Has anyone successfully transitioned from a midsize firm to big law? How did you do it? When in your career did you do it? Did you use a recruiter? How was adjusting to big law work/office environment?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I did it 20 years ago as a 2nd year partner. I had a practice and a reputation in an area of need so they recruited me through a couple of friends who worked there. No recruiter was involved. It was a great move for me but judging from the comments on this app biglaw is not for everyone or even most people. Much, much more demanding than midlaw from every perspective. What level are you and what are you thinking about making the move?

like

Currently a second year at a midsize firm doing business and commercial litigation. I’m thinking about making a move in 1-2 years. I have a decent connection to one firm and I’m actively networking to make more in other places. The financial side of it is one of the biggest motivators as I am in a lot of student debt which I am only able to pay off slowly in my current role.

I did it this year as a junior. A partner who I’ve gotten to know over the past few years reached out because of a vacancy in the group, so no recruiter. I came from a regional full-service firm so the transition’s been pretty seamless. My new firm uses the same document management system as my old firm, so I was able to hit the ground running. I’ve noticed that there are way more non billable meetings (pro bono, practice group, diversity & inclusion) (not necessarily a bad thing) at my new firm than at my old firm.

like

I did it after my first year. Looks like you’re pretty junior, if you’re in a position to do it, I’d do it ASAP, every year that passes makes it harder to convince biglaw firms you’re worth betting on, imo. I had a top law school and should have made biglaw first round but didn’t because I graduated in a recession, and I was in a hot field so after a year I seemed like a good prospect to big firms. So YMMV.

I heard of the opportunity through a recruiter, but she didn’t help too much since I only interviewed at two biglaw firms, only got one offer, and took that.

Adjustment was hard, I spent a lot of time initially crying and wondering wtf I’d done leaving my cushy 9-7 job (only because I was the biggest gunner at my midsize) for a 9-11 job. But I got used to it and several years later, glad I did it, difference in pay and quality of work is huge after a few years. Midsize firms may start off with decent pay but they rarely keep up with raises (compared to biglaw) for senior levels. That said, money/prestige/sexy deals isn’t everything and biglaw is absolutely not for everyone.

Related Posts

Any one into San Diego real estate market. Moving from east coast and considering buying a family home but nothing decent is less than 1 mill and property prices have jumped like 15-20% in one year.

Johnson & Johnson Mondelēz International I am working as a Territory Manager with Cars24 from around 11 months and in total of around 6 years of working experience as a Team Leader. Data Management # Channel Sales # General & Modern Trade # FMCG # New Product Launch # Marketing & Finance. Looking out for a organisational and cultural change to enhance my productivity and learning.🙏Britannia Industries Limited ITC Limited Johnson & Johnson Nestle Dabur India Colgate-Palmolive Pepsico Marico Hindustan Unilver Limited Mondelēz Internatio

like

Anyone know what headhunter Dyal / Blue Owl uses?

like

Hey fishes...

Please suggest

Have 6.5 YOE in Java, springboot, Microservices, MySQL

IRIS: 29 LPA fixed
SD Global: 35 LPA (including 10% variable pay)

Thanks in advance...

like

Hi! I am looking for a Google Data Position referal. Anyone would be willing to help? Thanks! Google

like

How do I know what to add to my roth? I have a few indexed funds but haven’t dabbled in stocks. I’m 25 years old so I want to do something riskier. I have $1500 to invest in something today...

like

My school is a small rural school. We don’t offer many in-house electives. What’s happening is students are having to take whatever is there to fill their schedules. If they aren’t interested in the class, then it becomes an opportunity for disruptions because they aren’t interested. What are some electives you have at your school that are new, innovative and interesting for todays high school students?

like

Anyone’s though on Bitcojn Cash BCH? It looks as stuck as LTC

How's WLB in UBS , annual average hike , bouns for employee? I am in having HR round soon and what to final the offer. Tech stack : Java full stack Exp: 8 YOE Location: Pune Expected offer : 35LPA . . . Please anyone from UBS help me please

UBS Business Solutions (India) Private Limited
UBS

Have a bud who was a FX trader and now unemployed. Saw him yesterday and he wants to roll over his 401k at abt 800k. Now he has some bad habits so I ignored him but now need to give him an answer.

like

What is your ambition, motivation for your work??

like

I have joined infosys and I'm in probation period and i kept resignation. But notice period is 3 months instead of one month. What i need to do to get released in one month. Please suggest me

like

Anyone have experience with Blackstone’s Portfolio Management Program?

Looking for details on comp, exit opps, and any insights on day-to-day activities / skills picked up during the program.

like

You can definitely tell which companies invest in their marketing performance and which don't, and it makes such a huge difference in brand image

like

How much does a manager at an IB make? Like around what?

like

How’s your work-life balance? New job at a new company and wondering how to clarify standards on this

like

Hey there - I recently moved from the States. Former PwC, currently in HF space. Would love to meet for coffee or drinks if anyone’s interested

like

Is there any requirement for Senior Software Engineer?
I am looking for a job change.

like

Where to find good pre-wedding event dresses? (Think bridal shower, bachelorette). Excluding Lulus and Asos

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Anyone have any insight as to how many hours are acceptable to bill annually at Kirkland?

like

If you are working with a recruiter, what is a reasonable amount of time to wait after the recruiter applies to a position(s) for you before you start to question things? I know this depends on firm response time - just curious how long I should be waiting before I ask what’s up.

like

How many associates in big law actually want to make partner?

like

Any intel on Akerman billable requirement?

like

First year: How do you get back up off the mat after you’ve had a pretty bad day—clients, Partners, etc upset with you even though you did your best given the extreme speed required? I realize tomorrow is a new day, but feeling really shitty.

like

Reasons to use Lexis over Westlaw?

like

Is it okay that I’ve been a slow junior as we’re hours away from closing? I’m trying to be proactive and available to cross things off the list but I’m SLOW: takes me long enough that they do it themselves (even though this wasn’t an issue earlier in the deal) and even on quick tasks or emails, they respond to it before I can click send. There’s also so much about closing that I don’t understand and I feel like I’m bothering the higher-ups on the team whenever I ask. *end anxiety post*

like

Lateral here probably not making hours. So frustrated but it was a very slow ramp up period and I was so burned out from my previous firm. 😩 worries about how to address in my review if it comes up.

likesmart

Do you plan on living in NY forever? It doesn’t look like it’s easy to raise children or be old in this city.

likesmart

Gunderson for tech trans. Thoughts? Referrals? SoCal

like

Anyone know anything about Frankfurt Kurnit Trademark and Branding Group??? Considering a lowball offer but would like to know about office vibes...thanks in advance!!!

like

What should you prepare for a transactional lateral conflicts check? Do you have to have prepare a deal sheet for every deal you worked in?

like

Anyone else hoping for that H1B this year?

like

I don't know who needs to hear this, but I have a few former classmates and colleagues sweating over lateral interviews. Take a deep breath and relax.

First, doing these interviews does not define you as a person.

Second, take it one day at a time; if they are moving forward, they see something in you.

Third, remember that the people interviewing you are human beings. Connect with them, be personable.

like

How hard is it to get a job at a plaintiff firm like RGRD etc out of biglaw and how much do they pay?

like

Got COVID from attending firm conference, wish I could get some billable hour credits…

like

If I am hunting for a job, is BCG Attorney Search actually worth working with? They seem to be everywhere, but something about them seems scammy.

likefunny

Some of you really only bill 17/1800 hours? Are you just busy doing non-billable work or you just don’t have enough work coming to you? If it’s because you don’t have enough work does that mean you have your evenings and weekends to yourself too? Could you maybe help the rest of us out who never get either?

likefunny

Hanging v. not hanging diplomas in office?

like

Interviewing and if an office doesn’t have standing desks by now, I can’t do it. Is that too bougee? Are there many big law firms that still don’t have this?

likefunny

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal