Horrible anxiety about considering a new job....
I was one of the big firm stealth layoffs in covid and joined a boutique firm in Sept. They came sort of close to matching my salary but I moved to SoCal and have an opportunity to jump back in to big law and get $100k raise. The people at the small firm are so nice, but hours are nuts and if I’m going to work this much, I might as well get paid more, right? Is it too soon? How do you tell them when the managing partner took you under his wing?

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

100k raise your work just as much as you are working now? Do it.

like

Do it!!! Do it!!! Am going through the same thing! Do it by faith!!!

like

Ahh good luck! Crazy times!

like

It’s definitely a hard pill to swallow to be working big law hours without the big law pay. It’s a tough one but sounds like you know in your heart what to do!

like

100k is a lot of money. It is not quite as simple as “if I’m working a lot, I might as get paid more,” though. Have to consider a number of other items: what do you want for your career, and would switching firms be a step in the right direction? If you have a “next step” like in-house or government in mind, your current firm might be the better choice if it affords you more opportunities and you want a cleaner resume. What happens if biglaw doesn’t work out a second time? With a couple of recent jumps, you’ll be staking an awful lot on being happy enough in the next job to stick around for a while, and being lucky enough that your firm/group doesn’t have a downturn where you get pushed out. How crazy are you now versus the likely 24/7 all hands on deck responsiveness requirements of biglaw? Etc.

Ultimately only you can weigh these factors. If the money is enough to outweigh potential negatives, don’t feel bad about leaving. You only have one life.

like

Do you *need* the extra money? If not, might not be worth the switch to leave a good work environment. Working with bad bosses can be so mentally draining.

like

Hahah thanks I think I’m really trying to have someone tell me I’m not an awful person 🤦🏻‍♀️

All great points. I’m the youngest at this boutique so if there’s a downturn, I’m definitely the first one out here as well. Same exact job in big law, same practice group, etc. I would probably lose a year/two on partnership track, but that’s ok. Let’s just say the anxiety level is at a 11/10 today, 115 emails because I took a 1.5 hour CLE. Ridiculous.

like

Oh boy - I mean you might as well get paid if it's going to be that hectic. Big law firms are hit and miss based on the partner/group you are in. They have a really big impact on if you stay or leave.

Just do it. There is no reason to be working all the time for 6 figures less (is that base? Or base plus bonus?) than you could be making elsewhere. Explain to the managing partner you really appreciate their training and mentorship and never planned to leave so soon but the pay delta is just too much for you to justify turning down. They will understand. It’s all business. Try and do them a solid by referring matters back sometimes that are not the right fit for your biglaw firm.

Plus September to June is a respectable 10 months that you can round up to a year. 😂 When it comes up in the future you can easily explain it as the job you took following an unexpected covid recession layoff. It happens every recession, no shame in it. Look at the resume of anyone who graduated pre 2007 and you’ll probably see some bumpy sections in the 2008-2012 range.

like

Related Posts

Hello Fishes,

I have been offer a 70k euros as base salary + bonus + visa sponsorship+ relocation allowance almost 8k euros for a MNC in Ireland. I have 7.4 years of experience. Kindly guide me if the offer is decent or I can renegotiate for a higher offer!?

Stack - cyber security
Domain - automobile

like

When you say your salary jumped __x, how is that exactly calculated?

Mine was $16k (minimum wage before joining corporate) > $40k (contractor total before getting laid off) > $150k (current FT)?

Is that a 260% jump or 2.6x from $16k to $40k?
And a 375% jump or 3.75x from $40k to $150k?

Or do I calculate it by hourly rate?

like
like

Hi All, currently I have overall 4yrs+ experience with 7.5 lacs package and have gotten an opportunity with JP Morgan.
What should be my salary expectation?

like

Hey everyone,
Is there any portal for IBM ex-employee where they can raise their concern or requests?

like

Hi All,
Need help.
My salary was 3.1L until march 2022 and then post promotion 4.5L. I am serving notice period currently and I recieved a mail to submit Actual Investment Proof. What does it mean please help I am not getting clear idea. Should I file ITR with this salary?
Thanks in advance.

Currently have Series 24, 7, 63,65

Currently work in a very unique Wealth Management ops role.

Getting paid 85k base with 40k in bonus plus about 35k~ in OT.

Money isn’t everything but in my late 20s it feels like the only thing important right now.

WLB is next to zero as 60hr weeks are the minimum as of late. Management feels like they are trying to push a few of us out. Was told not to expect much come year end for comp. Any suggestions on finding a new role/pay expectations?

like

Anyone work as or been offered a position for an associate product engineer at Target Corporation? The Glassdoor salaries are way higher than my offer and I’m trying to determine what is accurate.

like

How is partnership pay determined across service lines? Do partners in consulting get more units than let’s say audit ?

like

Thinking of making a switch. How much should I ask for when interviewing for a GPS Advisory Manager I position?

As we know cyber security is hot hot hot, I’m currently earning 30k as a junior cyber security consultant in uk going to be asking raise soon and wondering what should I be aiming for?

likehelpful

Aws L6 in BD, NYC area salary?

like

Hi Fishes,

I am S4 ABAP developer having 9+ years of experience. I have HR round today. How much should I negotiate with HR. What's the standard package given by Wipro for 9+ years exp. Please guide.

like
like

Hi fishes,

What are the roles and responsibilities of Manager in
Morgan Stanley

I have 2.5YOE and I have been offered this role.
Also can someone tell me the salary range for Manager in Morgan Stanley

What should be the expected CTC for a program manager with 16+ years of exp?

like

Any idea on the salary band for Senior Consultant (Manager) at EY Parthenon London?

like

So, will we get revised salaries with May salary or June ?

like

What is a fair salary for a Nurse Manager?

like

More Posts

What is the average salary in a HCOL for an Advisory associate? Transferring over from tax with two years of tax experience so I’m assuming experienced associate.

like

What’s a a good salary range in Amsterdam for a senior producer?

like

Cost-efficient and effective laser hair removal recommendations?

like

Any brokers/property managers that can help me find a no fee apartment??

like

Thinking of getting a peloton. Anyone actually experience weight loss and overall health improvement from having one?

I make excuses for not going to the gym and the number 1 being convenience so I figure if it’s in my actual home then I have no excuses!

Be nice, thanks! 😊

like
likefunny

You guys getting pizza parties?

Post Photo
funny

How long do you really think you’ll stay in advertising? What does your career trajectory look like? I was recently asked and it took me by surprise for a second tbh. The most obvious answer was “work my way up to CD.” But what about becoming a super seasoned and experienced creative forever? 🤷‍♀️

like

Hi! I recently applied to TCS and ended up appearing twice for Java technical interview (TCS RIG & TCS IoT DE) and cleared both. Now I need to fill up details on iBegin before HR discussion. Am I going to lose my job opportunity?

For RIG I applied through recruiter. For IoT DE I was contacted by an HR saying that it's no problem appearing for another interview unless i hear feedback from 1st one.

Please help guys!

I’m a junior AD and constantly staying late to design web pages, social posts, emails, and HR internal projects. Feel dead inside. Is this just life as a junior? My first full time gig

like
like

26F. Feeling a bit lost with the dating scene in the city. I know this is an oft discussed topic on this bowl but feeling more and more disconnected with men in the city. Anybody else feel this way? How do you get over it?

like

Anyone willing to refer? Looking to exit industry? Location constraint: Bangalore, India.

like

Any golfers here? Relatively new to Austin and starting to get back into regular play. Been playing at Falcon Head, always looking regulars to avoid the constant randoms.

like

You'd be down 60% if you bought bitcoin with this person. Thanks for playing.

Post Photo
likefunny

Any recommendations about negotiating comp for s3-m1 during the discussion with partner ? Is it looked down upon to bring up a competing offer (if any) and use it as leverage ? Or should you talk(cont

like

Google keyboard for iPhones is pretty cool, but mega annoying in the wrong hands.

like

Just got my wisdom teeth extracted yesterday. The pain is unbearable. Help!!!

likefunny

Additional Posts in Law

Curious to know what other firm's bonus structures are, particularly those with billable requirements of 1900 and below. Trying to understand what the norm is and figure out if associates at my firm are getting screwed. thanks

like

Can an attorney attend a board/shareholders annual/special meeting? The attorney reps a shareholder. Any right to this?

likefunny

Anyone else feel like work/billable hours gets in their way of taking care of their life? Hate having to choose between working to keep up with billables and taking care of my life whether that's the gym or whatever else. Feel like I never have enough time for both.

like

Watching sports shows talk about "assault" after helmet gate is torture. It makes me regret going to law school.

like

Anyone else having one of those days where you just can’t seem to do anything right? I’m dropping balls left and right here

like

Didn't realize until I got home for the holidays, but apparently the "war on christmas" is still a thing

likehelpful

How realistic is getting a dog as a junior associate?

like

Shout out to @nonequitypartner. We see you. Keep up the good work, and pls fix, thx.

likefunnysmart

I’m a 5th year associate in big law. I’ve always kept partnership in mind as an option, but last year I spent some time thinking about the future of my career and think I may want to go in-house (although I haven’t completely ruled out partnership). What should I be focusing my time on in the next couple of years? For IH counsel who transitioned from big law, what are some things you wish you had done before leaving big law? And where should I look to get a feel for the types of jobs out there?

like

What’s average salary in ID firm mid size (NY) about 350 attorneys ? Class of 2019 but was in public sector (criminal law) for 2 years! 2000 billable hours minimum

like

Does anyone work in a very volume based area of law (i.e. insurance defense, workers comp) but have partners who are perfectionists to an absurd degree? How do you manage to get your billing in when everything always has to be revised?

like

Is four suits enough?

likefunny

I joined fishbowl a month ago and while I’ve seen a couple contentious debates but I must say I’m pleasantly surprised at how respectfully ppl comment on this app even when disagreeing. Usually anonymity on the internet brings out the absolute worst in ppl; they type things anonymously that they would NEVER say in person smh. But I really haven’t seen horrible comments here. I wonder what makes this app diff frm others?

like

Best way to reduce taxes on severance pay? Receiving bonus and severance, tips for saving money. Open to charity etc. I’m afraid that most of this will go into taxes. I will max out my IRA.

like

tfw you realize you could have earned just as much money as a high-end lsat tutor

like

Is there recent data on average billable hour requirements by firm size and salary? It looks like NALP and what pops up online are outdated.

likehelpful

Anyone know of a resource to locate the history of comments to a section of the restatement, something akin to legislative history for a statute?

like

Just found out I will be taking two depositions in the near future. These are not key witnesses but I am still nervous. I’ve only been licensed since October of last year and still feel like I have no clue what I’m doing half the time. Any deposition tips?

like

Transactional junior associate in biglaw. Working for a dedicated practice group rather than in an associate pool. For the past few months, I’ve been loaned to another practice group for a good chunk of time. While the people are decent and the hours aren’t terrible, I detest the work and don’t see a future in this new practice. My main partner says it should end in the next month, but I don’t expect that to happen. Is it a terrible idea to ask to be taken off?

like

Is there a market for lawyers to add expertise In crisis management or reputation management? My goal is to counsel clients on how to respond to media inquiries without saying or posting something detrimental to a potential litigation while still maintaining communication with their client base. If so, how to break into that industry? Courses? Books? Certifications?

like

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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