Partner

25 y/o female, only 3.5 years into consulting and can’t see myself doing this forever, rising the ranks and making partner. I feel like a failure/loser for wanting to stoop beneath my potential and exit the rat race at such a young age. Already looking to pivot, but no idea where to go. I’m in change/transformation/strategy so no technical skills. I enjoy helping people be their best (coaching / program management / talent optimization type work). Sad that my only skills are soft skills. Ideas?

Found myself seated next to a senior partner on my flight. Made small talk about life, etc. Mentioned I'd like to make partner one day, asked if they could tell me about their role (cont'd)

I love my job and love my team, but can't deal with OT anymore. My team is short staffed (almost no one left in the staff/senior level), and as a result, I work from 7AM to 2AM and have no work life balance. Should I start interviewing for a job in industry? Or should I discuss what I am going through and how I feel about it with my partner/coach(RL)? My team is aware that I am working long hours but they keep bringing new projects. Hiring freeze and COVID make things even worse now

I am proud to say that my firm did the right thing today. Instead of Associate salary cuts or layoffs, they suspended equity partner share payments and suspended hiring and spending. A plus.

As a partner reading the feed, I regret hiring attorneys out of law school.

I am 5th year SM and hope to be a partner by next year or so. In my early 40s with young kids.. so thinking about my next move and WLB. I am being approached by Recruiters from large tech companies with VP level role with a total comp of $500k or more. I am double minded now if I should stick to my PPMD track or make a switch now. Money is definitely important ... so wanted to ask your opinion if sticking with PPMD track will be more lucrative in long run. Thanks.

Just need a quick moment to vent! Two weeks ago, I applied for an associate position at a family law firm. I received a response almost immediately from the managing partner, who asked if I was available for a preliminary Zoom interview the very next day. The Zoom interview went exceedingly well, and I was asked to come in for an in-person interview the following afternoon. At the end of the second interview, the managing partner briefly explained the compensation... (CONTINUED IN COMMENTS)

My coach just told me he’s leaving the firm when I tried to schedule a meeting. I thought he must’ve found a better position but he sent me a second email saying he’s getting forced out and that he will explain everything next week. Kind of weird. Why would he tell me that and what is there to explain to me, a staff 2? I don’t think I’m in trouble because I emailed the partner and she said she’ll get back to me on Monday regarding a new coach arrangement. Is it weird or am I overthinking it?

Got a call for a partner position at McKinsey with 25 years experience and doing digital what kind of money should I ask for ? Any thoughts on what they are paying

I got an offer for a new position and when I tried handing in my resignation, my supervising partner made me an offer of $10k more than my new with the new offer. I was leaving because of unfairness and pay inequality and generally did not like with the firms culture. What should I do?

In your opinion, is being a tax partner compatible with having a family? What sacrifices would you have to make versus a more flexible position say in industry or government?

Hi Ladies, I have a question for those of you who own a home with your partner. How much did you contribute to the downpayment of the home? (Percentage or exact amount). I’m in my early 30s & from a low income family so I supported myself through college & only graduated 5 years ago. Due to living in a HCOL city, bills, & a mediocre salary (I work in an internal role), I feel like if I met a successful guy (single now), I’d feel inadequate for a LTR due to lack of savings for a mortgage. —>

New manager at a Big 4, but I’ve been a consulting manager for a while. An SC on the team said they “refuse” to report to me because I’m new. Our partner told me to get this SC in line and that I have his full support- but he apparently never told her I was coming to join the team to manage her😬. How do I set this SC straight without totally squashing her spirits? For context, she wants to take on more management role and be my “peer” but she’s a brand new SC...she’s not close to being ready.

Started career in consulting, went to industry, now back in consulting as a senior industry expert. No sales targets. Being heavily recruited by another firm to join as a partner and build a practice. 100% comfortable with everything in the role except selling. I have great rolodex and close relationships with many C-level execs but have never approached them to sell services. Any partners have advice on how to start building a book of business when you haven't been a seller?

What are some ways that you organize your emails so that you are able to quickly reference drafts that have either been sent to the client or op counsel and otherwise to identify important transactional documents (I.e. signature pages, execution versions and executed docs) that have been sent out by the team? I’m a first year and just learning my role on the team, and recently I was the only associate on a deal and reported directly to the partner. (More in comments)

Becoming a first time dad next week. Had 3-week pat leave planned but Partner has indicated I reconsider and let him know. Got a project role, was on bench all 2020, and confused how to plan ahead.

I have a call this week with an MBB partner from my school. Goal is a to get a referral. What are some of the best questions I can ask?

I think I’m finally ready to seriously consider leaving public accounting. The problem is I don’t know what I would want to leave for. I’m a high performer in my group and the partners made it clear that I’m on a partner track, but I just can’t do these hours anymore. What are some good exit options that pay decently, are interesting and have 9-6 hours?

Biglaw senior associates in Chicago. What’s your exit strategy? Zero chance of making partner at my current firm. In house is hard and likely to get a 50% paycut. Lateral to midsize firms/small firms? Will life style be much better? Or it’s all pretense? Should I use a legal recruiter? Looks to me that they only want to push me to another big firm.

Just made partner and my wife and I are expecting a baby. Curious if anyone has been in this position previously and how they did their paternity leave. For the record, my business practice is very supportive, but I am worried about metrics/targets in my first year too. Any insight (especially anecdotal) would be appreciated!

Art directors: what is your role in scripting? As a copywriter, I expect my partner to be a part of the process at least at certain checkpoints to help shape the piece together. Is this wrong?

I’ve been in consulting for over 10 yrs, since I finished grad school in my mid-20’s. I definitely feel like I’ve lost the passion though. I used to care about getting promoted or making partner, but now I just want to do my job and get on with life. I’m sensing I need to put together an exit strategy, but then I get overwhelmed by what to do next. Anyone have any good experience with career coaching or the like to share? Thinking it might be helpful, but not sure if it’s worth the investment.

Had my review today. Went well, was told I was operating above my level and my only criticism was to not let my account partner bulldoze me in client meetings. I was told I was not being put up for promotion because I’ve only been on the account for 8 months. Thought I was ok with this but the more I think about it the more upset I get especially if I’m already operating at the role above mine. ISO best tips to cope, re-approach boss, job search for a place that will value what I can bring?

Thoughts on a late 1st year going in-house? I'm getting close to an offer with a decent corp, in a dream location (Miami) with equal or slightly increased salary (cravath scale). My story is unique because I had significant experience prior to law school that makes me somewhat marketable to the company. While I'm well aware of my limited practice knowledge, I don't feel like I'm actually learning in my current role anyway. I also have zero interest in making partner. Is this too soon to jump?

What is your goal in biglaw? Partner? Exit in a few years? Other?

Just got the offer call for a role on Google’s Large Partner Solutions team! Reading through the success stories on this motivated me to keep pushing over the last 6 months, so thanks to all of you :)

Has anyone ever have a good chemistry with a Partner you work closely with? I’m in this position now, didn’t realise until a teammate pointed out “such good chemistry” “he’s totally hitting on you”

Got involved in a rather heated argument with my Partner regarding my frustrations with the job, did not explicitly state I resigned. My plan is to look for a new position and resign when I’m ready. Heard on the grapevine the Partner has been telling people I’ve resigned. What should I do to maximise my time on payroll while looking for a new job?

Has anyone left Big 4 to go independent with current client? My current client offered me a full time role but I want to come in as an independent consultant. I’d save them money and think they’d go for it. I’d use it as my first client and look to try my own consulting business. It’s always been my dream and I don’t see myself going through the ringer to make partner although I respect folks who do a ton. Just not for me. Too much mental health issues already. Can’t add that stress.

Mid-level associate here so I’m in a position of managing juniors but also reporting to partners on projects. Often a partner assigns a junior a task and then tells them to have me look at the work product before passing it back to the partner. The work product is consistently weak, (wrong on the law, facts are unsupported, late) so I can’t pass it on because my name is attached to it and repeated mentoring hasn’t taken. I don’t get to pick my team. Any advice for managing this junior better?

Can someone explain the “of counsel” position? It it really people who just couldn’t make partner?

I’ve now reached the point in my career where I have the experience, a good client base, and consistent referral sources that I’m ready to leave the small firm I’m with and start my own practice. My preference would be to find a partner and form a partnership because I’d like to have someone to bounce ideas off of and for some social interaction, but if I can’t find the right partner, then I’ll do it alone. Any advice on branching off to start my own firm - whether it be solo or with a partner?

Thinking about leaving B4. Will be a senior 1 in tax come October. Been doing some thinking and can’t decide if being in tax long term is for me. Want to transition into finance role. Thinking about leaving to be a finance associate somewhere and wanted to get input as the career paths for these moves. Ultimately want to be a CFO I think. I know pay is variable but in northeast is it substantial? Worth foregoing the chance of being partner? Fear is not making it and then being pigeon holed.

After busting my behind for years, I am finally in a position to retire and live modestly. Problem is, I dont know what I would do with myself. I get depressed if I dont have responsibility and tasks and my ego is tied to being sucessful at my job. I rack my brain asking 'what do you want to do' and come up with no answers. My partner would still work. I know, 1st world problems, but anyone else at this point in their life?

Does anyone feel like they’ve really found meaning and purpose in life? I’m 31, have a great marriage, should make partner in the next 3-5 years, but it all just feels so meaningless. I feel stuck between making money, trying to go back to school, trying out industry. I feel the force of inertia and fear of the unknown keeping me in a role that makes me feel anxious and lost. I work in healthcare, and find myself in executive meetings wondering if I should have been a physician or nurse... help?

How to people usually get to the C-Suite level of a company from consulting? Do they stick it out until partner level in consulting and then transfer into a CxO role in industry or transfer to industry early in an operational or management role and work their way up the ladder?

For Partners/MDs who have kids - do you feel you spent enough time with your kids during the years when you tried to get to where you are today? What do you wish you could have done differently? I have a reasonable shot at making partner but feel I have been missing too much of my child’s growth over the last few years. Seriously debating whether I should power through the next few years or exit to industry with better hours and less travel

For those not looking to make the hard grind to partner - what is your exit strategy?

I have a meet and greet next week with the partner in charge of the practice I'm applying for senior manager position in. Will I start off on his good side if I email him a summary of questions I have prior to meeting?

I had to end my last (brief) relationship during quarantine. He often dwelled in his darkness, paralyzed in a pessimistic and depressed world he couldn’t see his way out of. He didn’t believe he could be a more present person and partner. I found myself playing the role of uplifter and savior and didn’t get much back. I ultimately I had to come to terms with the fact that people have to want to change, they have to believe they can. That said, I wouldn’t trade it. Part 1/2