Lawyers Navigating Big Law's Demands

“A partner I work with frequently is moving to a similarly positioned biglaw firm. He has asked me to come with him and help build out the practice at the new firm. I am a mid-level and generally like my firm, although I like working with this partner far more than the average partner at my firm. If I left my current firm, I would lose my clerkship bonus due to a clawback provision, presumably my end of year bonus, and also my extra bonus (for high hours). Any advice? Can I negotiate a sign on bo”

“Hi, I'm trying to figure out if an MBA makes sense for me or if I'd be better off taking a different route. I'm currently working in BigLaw as an Associate in a litigation practice (i.e., not doing corporate deals work that would be more relevant to the business side). I don't mind the work, but I've always been interested in eventually moving into an in-house business role, and I'm realizing that will be difficult with only a litigation background. Furthermore, while I c”

“Is big law litigation less demanding in terms on being on call etc or is it similar time commitment across the board? submitted by /u/Grouchy-Doctor-2997 [link] [comments]”

“im an incoming 1l with a bsc public health background and really interested in the intersection between law and healthcare, but not sure what sorts of careers are available and what i should be aiming for in terms of summer internships. is it mainly insurance? what kinds of healthcare matters do biglaw firms usually work on? what biglaw firms are known for having dedicated health law practices/groups? eventually id love to pivot to international health law but again, i have no idea how the field”

“Currently at a big law firm that I like. My past experience has only been small firm or prosecutors office. So now I’m close to the finish line of law school and don’t know which route to take. What I do know is at the 3-5yr mark of my career I want to start my own practice. The security of a big law job is very attractive, the starting salary, paying for bar prep, securing a job before I graduate. The prosecutors office gives me immediate courtroom experience, and sharpens a skillset I highly v”

“Currently in Marketing and thinking about going to law school instead but would like some advice from those who were also in a different career path prior to switching. How has it been handling the extra student loans, studying and working to put yourself through school? Do you feel like it has paid off and are you happier making the decision? I’ve been in marketing for quite some time and actually completed my MS in Marketing in 2024. I’ve always loved marketing and still do however things have”

“Any insights into the CLT big law market, especially in light of how much change there has been in recent years? It‘d be especially helpful to get any insights on specific firms/groups, including how sophisticated the work is, cultures and hours. submitted by /u/Effective_Extent_244 [link] [comments]”

“I am a 2L SA at one of my firm's main offices. I have really enjoyed my summer, and I am excited about the opportunity to start my career with this firm. However, I would like to move to another city where my firm has another office (albeit smaller). I have family ties to my desired location, have visited it often over the years, and believe it is where I could truly see myself establishing my personal and professional life. Over the course of the summer, I have networked with attorneys in t”

“Would you do it again? Would you take the same path? Knowing what you know now would you still go to law school? I’m 22, got out of the military about a month ago. I’m thinking about law school, always wanted to do graduate school, was thinking dental, or CRNA just because that’s what most people around me are doing, but…I’m fucking terrible at math. And I’ve been praised for my writing and speech, that was my whole job in the military. Anyways, with AI and job security, what job would you have”

“Hi, I'm a youngish attorney who joined a litigating component of the DOJ (not one of the high-prestige ones) straight out of law school a few years ago via the Honors program. It's the only legal job I've ever had. I've just lateraled out to an AmLaw 200 firm, to work as an associate in the same practice area as my DOJ job. Tried to pick someplace that didn't feel too sweatshoppy, but frankly who the fuck knows. My annual billable hour requirement is 1800, with bonuses at 190”

“I've started practising again after many years in more of a support/paralegal/supervisory role (after maternity leave). I have the opportunity to go solo and open up my own firm. However I'm not feeling passionate about my practise area at all. I'm not sure if it's because I'm currently stuck in a toxic work environment with people I hate. Maybe when I can practise the way I want, target the specific niche and clients I want - I will feel more passionate? I'm currently mu”

“Current summer at a west coast office of a big firm. Totally set on doing appellate lit if I can break in. Secured 9th circuit clerkship for 2027-28. Would it make sense to apply for DC circuit for 2028-29 to make myself a stronger candidate for appellate groups? (I’m probably a borderline candidate for DC cir. Struck out this year but I’m assuming I’m a stronger candidate if I reapply next year with the 9th cir clerkship on my resume) submitted by /u/Confident-Box4762 [link] [”

“I’m a midlevel thinking about lateraling and a firm I applied to has offered me an in person callback for next week after a first round virtual screener. I’m a KJD, I did law school and OCI during Covid and I’ve never lateraled before so somewhat embarrassingly this is my first ever in person callback interview. They told me to expect it to last roughly 3 hours. Any advice on best practices? Do people still bring printed copies of their resume (or is that a non-law thing)? Should I be taking not”

“I’m a junior who accepted a lateral offer from a boutique in my substantive area of interest within ~8 months of returning to my current firm from a clerkship. This was all a surprise to me, as I have genuinely enjoyed my time at my current firm, where I also summered and worked briefly before clerking, but a great opportunity arose unexpectedly and happened to work out. Thoughts/tips on giving notice (and navigating any clawback issues, especially given I haven’t been able to find any applicabl”

“Rising 2L. Will be a 2027 2L transactional summer associate at big law firm. Not sure which practice group within transactional. What classes should I take 2L to be best prepared for 2L summer, and 3L for full-time big law? submitted by /u/CarpenterRoutine6394 [link] [comments]”

“Does anyone have intel on San Diego big law litigation market? Any firms with good culture and interesting work in their litigation practice group? I’ve heard Cooley and Latham, but can’t find any anecdotal posts, and I don’t know anyone in the region to ask. submitted by /u/Realistic-Hearing-88 [link] [comments]”

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“2L summer at low amlaw 200 firm paying way below market rate. only receive work from one practice group/litigation team that has nothing to do with bankruptcy (think labor/ID/trust&estates) will be clerking in a great bankruptcy district after graduation. love bankruptcy work and 100% applying to biglaw bk practice groups during clerkship. do i finish up the summer without mentioning it to my current firm? they also want me working fall/spring of 3L year, paid but still assigned to the same”

“Probably a silly question, but I was wondering if I’d be able to secure a Big 4 gig even if I hadn’t interned with them prior. I have internship experience (2), 3.5 gpa, and am coming up on 150 credits, but I’ve heard they mostly hire prior interns to come on full time. I graduate May ‘27, so I’m just hoping that I didn’t miss the ship Thanks! submitted by /u/Decent_Eagle_2676 [link] [comments]”

“I am getting married and starting in BigLaw soon. For people in this industry who have given birth, when do you recommend having a baby? Obviously, I will take advantage of maternity leave policies. But is it easier to take leave as a junior, midlevel, senior, or partner? Is there no "right" time? TIA! submitted by /u/Altruistic-Zone-5424 [link] [comments]”

“Doing fund formation at a sweatshop. 2nd year and have been annualizing a very unpleasant amount since I started. Want to leave big law as soon as possible/it makes sense. Doesn’t seem like there are a lot of good exits for funds lawyers prior to 5th year. Anyone have any insights/tips for exiting as a junior? FYI, not all that concerned about taking a massive pay cut for a more humane environment. Have considered lateraling down the rankings but generally assume it will just be more of the same”

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“Do you sometimes regret that you went into transactions instead of litigation? Or regret going into litigation instead of transactions? What made you decide to go into transaction/litigation? submitted by /u/Realistic-Claim-3686 [link] [comments]”

“Hi all, incoming 1L at a T6 here again and I recently made a post dedicated to finding more about EC/VC practice and it was incredibly helpful. I've also been thinking about Private Funds as a practice group and was wondering about what materials (i.e., books, substacks, articles) should I look into to start? Thank you. submitted by /u/Less_Entrepreneur385 [link] [comments]”

“For sake of argument, let’s say you’re a second/third year associate in litigation. Is it entirely firm dependent? Does it depend on what kind of practice area shift (general litigation to something specialized versus an entirely different area (transactional/regulatory advising)? Does it necessitate lateraling? Should one expect to start their new practice as a first year even with two/three years of substantive experience? Happy to hear all thoughts. submitted by /u/LawSchoolAnonym”

“I am soon going to law school and i have a huge interest in tech-law field What advice would you give to your first-year self? What mistakes have you made? Advice specifically on internships, publications, research, social circles, student life, common mistakes and assumptions I acknowledge that , me coming being a first-generation lawyer going to a lower NLU school with improper placement cell sucks and the college wont help shit with placements or internships How can I prevent making mistakes”

“What *actually* works for you? SA in BigLaw (disputes) starting to really think about developing own practice and clients. We have a bunch of people who go to conferences and write blog posts, and it never seems to amount to much. Often it feels the only surefire way is to have a contact at a client who really trusts you, but that’s not easy to find / build without previously knowing them. submitted by /u/TraditionalCandle659 [link] [comments]”

“Is it easier to lateral cities after being in big law for a bit? My law school is strong in its home market but doesn’t send a ton of people to NYC, which is where I want to end up. Thanks submitted by /u/Inevitable-Rest-9041 [link] [comments]”

“Considering taking around 3 months off between leaving the firm and starting COA clerkship. Mostly because I’m overworked and tired and don’t know when I can have free time like this again. For context, I will be a second year when I leave. Money is not a concern (e.g., no kids, no loans, have a good amount saved). My gut is that I should do this for myself but not sure if it would be bad for my career or something. I’m doing well at my firm, on track to bill around 2450 this year. I’m just so t”

“Normally becoming an associate isn’t based on potential. It’s about fit. I get it. But what do you do with someone who graduated from law school years ago and worked abroad in a legal-adjacent field? Now they have a green card, they’re licensed in the U.S., but will lose the green card if they don’t find a job in the U.S. I would say find a smaller firm but smaller firms don’t really hire like that either. What do you do with someone like this? submitted by /u/rideordiegem [link] &#3”

“I’m a government attorney with several years of experience and earning about $140k. I’ve never worked over 40 hours a week, have great benefits, and a relaxed work environment (hybrid schedule, flexible supervisor, and lots of autonomy). The only reason I’m considering a move is finances, I’m the sole earner in a family of five. I recently received an offer from Littler for an associate position with a salary of about $225k. I have about $100k student loan debt and 5.5 years until I qualify for”

“I've heard rumblings that 3rd years have been told to go from my firm once they approached/entered their fourth year - how common is this practice? Do firms start trimming the fat around the transition into 4th year? submitted by /u/akitoandnimi [link] [comments]”

“So I have to choose between corporate law and criminal litigation. What is the best way to earn money as a lady lawyer? Does corporate law firms in Sri Lanka pay well? submitted by /u/Grouchy_Gur_5630 [link] [comments]”

“Atleast in law school admissions, UCLA seems to compete and match/exceed cross admit yields between some of the traditional lower T14 schools. Wondering if this has translated into Big Law & general perceptions. submitted by /u/Adventurous_Ant5428 [link] [comments]”

“I suspect the firm does not like it when a partner take mat leave. Otherwise, it depends how much overtime the partner will refuse to do. If your husband/wife is willing to take care of the kids at a drop of a hat, then it's not much of an issue. However, expect that it will affect the marriage. I also suspect that the firm won't like it if their partner has a divorce every couple of years... Just saying, the firm can F itself if they expect people to work for them while sacrificing thei”

“I entered the legal profession because of my interest in the law, not because I wanted to make a lot of money. Recently, I've started thinking that joining a biglaw firm would be a significant accomplishment. I genuinely enjoy studying and practicing law, but I have almost no experience with office politics. I'm not good at dealing with workplace drama or political maneuvering. I'm not afraid of working hard—in fact, I'm willing to put in the effort—but office politics is somethi”

“I’ve heard that being a lawyer with Kirkland and Ellis and many other of the top firms is very high pressure and stressful , but how is working for their finance departments? submitted by /u/cplm1948 [link] [comments]”

“Basically the title, anyone have experiences having left one firm but then returning later? As I was leaving, although a few partners and associates became cold, the head of my office, as well as my practice group leaders and other management level partners told me that I would be welcomed back if I ever chose to return. Long story short, just a few months in to my new firm, I am miserable. I dislike the office culture, and I no longer do any of the work that made being a lawyer bearable. I feel”

“Hi, incoming BigLaw first-year starting this fall. Few practicing attorneys in my personal life, so hoping some people in the trenches can offer perspective. I graduated law school in May, summered at a BigLaw firm in NYC, received an offer, and start in October. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity. That said, I'm really struggling with bar prep. I have a documented learning disability (dyslexia among other things), and while I'm understanding the material fine and scoring de”

“I’m a corporate associate who recently gave notice because I’m relocating from California to DC for my spouse’s job. My firm doesn’t have an office in DC but offered a remote position. I have already accepted an offer from a small firm but I’m reconsidering. I’m generally happy at my current firm. I like the people, know how things work, and have good relationships with the partners. However, my group is demanding and has high expectations around hours so I was frankly excited to escape to the s”

“People who made the transition from big law to in-house positions — can you please share any tips? How long did the hiring process take? What factors did you consider when choosing a company? Did you reach out to current employees before applying? etc. I‘m a mid level and ready to leave! I‘ve started applying on compan’s websites but wondering if I should use a recruiter instead. submitted by /u/Realistic_princess [link] [comments]”

“If you lateraled - did it extend your big law shelf life? Did it feel like a fresh start? Why or why not? submitted by /u/Local_Farmer_8881 [link] [comments]”

“Hey everyone! Basically I will be graduating in Law in 2031. I am from an upper tier 2 NLU. I want to get out of India at any cost. That's my goal for a better life. I was planning for doing an LLM afterwards in the US or europe but the problem is you only get 1yr OPT in the US to find a job and most of the big law jobs are taken by JD people and in Europe you face language restriction. So it's not a globally transferable degree. A few days ago, I came across MiM. I think it's a pret”

“ill probably en day first year with around 1600 hours. I’m in litigation, got positive mid year reviews, and haven’t turned down work. will I get a talking to about the hours? submitted by /u/ProfessionalRare3675 [link] [comments]”

“Doing a federal district court clerkship this fall, with plans to join a regional office of a V100 firm that I really liked working for over the past two summers. I really like the firm's culture, and the associates don't seem to hate their lives or jobs, which was a major green flag. I felt like it was a fantastic fit for me, and I feel slightly guilty to be second guessing myself now. The clerkship bonus is $25,000. I was content with this, until I realized that some peer firms, even i”

“I’ve been in-house for almost two years now and am currently debating between another in-house offer and returning to biglaw. I’ve enjoyed in-house so far and the comp for this offer is significantly higher than I make currently, with total yearly around 300k (30% RSUs with yearly refresh). Long term there’s definitely salary growth potential but that’d likely be years away. I think this job would also be a career step in the right direction. On the other hand, I’d be returning to biglaw as a 6t”

“I’m taking the bar in July and have a fed district court clerkship lined up right after. I couldn’t crack the t14 when I applied for law school, got some offers from t20, but ended up taking the full ride plus stipend at t50. Super lucky and grateful to have no debt, and the same goes for even getting a clerkship. I have no idea what I should do post clerkship (not in a major market). I didn’t even try for BL in law school, and I stuck mainly to judicial externships and public defense at federal”

“Don't hate me, but I got cold-called by a big bank who wants to make me an MD, and even though I don't have a formal offer yet, the numbers one of my interviewers was throwing at me were legit 50-65% higher than my current comp. As background, I'm specialist counsel in European BigLaw but based in the US, and I actually LOVE my job and had basically expected to be a lifer. They love me too, and I'm on partner track, but the timing keeps getting pushed back due to firm and group-l”

“6th year M&A associate focused primarily on healthcare transactions. I’m on track and well-liked in my group, but generally ready to leave BigLaw - totally burnt out and fed up with the constant fire drills. I’ve reached my financial goals and am ready for a lifestyle change that includes moving closing to family upstate. I still want to practice transactional law, but don’t want or need to do it all this level anymore. I don’t expect to make anywhere close to the same income, but I’m debt f”

“I was initially hoping to do M&A but after seeing the posts about how AI can easily replace M&A juniors I'm reconsidering and trying to see what else is there. I am worried that I will be in a disadvantage since I don't have a LLM in tax. Also worried that tax is not a big money generating area unlike M&A which could limit growth. Also, harder to lateral? Also is tax more AI resistant since it's very complicated? Thanks for any insights. I really appreciate it. subm”

“Senior litigation lateral on the west coast. Comp seems pretty much the same, Sheppard seems to have the best culture, but feel like Baker or ML may have better exit opportunities. Thoughts or experience? submitted by /u/tenfthigher [link] [comments]”

“I had a realization about Biglaw after working on a pro bono criminal law case where I got to interact with AUSAs and the FBI and talking this over with some other Biglaw friends- When chatting with the AUSAs, I really felt they were sincere when they expressed “we are not here to convict, we are here to do justice.” (Yeah yeah, be cynical all you want) It got me thinking- I’ve been working in Biglaw for a couple years now and not once has the concept of “doing justice” come up in my job. When w”

“I am a 2025 law school graduate from a T30 school. I started law school very young and I wasn't the greatest student (think straight Bs) so I didn't get OCI and I feel like I've been paying for it since then. I've been working at my current (boutique) firm for about a year and I want nothing more than to lateral. I want to work in Biglaw and in New York, but this feels like a pipe dream at this point. However, I know friends who have been able to make the move so I know it is pos”

“so I’m debating whether to go in house as a senior associate. a really good opportunity came up … I really love my firm and colleagues. But the hours can be really bad. I also went straight from college to law school to big law so this is my first real job and I don’t have any other work experience. my question is…can in house be WORSE than big law? to me the only downside of big law is the hours. otherwise I have great mentors and I’ve learned a ton from the partners I work with. i like how I c”

“Hopefully I don't dox myself with this post - but I am in one of the few firms that permit unlimited pro-bono hours toward your yearly billable requirements. Since I am part way through my Summer - and it seems like I will be placed into a Transactional group anyway - can I credibly keep the litigation door open for as long as possible via a significant amount of pro-bono litigation work? I know associates at my firm who dedicate up to 1/3rd of their yearly billables to pro-bono files of the”

“2L @ T50... I received an offer from GT to join their Denver office for IP litigation. I hear a lot of bad about the firm culture and compensation in the coastal regions (besides Flordia apparently). Is it the same in the mountain states? I already know it's not a very prestigious firm, but this is the area I would like to practice in. I would appreciate any info on billable requirements, compensation, work culture, horror stories, management, partnership tracks. Anything out of the ordinary”

“Hello all, I graduated from a T14 and summered at a biglaw firm after 2L. The office was in a city where I didn't intend to practice and was smaller than I wanted, and I already knew I wanted to clerk afterward (a goal I achieved), so I was highly unmotivated and — justifiably — received a no-return offer. I'm now clerking for a well-regarded federal district judge and will soon clerk for a well-regarded federal circuit judge. I intend to apply to biglaw firms in a different market from”

“Interested to hear from people who were unhappy in their old practice group or area of law, switched to something else, and ended up happier. I’m hesitant to make a switch because I’m worried I’ll feel the same way somewhere else. How did you figure out whether the issue was the practice area itself, your specific firm/team, or just the nature of work generally? submitted by /u/Fantastic_Being_7471 [link] [comments]”

“Howdy, Just need to make sure that I’m not going crazy. So came into my current firm as an intern in 2023 during my sophomore year of college. They felt like I was so good that they went ahead and gave me a full-time offer even though I’m still in college. Took two years off from college to be a caregiver for my mother who was actively passing away from cancer while still working full-time. January 2027 will make it four years that I’ve been here and I graduate from college in December this year”