Are there any good law firms left to go work at? It seems the days of great law firms to work at are far gone. I would like to move on from where I’m at presently, but all I see are the same places that don’t compensate well and have semi-bad reputations.

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There’s definitely great firms, but it really depends on the area you practice in, the city you’re in, etc.

For example, I run a PI firm and the focus has always been making it a place that caters to the employees to make sure they’re happy, but that’s not the norm for our industry, especially in Southern California.

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It all depends on the team. I’ve been on several great teams.

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Yes indeed.

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I loved my last law firm and only left because I was moving out of state and the tax situation. I'd happily go back if I move to a state where they at least have a footprint.

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I adore my office. The firm at large is actually great, but there's always something to complain about. (That's a talent of mine.)

A partner at a competitor said that they refer to us as the "kinder, gentler law firm." I'm not sure the associates agree but, again, there's always something to improve!

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Same!

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It's interesting how the people who say they are from great firms are partners or otherwise attorneys. I'm sure it's great to make way more money than paralegals and also treat them poorly. To answer OP, I don't think there are any great firms left.

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I'm a paralegal, and I loved my firm and I was treated extremely well by the attorneys I worked with.

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I am not an attorney, but I work closely with attorneys, paralegals, and legal staff across many types of law firms, from PI to family law and beyond.

From what I see, there are still strong firms out there. The experience varies a lot depending on the firm and what you are looking for.

Some firms develop reputations over time. Candidates often mention concerns like micromanagement or high volume, fast paced environments where the work can feel transactional. Those roles usually fall in the lower to mid salary ranges, around 65k to 200k.

On the other side, there are firms offering higher compensation, often starting around 275k and going up to 400k. I rarely hear negative feedback about those environments, aside from the workload. Many attorneys in those roles work long hours, often 12 to 14 hour days, and they are compensated accordingly.

A lot comes down to fit. Some people want balance and structure. Others are focused on earning and are comfortable with a heavier workload.

It is also worth being honest about patterns. When I review resumes with frequent moves year after year, and every situation is described as a bad environment, it raises questions. Sometimes the issue is the firm. Sometimes it is you.

There are good firms out there. There are also challenging ones. And there are many different personalities in this field, which can shape how a workplace feels.

The key is being clear on what matters most to you, then targeting firms that align with that.

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