Leaving Biglaw vs. Changing Your Biglaw
It’s no secret that Biglaw associates are working harder than ever. But before you think of leaving Biglaw altogether, consider whether a change of Biglaw environment makes sense first.
The number of law firm associates that are leaving Biglaw altogether right now is quite high. Associates find opportunities in or out of legal practice which they think will provide better hours with acceptable pay. The misconception is that if they go to another Biglaw firm that everything will be the same. However, there are meaningful differences among associate Biglaw experiences. If you are at a Biglaw firm yourself, just think about your own firm: If you talk to other associates in different practices areas or different working groups, chances are you will hear about some completely different work cultures. The fact is that there are meaningful differences in Biglaw experiences. You just need to do the research and work with a recruiter that will help you find out “if the grass is greener.”
3,000 hours vs. 2,500 hours vs. 2,000 hours or less
Biglaw firms can be opaque when it comes to actual hours billed by their associates. Maybe a firm has a 1,850 hour requirement, but everyone knows the firm expects much more to get a bonus. Maybe the firm does not have a billable hour requirement, but associates in a particularly busy practice are all working at 2,800 hours a year. The fact is that some associates have higher billing hour expectations than others. For example, lots of transactional associates with whom I speak are on track for that 3,000 mark this year (same as last year and the year before). Some attorneys and firms will say that working like this is just part of the Biglaw world, while others are conscious of staffing their groups appropriately to keep their associates at a more sustainable level. The number of billable hours per associate can ultimately differ at the firm level, the practice level or even the working group level.
No false deadlines and clearer direction
One of the biggest complaints that I hear from Biglaw associates that are looking to leave has to do with work supervision. They work with partners or senior associates who give them unclear direction or false deadlines (e.g., a partner who says “get this memo to me by the end of the weekend for the client” but then they sit on the work product for days or weeks). This approach is not universal in Biglaw. Clients are demanding and turnaround times can be quick. But a thoughtful supervising lawyer will make it clear when deadlines are truly urgent.
Different clients
Maybe the problem with your Biglaw experience is the type of clients you advise. The problem could be very specific, meaning you have individual clients with difficult personalities. Or it can be industry type. For example, I sometimes speak with corporate associates who advise on deals in industries to which they do not feel connected. A common reason that associates lateral to another Biglaw firm is to change the client base which they advise. Maybe you want to represent primarily companies in technology, life sciences or some other major industry. Making a change for this reason can help you feel more fulfilled in your work and also create a more desirable platform for an in-house move later on.
Getting more runway before you leave Biglaw
Lots of Biglaw associates leave for non-Biglaw opportunities that sound really good, but end up being limiting or undesirable in some way. If you leave for a government or in-house job at a very junior level, for example, it can be difficult to get promoted and move up. When more senior opportunities open up at these employers, they may look to more senior attorneys in Biglaw. Additionally, I have spoken to in-house attorneys that work just as hard, if not more, than a BigLaw associate. Finally, more time in Biglaw can give you a better understanding of what you want and what you don’t want long-term out of a legal career. Too many associates just leave for the first opportunity they get out of Biglaw not because they know what they want, but because they just want to leave as soon as possible.
Ultimately, whether to leave Biglaw altogether or change your Biglaw situation is a difficult and specific situation. No matter what you do, talk to trusted advisors and friends before you make any quick decisions.
If you or someone you know needs advice on making a lateral move, you can schedule a free 15-minute legal career advising appointment at gridlinesearch.com. Jason McCann provides candidate-focused legal search service with the perspective of an experienced career advisor.
