_2272 [link] [comments]”
“5 years of litigation at Allahabad High Court — looking to transition into an in-house/corporate legal role (data privacy & labor law). I have been trying everyday, applying through LinkedIn but I think these are just dead vacancies. Nobody even acknowledges when I apply at these places. One of them even started selling his course to me. I too tired and lost. A friend of mine introduced me to reddit (he got his job through some referral he got on reddit). I am here just to try out my luck. I”
“I have been working for a couple of years at a law office as a litigation paralegal and about six months ago I was pulled out of the satellite office where I work and handed a team in our main office, managing attorneys and more than 40 cases. Previous to that change, I was paid about average for my experience level as a paralegal. The team that I am leading requires that I manage cases from beginning to end, drive the litigation and manage the various team members who complete portions of the l”
“Currently making just over 100k. I have an opportunity to do the same work at other firm for maybe 150-180k. Exact same type of work, just for a bigger company with more going on. I like where I’m at, the company might be going places and it’s cutting edge tech, the new job would be more of a sure thing and it’s well established. My manager is great, my team is great but it’s small and I’m on my own a lot. With the new place I’d be on a small team of peers, so more of a chance to bounce ideas of”
“I spent a year in a Big 4 as manager after 12 years in various other firms. I could not get out fast enough. Big 4 firms are definitely not for everyone. The people that worked in my team that were there for years and the only career job they ever had were all brain washed. I left after a year after the partner said I was over paid. Now I'm making a lot more in industry and my team is way better. My work life balance is great now too.”
“Yea CLA pay sucks. CLA uses just the term Principal for everyone so you can never tell who has equity and who doesn’t. In reality basically all of the younger/new Principals are non-equity and it’s not a Partner equivalent role at all, it’s more equivalent to a Senior Manager role. The title is just a way to make you in charge of signing for clients, so basically giving you partner level responsibility without partner pay… but holding out the carrot that you’re on a path to getting equity eventu”
“Does anyone happen to know what MoloLamken and Hecker Fink’s clerkship bonus rate is for associates who have done 1 or 2 federal clerkships? submitted by /u/HLSPPE112 [link] [comments]”
“I am a senior associate going for partner. Last year, i got lunch with the executive partner (also our practice group leader) and practice group director (non lawyer but ensures we are profitable, etc,) on the promotions process. At that lunch they told me there is an avenue for me because I have experience in a state where we are thin and the other partners in that state are near retirement. Fast forward to this year, i got my four “sponsors” the executive shareholder, managing partner of one o”
“I am an attorney at a large law firm, but on the staff side in risk management (think conflicts attorneys, compliance attorneys, contract review, etc type of role). I am paid well enough for what I do and am good at it, but the need for constant availability to partners, volume of work, and the speed at which I need to work everyday just gets me down. I feel like I work 24-7 but am going no where in my career, even though I am paid OK for what I do. I worked in commercial litigation before this”
“Are you confusing the terms partner and director here? It’s basically the opposite.”
“Big firm - absolutely not. They're just bonafide employees at the end of the day. Sure the paychecks are fat, but at what cost? You don't really own much of anything. Some people appreciate the stability I suppose. Small firm or solo firm - absolutely. But it is riskier. I am in tax, so others may disagree, but the dream is build up a book in the niche of your liking and get some choice in who you work with client wise while also winning some of your own time back in the off-season. Not”
“Maybe not an equity partner as is quite restricting. Director yeah, less work, more chatting, more pay.”
“I'm interested in whether this career path is still attractive to people. It used to be that people said this was what they wanted when they started training, but I don't think that's the case so much now. If you do, what attracts you? And what gets in the way? submitted by /u/Commercial_Rope_5711 [link] [comments]”
“After an approximately 6-year stint in government, I’m headed back to biglaw in about a month to be a partner at a V50 law firm, litigation-related practice area. Before government, I was an associate at a different biglaw firm. Partners: What do you wish you had done differently or better understood when starting out as a partner? I am not bringing any definite clients with me, but I have a few former colleagues, classmates, and connections that I’m hoping to develop. Any advice on how to best”
“Username checks out. Thanks for responding. I'm worried they are going to want to attach strings + certain number of years to work there if they fund it, which is not the end of the world, but it is limiting if life changes.”
“Going round in circles on this, would appreciate outside views. Background: M39, single, no kids. RE lawyer, ~10 years PQE. Qualified in Australia and England, currently in-house at a large global real estate developer in London. Most of my experience is UK/Europe/Australia - maybe 10% US. Option A: in-house promotion, Move to Houston. Step up to Associate GC. Base in the mid-$300s plus meaningful bonus and long-term incentive, and no state income tax. L-1A visa with a realistic green card path.”
“I have an offer at one of the large banks - $700k all-in. I’d be an advisor in my specialty area in their private bank. Seems interesting (although I have no idea if I’ll like it), and the pay is nice, but I’m just concerned how I will feel not practicing law. I know that’s a personal question, but I’m trying to get a sense how others felt who left for a non-legal role. Some of my friends think I’m crazy if I don’t give the job a try. But if work/life balance is what I’m after, the alternative i”
“Dear all, for those who have quit with nothing lined up and have taken an actual break.. what did you do? Did you go back to biglaw at all? submitted by /u/Prestigious_Wrap4788 [link] [comments]”
“I am looking for a career advice, this isnt a job post. Pleasw point me to right direction if this isn't the right forum.”
“I’m a midlevel who is beyond burnt out. I’m trying with all my might to stay until bonus but it’s looking less likely each day. I’m looking for in house roles to see if it’s the legal field entirely I hate or just big law. Any tips for finding in house roles and figuring out what WLB actually looks like at such roles? I’m in a large city with plenty of opportunities - just want to find the right one. I’ve done PE M&A all four years of big law but am willing to pivot if it means less insanity”
“Thank you! I agree title varies alot. And most people at the current small PE firm I'm at have inflated titles I believe. Like my VP is still detail reviewing corporate books monthly and rarely do any team or organization strategic work, only funds and investors stuffs. I absolutely don't want to be like my VP.”
“Does anyone have any insight into what it would be like to go in house at an investment bank? Role would be working as counsel for investment banking and capital markets. I’m wondering about work life balance, pay, and just generally what the role is like. Also how this might differ for a middle-market or bulge bracket firm? Essentially, I really just want a better work life balance. Willing to take a decently big pay cut if that means I work more of a 9-5, but thats probably wishful thinking. A”
“First year in litigation with a bit of ennui wondering if there are any clerkship or fellowship type positions abroad that could allow me to live abroad for a bit and actually help my career long term. Pay is not really an issue (especially if big law remains an option down the road), as I have some savings and little debt. I imagine the answer is no or everyone would do it, especially considering I only speak English. But I am curious if anyone has experience or answers. submitted by  ”
“Senior associate here with no kids, considering divorce. Wife’s in biglaw too. I have a lawyer ready to handle the legal side but I’m curious about the practical experience from others who have gone through this while in BigLaw. How did you actually initiate the separation? Did you have the conversation and move out immediately, or was there an awkward interim period living together? How did you manage moving/finding housing while dealing with constant work demands? On the work side, did you tel”
I am a litigation lawyer and lately have had some free time on my hands lately becuase I changed jobs and its not as demanding. I post here because the younger crowd…
“Sounds like a low cost area. Look in to a small firm wheee you could come in as a partner/director.”
“When you say “the greed”, do you mean the culture of the firms you’ve worked in, the pressure to maximise fees/billables, the types of clients you serve, or something broader about the legal industry?”
“Got it. That is a good living. When you said richest clients, my mind started thinking these mfers are pulling down 8 figure incomes.”
“In corporate and haven’t enjoyed it. I imagine all of big law is painful, but can people in litigation describe their daily tasks? Is it mostly analyzing case law and statutes, conducting discovery, writing briefs? What is litigation like? submitted by /u/juanberg24 [link] [comments]”
“I’m at a firm with rotations and am on the transactional side. Recently finished a rotation in real estate and didn’t love it - very technical and wasn’t interested in the work. I think I would more so enjoy work with a counseling/advisory component that isn’t overly technical and is more people oriented. Any advice? Is big law just not for me? It’s painful being in charge of signing and closing checklists and having to put together financing documents. I’ve wondered about exec comp but pause in”
“I’m tapped out at my firm. Beginning to actively pursue lateral and in-house opportunities. But on pace for bonus and won’t be devastated to cash that check in February before heading out either. Any advice to throttling down and coasting until I land somewhere else? I hate most people and matters I am working on, so no hard feelings there, but on some active stuff that won’t be as easy to stiff arm. Is it as simple as just delaying response times and being too busy to handle things? submi”
“Junior associate, free market, I feel like I spend a lot of time justifying my lack of capacity and saying no to deals. Do assignment coordinators make this better? Or is the grass just greener. I definitely see the perk that I never am assigned to deals I dislike and can often avoid people i dislike, but not sure if assignment coordinators honor these preferences anyways. Thinking of trying to convince my group to get an assignment coordinator but idk if I’ll regret it submitted by”
“Hi! I'm an incoming 1L at a t6 and I was connected to a partner who kindly agreed to a coffee in a couple of days. This is my first time coffee chatting with someone working in Biglaw and I had a few questions: What are some good questions and questions I should avoid asking? How direct should I be about my intention of going into Biglaw and wishing to have their support during recruiting? We're actually not meeting at a cafe but just a relaxing place. Should I bring them coffee or offer”