An ATL Interview with the Greenberg Traurig Letter Writer

Remember the former Biglaw associate who recently left Greenberg Traurig — and whose departure caused a stir, due to his rather frank resignation letter?
This associate’s farewell message was widely circulated by email. We posted it here — where it generated some 150 reader comments.
Opinions were all over the map about the author and his letter. Some commended him for his candor, while others chided him for self-indulgence. But regardless of your views of him, it’s clear that his resignation letter struck a nerve, resonating with associates at large law firms around the country.
We caught up with the writer of the resignation letter and conducted a brief interview with him, over email. You can check it out after the jump.


Here’s the interview. Our questions appear in bold, followed by his responses.
To whom was this letter sent in the first instance?
Initially, this letter was sent as a pdf attachment to an e-mail to about 10 people at Greenberg (6 corporate partners, 4 associates who I had worked with), and two people in HR. One of those 12 leaked it.
Are you upset that your letter was leaked? Or do you think it could be a good thing, in terms of starting a discussion?
I’m not upset that the letter was leaked, although it was not my intention for it to be forwarded around the legal community. I stand behind what I wrote (minus the two typos), but at the same time I want to stress that the letter was definitely NOT a specific indictment of Greenberg Traurig (who have actually treated me really well considering this letter) as much as it was aimed at corporate law (and Biglaw) in general.
I hope it does at least start a dialogue among those people who can actually do something to try to improve the situation at firms (and I don’t think the solution is to just keep increasing salaries). While I’m sure there are many corporate lawyers out there who love their job (and god bless them), the vast majority that I know feel many of the same things that I do. And I don’t think these feelings are limited to corporate lawyers either, but also apply to big firm lawyers regardless of practice group.
What led you to go to law school? Would you go to law school if you were to do it all over again?
I went to law school because it was something I had always thought I wanted to do. In addition, I just really enjoyed being in an academic environment and thought that going to a good law school would definitely not hurt me in whatever field I decided to pursue. I was fortunate that my parents were able to help me out a bit in addition to a large grant I received my first year of law school. As a result, I left law school only owing money to the US Government, with no private loans.
Would you be willing to state, in percentage terms, the size of the pay cut you’re taking?
Depending on how I do in the sales job, my first year pay will be approximately a 70% pay cut. Of course, the plan is for my compensation to steadily increase as I become more successful in this next role. However, it will probably be a long time before I return to my current compensation level at the law firm. But, as I wrote in the letter, this is clearly not a financial decision. I also realize I’m lucky in that I have the financial flexibility to make a move like this right now (i.e., reasonable mortgage, no family to support, no car payments, etc.).
Did you think about switching specialties — e.g., from corporate to, say, litigation — or moving to a smaller firm or to government (where you might have more control over your life)?
I definitely did not consider switching practice groups within my firm or at another large firm. It’s clear that most of my frustrations are fairly consistent across all big firms. In addition, I didn’t really consider moving to a smaller firm or the government either. Corporate law is still corporate law, whether I do it for 70 hours a week or 40 hours a week. I never really had an interest in litigating either. Of course there are many, many other types of law a lawyer can practice. However, I feel my personality is better suited for a sales position. In addition, my new job will allow me to do certain things outside of work that I’ve always wanted to do like coach a little league team or maybe write a book (that will be proofed for typos, unlike my letter).
Could you ever see yourself returning to legal practice someday?
Never say never, but I imagine I would have a rather difficult time securing employment at a firm (especially in the corporate group). If I do, it will probably be in the capacity of a sole practitioner or maybe in an academic role.
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We thank the Greenberg Traurig Letter Writer for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!
Earlier: A Heartfelt F.U. Farewell to Greenberg Traurig LLP (and Biglaw)

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