Have any of you switched from being an associate to being a staff attorney? I’m in big law coming back from maternity leave and I just don’t think I have what it takes to succeed as an associate anymore.

Don’t take a pay cut to do the same work as everyone else.

I know someone who did this and regretted it because it was essentially the same hours and pressure, but for a third of the pay. The work was also lower-quality (mostly doc review), and the role was unfortunately poorly-respected within the firm. The calculus likely differs based on the firm and how it structures its staff attorneys.

You may be better off trying a city or state government job, public interest, or in-house. Also consider going part-time as an associate.

The problem is that once you have the stigma of being a staff attorney, it’s hard later to transition back to better jobs. And your skill development stops when all you do is doc review, e-discovery etc. Plus — AI will replace staff attorneys before long. Endangered species.

Yes! I am also a mother. At my firm, one of the top big law firms, staff attorneys get less work than associates and it’s alot less stressful. I’m on the litigation team so now sure how it would be for transactional work.

Why not quiet quit while you look for something else. Say no to a couple of things if you have to, work the hours you want to work.

You have the same education, experience, and skillset as you did when you went out. Please don’t let them pay you less. At least give yourself a few months of adjusting before making a decision.

It’s better to shift to a counsel role, which is typically still partner track. This is likely an option, unless you’re a very junior associate.

Does your firm do reduced FTE? Reducing my required hours has been a lifesaver. My reduction in pay is proportionate and I get a true up payment at the end of the year for any hours over my requirement.

Go in house. Especially if you’re at a big law firm, figure out how to do a secondment with a client, try it out and if you like it figure out how to stay. There are secondment opportunities available if you talk to the right partners the right way. It’s great for mothers with young kids because it lets you try out in-house at your normal salary without making the commitment immediately when you’re adjusting to family life. If you like it, then you might be able to stay or you have the in-house experience that so many hiring attorneys in-house want you to have. If you don’t like it, then you go back to the firm with new connections and your kids are a little older and easier, no harm done.

Yes I did .. and I didn’t take a pay cut. They were awesome enough to pay my worth. Find a good firm with good ethics