Lawyers Seeking High-Pressure, Rewarding Work
137 posts across 17 communities in the last 30 days; 63% from r/biglaw.
“Not a lawyer, but quite a few of my coworkers are. The people who are most successful are the ones who can transition from their lawyer identity to being a great <insert job role>. [re: Anyone else who transitioned from corporate law to legal tech?]”
“Hi everyone, I'm a lawyer currently looking at Big Law opportunities in Luxembourg and I'm trying to get a realistic picture of compensation before starting conversations with firms. Does anyone have current salary ranges at the big international firms in Luxembourg (Magic…”
“Hello everyone, I am a lawyer and I hate it. I think I’m interested in supply chain but I’m not sure if my skills as a lawyer are transferable. I have a criminal defense and personal injury background. Can anyone provide any advice on how I can make the transition into this…”
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)
“appreciate the perspective, that actually helps a lot. i’m an accounting/finance student in nyc trying to land my first internship so if you don’t mind me asking, does your spouse’s firm recruit students pretty early? and is there anything you’d recommend i focus on to…”
“And how does it impact your experience working at a large law firm? submitted by /u/_jpizzle_bear [link] [comments]”
“What is the highest compensation package you have seen someone get? What was their practice area and after how many years? What was their position? submitted by /u/steakysteakmeatymeat [link] [comments]”
“Hey! Would love some perspective from yall as to whether having my consulting firm pay for law school makes sense. The firm can cover 2/3 years of law school, and then you owe them 2 years of service after, in the consulting practice. Ultimate goal is biglaw. How would this impact biglaw hiring? Is it an extremely bad look to re enter the market after 2 years? And I’d likely miss out on the summer -> full time pipeline too? I’m definitely leaning against it, and it’s pretty far out in the fut”
“Not a lawyer, but quite a few of my coworkers are. The people who are most successful are the ones who can transition from their lawyer identity to being a great <insert job role>. [re: Anyone else who transitioned from corporate law to legal tech?]”
“I am a non-equity partner in a big law firm in a mid-sized EU country. I am obviously working towards the next stage of my career which is becoming equity partner. I am billing a lot, manage a team of associates who work mostly on my clients, and have created a good book of business. I have a good salary + a bonus which is completely linked to my billable hours and realisation rates. The more client work I do myself and bill for myself, the more I earn as performance bonus at the end of”
“I sat in my office yesterday when the realization hit. I had accomplished what took me a decade of planning. I remember high school and college like it was yesterday. I obsessed over law-related internships and took two years off to work and study for the LSAT. I hated that damn test. But today I reflect back and thank 17-year-old me for his persistence and optimism. I started my job as a corporate lawyer at a top firm this week. I’d be happy to answer any questions you all have. My number one p”
“Mid level funds lawyer. Have been doing a bit of secondaries work over the last year and have an opportunity to pivot to a full time role at a top team. The industry is red hot and overall doesn’t seem as oversaturated as funds, but not sure if these deals are interesting enough to specialise in this area; primary fundraising feels a bit more varied. Any lawyers who have done a similar move? submitted by /u/traineethrowaway123 [link] [comments]”
“Location matters, but contractor vs employee status can swing the number alot too. [re: Working remotely from overseas for a NYC law firm — how much should I ask for?]”
“3-4 is not, unfortunately, 1-2 is more reasonable [re: Working remotely from overseas for a NYC law firm — how much should I ask for?]”
“Also do you think this depends on the chambers/vault ranking of the firm? Just curious. Thanks. submitted by /u/Realistic-Claim-3686 [link] [comments]”
“Leadership support matters. [re: Thoughts on leaving Big Law for a smaller firm?]”
“My opinion might be contrary to what everyone else is saying but I’d say switch to the smaller firm if your pay is the same. Big laws drain the life out of a person but I think at a smaller firm its more likely that your ideas will be heard and that everyone will probably be treated like equals there like what big law claims or tries to be [re: Thoughts on leaving Big Law for a smaller firm?]”
“Yeah that’s what excited me the most about it, it’s an opportunity to actually implement. [re: Thoughts on leaving Big Law for a smaller firm?]”
“I’m a 4th year at an Am Law 50 firm in NYC and gearing up to lateral to another large firm. I’d like to hear from people about the best way to get hired: I am in touch with a recruiter, but also have friends at many of the big firms, ranging from old law school acquaintances to close friends. Should I have friends or my recruiter submit me at those firms? On the one hand: The recruiter has a reputation with the hiring teams, which gives me credibility and helps my odds. Also, this person is putt”
“I’m a mid level at a large AmLaw100 firm. Thinking about my future options. Would you choose partnership in an insurance defense practice or a commercial lit job at a high-quality boutique? submitted by /u/lowaltitude_notes [link] [comments]”
“I’m a senior corporate associate in BigLaw, and my business development efforts have started turning into actual opportunities and significant fee-generating work in the millions. It’s made me think more seriously about where to build a practice. Some of the work coming through my relationships is a better fit for a firm with more flexibility on rates. I’m also trying to understand what’s realistic to expect in terms of origination credit, title, staffing and a path to partnership when you’re br”
“I’m a 3L, just passed the bar, please excuse my lack of experience. This is for a big law firm and I got the interview through networking. Just wondering what I should expect because, in the past, when I’ve interviewed for big law there’s been at least a couple of associates. submitted by /u/tbasset [link] [comments]”
“The in-house attorney ceiling feels pretty high for support work, but the local-market floor definitley makes sense. [re: Working remotely from overseas for a NYC law firm — how much should I ask for?]”
“Same as above. Looking at lateral to Houston firm with strong tax controversy practice. K&E, BB, V&E suggested. Would like to get the details if possible on WLB, culture, etc. submitted by /u/No_Piccolo_5403 [link] [comments]”
“I assume things are much more corporate and professional. Wondering do things also become more intense as in micromanaging and deadlines? submitted by /u/Opera-learner [link] [comments]”
“I’m a third year soon to be fourth year. I joined after a clerkship so I’ve only been at my firm for two years. I’m in lit and my firm is free market. First year at the firm I started off super slow, consequently my hours were kinda shit. This year, hours are fine. I’ve been busy for most of the year, but I did have an extended slow period after a case settled so hours for the whole year are good enough but not spectacular. Anyway, now I’m heading into my fourth year and I’m feeling like I don’t”
“Hi there! As I apply for jobs as a D4 and receive contracts, I also ask the owner if I can talk to a current associate. One of the jobs I am super interested in and am on the edge of signing the contract, I will be talking to a current associate who was also a new grad when she was hired and has been there for a couple years now. What are some good questions to ask her to give me a valuable perspective? TIA submitted by /u/Ambitious_Evidence67 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, I need help. I have offers from the following two firms: - Role: Tax Associate (Private Client Services). Top 25 firm, great pay, have wanted to do this exact industry, amazing team I would be with. - Role: Analyst (Audit, tax, Financial Statement Analysis, Business Valuation). Small firm (25 people), great team, great pay, would not like some of the work honestly but amazing people that give broad overview of accounting and finance. What should I be considering in my decision?  ”
“I’m a junior at a litigation boutique/biglaw type firm that has a healthy mix of clients. We have several cases that make headlines, but we also have volume clients that constantly give us low-value cases. I have been on both. I prefer working on the low value cases because I am effectively allowed to handle the case by myself with minimal supervision (1 year in and I have argued in court twice and did two depos by myself). But a lot of my colleagues avoid these cases like the plague because the”
“I’m an in-house attorney and started out as the first/only attorney at my company. We’ve grown to the point where I’ll soon be hiring another attorney, which means I’ll also be managing an attorney for the first time. I’ve managed paralegals in previous roles, but never another lawyer, so I’d love to hear from people who have been in a similar position. Any tips, books, articles, podcasts, etc. that helped you become a better manager? Also curious about anything you wish you’d known before you s”
“Hey! As the title suggests I’m wondering if any of you can speak to career progression when it comes to staying at one firm as opposed to hopping around multiple. What are the pros and cons to both? submitted by /u/gundubangaram [link] [comments]”
“In the opinion of NYC biglaw firms, does Cardozo have a bad reputation? I've heard a NYC biglaw partner say so. But I also have seen statistics that seem to show Cardozo does fine when it comes to biglaw hiring in NYC in the sense that Cardozo performs better than St. John's and even WashU. Also, I'm not sure if this would be informative to include, but if it is, I'm not Jewish. submitted by /u/BaseballBright5675 [link] [comments]”
“I forgot she wasn’t an attorney, I meant her role in the states [re: Working remotely from overseas for a NYC law firm — how much should I ask for?]”
“Can someone explain to me the background of the musical chairs going on here ? "Kirkland & Ellis is expected to bring back Paul Basta, the lawyer who left the firm nearly a decade ago to co-lead the restructuring practice at rival Paul Weiss, people familiar with the matter said." submitted by /u/No_Management_7261 [link] [comments]”
“New Jersey Firm I currently work at a medium law firm and have been there for about 3 years. I make around $70K. My job is honestly pretty easy/low stress, I know the people and the work, my hours are predictable, and management has been very flexible with me as a parent. The downside is that I’m starting to get complacent. I accepted an offer at another large law firm for $83K. The new position is 3 days WFH/2 days in office and offers tuition reimbursement. The work would likely be more challe”
“I have an opportunity from a smaller firm with a profit sharing comp structure. Total compensation is determined as 30-40% of what you collect from clients during a year. The bonus portion is anything that exceeds salary in that formula. However, if I leave, I need to repay the prior year's bonus and forfeit any bonus I accrued during the current year. For example, if my salary is $120k and I collect $500k from clients in a year, my bonus would be ~$55k. But if I leave in the following year,”
“All of my law partners have retired except one, and he’s out Jan 1. At that time I’ll be the sole owner of a busy small immigration/criminal firm with three associates. Another associate is joining us upon bar results in Spring ‘27. By force of the elderly nature of my law partners, our firm is far behind the times and has very few systems in place. Until now, each attorney has had to come up with their own ad hoc procedures. I’m working to put firm-wide systems in place once I am the only one w”
“Hi everyone, I'm a lawyer currently looking at Big Law opportunities in Luxembourg and I'm trying to get a realistic picture of compensation before starting conversations with firms. Does anyone have current salary ranges at the big international firms in Luxembourg (Magic Circle, US firms, and the large local players), from junior up to mid level associates? Ideally broken down by year of call (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, etc.). What are the typical gross annual salaries by seniority,”
“That range sounds reaosnable, especially since ET hours are a real concession from overseas. [re: Working remotely from overseas for a NYC law firm — how much should I ask for?]”
“I’m a midlevel associate at a AmLaw 100 and will be relocating to a smaller market for personal reasons. I have an offer from another comparable firm in the new city and am trying to decide whether to lateral or transfer to my current firm’s office there. My relationships at my current firm are generally good, and I expect to finish the year comfortably above my billable target. I work with several partners but wouldn’t say I’m anyone’s go-to associate. I’m particularly close with one senior par”
“I summered at a V20 and my experience was really good. I'm wondering if I missed out on anything or if these giants do it differently. None of my classmates summered at either of these firms as my law school is apparently not on their list. submitted by /u/Amazing_Astronaut262 [link] [comments]”
“I have an attorney…. At $400/hr. It’s just LOI and their terms explaining “preferred equity sale structure “ [re: Is this a good deal or is it shady?]”
“Is it really true that most V5 or even V10 associates can lateral down quite easily with minimal effort? My friend told me all his V5 friends managed to lateral down quite easily some lower than others but easy nonetheless. Does being a higher V really make lateraling easier? submitted by /u/steakysteakmeatymeat [link] [comments]”
“I left big law after about 2.5 years in litigation to a mid sized law firm with a lower hours requirement, which was a huge motivating factor. Now that I've been there for about a year I realized I may want to go back to Big Law. I'm working just as much here as I was in big law but I'm getting paid less. Also the professionalism and the matters you get in big law just don't compare. I also think I'm not learning nearly as much as I did in big law. At my current firm you'”
“Hi all! I'm a junior at a biglaw firm and really enjoy the work. I've been pleasantly surprised by how compatible the job is with family life (I have kids), and I feel supported by the partners and senior associates I work with. Several of the partners clearly try to be present for their families, which was part of why I chose this office. The one drawback is a group of mid-level attorneys who have been unkind to me and a few other juniors. One of them will chat with one of us, and after”
“That sounds fun. How did you get hired? Just apply for an open job? Network? [re: What the heck is a Legal Engineer?]”
“I’m a fourth year in a corporate group at an Am Law 100 firm, and I’m moving to a smaller market for personal reasons. I have an offer from another Am Law 100 firm in the new city, and I’m trying to decide whether to lateral or transfer to my current firm’s office there. My relationships at my current firm are decent, and I’m on track to bill a couple hundred hours over my target this year. That said, I work with several different partners and wouldn’t say I’m any one partner’s go-to associate.”
“not dissimilar to Fishbowl, but seems like the calculus in BigLaw is a lot different for Litigators and maybe some are less money on the mind at all times as one could argue that there is still more 'interesting' work to be done for litigators outside of BigLaw whereas most would agree that in-house work on the transactional side is typically not very stimulating. submitted by /u/Michaelord1 [link] [comments]”
“I am being paid $235,000 a year by my non-Milbank matching (yet) biglaw firm. I have reason to believe that a fair estimate of how much I am being billed out at is around $900 an hour. That’s my estimate based on discounts I know we give to a lot of clients, although I get that there are alternative fee arrangements, flat fees, etc. It‘s supposed to be a conservative estimate - if it’s off let me know. The non-discounted rates for associates at my level, I know for a fact, are even higher. That”
“For those who have seriously considered leaving BigLaw, I’m curious what number would make the decision easier. If you’re making $400k+ but constantly working nights and weekends, would you take $200k for a predictable schedule, or would the pay cut feel too steep after getting used to the lifestyle? submitted by /u/LittleTrust2978 [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone, I am a lawyer and I hate it. I think I’m interested in supply chain but I’m not sure if my skills as a lawyer are transferable. I have a criminal defense and personal injury background. Can anyone provide any advice on how I can make the transition into this industry? Are there any certs or courses that are best recommended? submitted by /u/Own-Horror-9510 [link] [comments]”
“Obviously I'm not from the United States. The work however is comparable (fewer hours though). Our corporate department does exactly the type of work that is done in the United States (we deal with American firms daily). My department which is IP advises mostly on US and EU law. The compensation that people share in this subreddit astounds me. If I was earning even double what I was earning now I would be so happy, and that is just one quarter 1/5 of what y'all are earning. Honestly cons”
“NB: Not biglaw but elite lit boutique. I’m only a few weeks in and I’m realizing I’m going to have to set some boundaries with myself. I honestly haven’t had that much work yet (firm is good about easing us in) but got a real assignment finally and have either thought about it or worked on it in 95% of my “spare” time since I began. The stakes are low and timelines are flexible — why am I staying up late and waking up early to work on it? I’m not a gunner. I would guess that it’s fear of deliver”
“There’s definitely roles in lit as well as corporate. I originally heard about the company through ppl leaving my lit department. [re: Legora Legal Engineer (Interview)]”
“What line of consulting are you considering? Just in the same boat and considering the same option.”
“In a previous job of mine, we'd had a lawyer (8 years of exp) join us a Fintech from a corporate set-up and he'd had quite a set of unique observations in the time I was there (if this helps with your decision-making): Pros: Speed of execution really picked up on a daily basis given the goal of just getting things done. Although this depends on each individual, as speed may not always be considered an advantage. The learning curve was steeper which made things better because he was never”
“I think am working in a stingy company ( I think) . saw the company hand book stating that the company will pay for certain professional fee, then when I asked further it only applies to associates level and above ! Am I overthinking ? Do you company pay part of it ? submitted by /u/In_Praise_of_Shadow [link] [comments]”