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Cyber Monday standing desk recommendations?
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how do you bill for waiting time in closing?
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Mentor
Cyber Monday standing desk recommendations?
how do you bill for waiting time in closing?
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Coach
Unless you have ambitions that require biglaw on your resume, it seems crazy to give up what you have for $50k.
That’s a big jump in hours for (IMO) not enough of a pay increase. I lateraled from a small firm with no hours requirement to an AmLaw 100 with 1850 hours, for about a $100k bump—and I can say I don’t think I’d have a happy life if I had to bill any more than that.
I wouldn’t make the jump. 400 hrs for 50k Increase? No thanks.
My requirement is 2050 and I’m miserable looking for a way out. Srsly anything close and over 2000 is not worth it unless you’re prepared to be miserable.
AM200 isn't even big law. I'm not trying to be overly pedantic, but since prestige is part of the reason you are interested I am pointing that out. It will be the same attitude the AM100 firm attorneys have, and even more so when you run into an AM 50, 10, 4, etc... There are a lot of gatekeepers in the big law club, which you won't be a member of.
Notoriety aside, with only a $50K increase, the juice isn't worth the squeeze.
Dude I am miserable and 2000 hours is our requirement (you will likely bill more than 2000).
Stay where you are. That $50k bump doesn’t sound worth it. If you were moving from 2000 to 2000 I would say go for it, but like you said you will prob make partner in 2 years at your firm. I really envy my friends at firms with the 1800 hour requirements.
Mentor
What you currently have sounds wonderful, and I wouldn’t give it up for an extra $50k. How much of a pay increase is that for you? Is there a reason you’re considering leaving aside from the money?
Mentor
I mean, that’s not chump change and it’s valid to want to seek more complex matters. But there’s something to be said for knowing you’re on partnership track at a firm with good hours and a good culture. It’s rare to get all three of those at bigger shops.
I’m not seeing the jump appeal either! Not enough of an income increase. As someone who bills 1500 on a reduced schedule in big law and has been for a while, I think going up to 2000 would destroy me mentally. Too massive of a dip in quality of life. Someone would need to pay me 0.5M more a year to even consider it!
Hard pass for only $50k. I forbid you from making that move.
I regularly work well in excess of 2,000 hours at an AmLaw 50. I’m frankly surprised at the people saying 2,000 sounds rough. That would be a chill year for me. But I earn quite a bit more and have much greater future earning potential than I would at the places I could envision working significantly fewer hours. I don’t know where in the AmLaw 200 you are looking or where you’re coming from but it’s quite possible you would not be making much of a prestige jump l, would be working significantly more hours, and if the long-term pay increase is not much more than 50k, then it is not worth the jump IMO. If you’re able to achieve a lifestyle you are generally comfortable with at your current spot, working what would be practically part time at some larger firms, keep it.
Stay! Enjoy your life.
Mentor
Know tgat an AmLaw200 firm will not pay anywhere near Cravath bonuses, so just...count that out.
50k after taxes is nothing relative to the additional hours. This is an obvious no unless there is some other factor involved.
$50k for 400 hours sucks. It isn’t just one year, though. Have to consider future pay scales, optionality, and prospects.