Have an offer to move to a new firm. Current and new are “biglaw” but black box comp/not lockstep. New firm would be significant salary/reputation bump. I would work closely with a former partner colleague, so not starting from scratch. However, I’d be limited to one practice area. New firm wants decision ASAP but I have a late stage interview at a second new firm, also “biglaw” black box. Second firm also has a partner I used to work closely with but more flexible practice areas. What do I do?

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I don’t see the ability to work in multiple practice areas as a big draw, as long as you’re OK with the practice area you might be pigeonholed in. I would take the bird in the hand offer and go out to celebrate.

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Thanks! New firm 1 would be general commercial lit. So if needed in future I would have to argue specific cases/clients if I wanted to switch areas. Not impossible but not ideal. New firm 2 would be general lit, white collar and gov investigations with some transactional mixed in. Potentially easier in house path or specialization if I want to change later. But no read on firm 2 salary etc.

Which partner do you prefer?

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Unfortunately no strong preference, both great to work with and very understanding of time. I’d be working directly for Partner at new firm 1. I would do some matters with Partner at new firm 2 but also be more spread out. I’d say partner 1 will give me the reins more/let me run things and get more experience, but partner 2 will give more oversight if I needed help.

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I wouldn’t want to work in multiple practice areas for career purposes. Seems interesting and might help prepare for some in-house generalist roles, but most paths to success in biglaw will require having a defined practice area.

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