Job Searches, Small Law Firms

Size Matters: A Perfect Fit

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Ed. note: This is the latest installment of Size Matters, one of Above the Law’s new columns for small-firm lawyers.

Since obtaining this illustrious post, I have done my best to invoke the great Andrea Zuckerman (another legendary Jewish newswoman) and find out what makes an attorney happy in her small law firm. The answer, according to the happy and unhappy small firm attorneys with whom I have interviewed, is fit.

As one founding partner of a small firm wrote, “in my opinion, the most important factor to selecting a firm at which you will be happy working starts with the people you will be working with and the firm’s philosophy.”

Some might argue that fit is important in any law firm – big or small. Simply put, those people are wrong.

Why? Because it is not necessary to like most of the people with whom you work at Biglaw. Odds are you can go weeks – if not months – without seeing the people you hate (the most). Indeed, one of the greatest benefits of working at Biglaw is that you can avoid most human contact.

I am pretty sure I could convince several people at my old firm that I still work there, but we just have not crossed paths in the last three or so years.

A small law firm is an entirely different universe. You cannot avoid the people you hate. You will see them everywhere you turn and will likely work with all of them. In fact, many of these firms have assignment systems to ensure that you cannot avoid certain partners. I mean, otherwise, who would do their work?

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So, when selecting a small firm, it is imperative that you take the time during the interview, and after, to get to know all of the attorneys. These people will be your family. Make sure you like them.

And pay attention to how they feel about each other. You do not want to be the child caught in the middle of that dysfunctional family.

How can you find out this information before becoming a part of the family? Unfortunately, it is not easy. There are, however, a few important things to do before accepting an offer:

(1) It is natural in this competitive market to think only of how you are appearing during the interview. But, focus, as best you can, on your interviewer as well.

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(2) After receiving your offer, go back to the firm and interview with as many other attorneys as possible. During these interviews, the pressure is off so you can assess whether or not you like the person.

(3) Pick a few associates (the ones you connect with most), ask them for a drink or coffee outside of the office (this part is key!), and find out what they really think of the firm’s culture.

In other words, use whatever information gathering skills you use to assess whether or not your want to keep dating the avatar you met on the internet.

Just remember the story of Goldilocks. If you are going to go to a small firm, make sure the fit is just right.

Valerie Katz (not her real name) works at a small law firm in Chicago. You can reach her by email at Valerie.L.Katz@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter at @ValerieLKatz.

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