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Hang in there. I’m a Deloitte partner on the west coast. I make more money than any attorney I know. Getting to the top of the pyramid takes time
Was about to say the same. And I know what the big law partners are making. Remember that a lot of the partners by title at law firms are only income partners.
I will say there are some equity partners make quite a bit but there aren’t many of them. I would say less than 10% of the big law partners make more than. The average big 4 partner.
No. Never. Family & Time > Money.
Rising Star
Never. At least tax, the overwhelming majority of lawyers are in PA anyway so it’s just the more traditional track for a tax attorney. I’ve had friends/family comment on why I’m a lawyer not working in a law firm and I tell them that. Plus, my friends in BL are making way more money overall but making less when broken down by per hour worked and I like my relative wlb.
+1 on this. While its true its a lot harder to get biglaw tax than PA, most tax attorneys are in big4 and some even choose big4 WNT over biglaw. I can see other lawyers being a little confused as to why you arent a traditional law firm but other tax attorneys likely wouldnt even blink
Yes. However, there will always be people making more or less money than you. It’s just a job. Have to figure out what’s important to you.
Right out of law school, yes, but that dissipated quickly. I had more work life balance so the lower salary as a JD/LLM was the trade off. I worked on the same types of clients and same level of difficult issues often right alongside Big Law counterparts (or was engaged to provide advice on areas of expertise we had and they didn’t).
Yes, I took a $40k pay cut picking PA over the firm I summered with. But reading the answers above makes me feel better. I’ve quickly realized I prefer my personal time versus the money and know I’d probably be miserable with law firm hours.
I started at a law firm so doubly no. I’ve had that experience and I can’t say what is better or worse overall. I can just say it’s very different. WLB is for sure better in PA. But then again that’s for me. Some of the people I see post seem like they have it hard.
Also started at a law firm—making less money now but have much better WLB and mental health
I’m glad I left private practice for PA! I’m probably putting in just as many hours, but it’s not as emotionally draining and soul sucking like a law firm (I also did litigation). I don’t miss having to deal with constant client drama. The best part is that I can work from home or anywhere with my laptop, whereas in private practice I had to go into work every day, dressed up in a suit with hair & makeup done, and sit in the same office day after day. At least 10 hours a week was lost between commuting, laundering nice clothes, getting lunch packed & myself ready everyday. In PA, the people I work with are much more pleasant, grateful, and appreciate balance. I make a good salary in PA & try not to compare myself with someone who chose another route. If you work hard in either place, you will climb the ladder and it will pay out. You could always move to a law firm if you wanted to try it out, but the grass is not always greener.
That would be a great transition and likely much less dramatic. If I got laid off at EY, I would consider going back to a law firm (not litigation). I would likely have to get back into the office everyday though, but I have to say the management, communication and mentorship is better at a law firm. This big 4 culture has its downfalls too.
No. IMO, the b4 experience will be much more dynamic and versatile should you go in-house/industry
I really liked what the startup was building, so I personally reached out to the founders
Quite frequently actually, but then I remember how miserable I am when I am asked to write a tax opinion in PA, and I get over it. I like the work that I am doing in PA, and coupled with the WLB, I think I’m sitting pretty.
Currently in big law and miss the WLB I had at PA. The extra money is a plus and I enjoy the work I do at the firm more than PA. But the hours don’t leave room for much else.