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Just take the title and stop overthinking this.
Chief
Agree. It’s just a title change. Everyone knows junior partners are…junior. Nothing changes by declining the title change. You will have the same work and likely the same expectations.
Also, there’s no way to turn down the title change under these circumstances. What are you going to say “I don’t want to be partner because I want to do a worse job?”
Just do your best.
Don’t walk away from partnership because you “don’t feel ready.” That’s just the imposter syndrome talking. If you don’t want to be partner, that’s a real reason. But if the only thing holding you back is some internal narrative that you’re not prepared, I’d just ignore that nonsense. The partners wouldn’t even put you in the conversation, let alone elevate you, if they didn’t think you were ready to be partner.
Sounds like imposter syndrome. And either you’re not an imposter and you’re actually good at the job and qualified, or you are an imposter and you have them totally fooled so take advantage while you can! I have to tell myself that sometimes - if I’m an imposter I’m at least really good at that so may as well keep going.
What comes with the partnership role that would add to your plate?
Don’t turn it down
Do you get along well with the partnership generally? It may be that they prefer you over someone else who is better at the job but they dislike, or other strategic reasons. If they elect you, you are ready for whatever they have in store for you. Ultimately, no junior partner is choosing its own path, not in biglaw at least.
It’s great to be an equity partner when things are good. When things are bad the associates get paid. The partners don’t.
Don’t turn it down unless you have legitimate concerns about the buy-in and the firm as a whole, which is an entirely separate, and rare, set of considerations. If it is just insecurity and imposter syndrome, don’t let that stop you. Nobody has this completely figured out when they are a senior associate. Trust the trust that the firm has in you.
Recommend me for the role instead. Where am I moving to?
It’s a non equity partner I presume? If so, that’s just a title change.
accept or quit
It really depends on what the partnership looks like. As many others have said, non-equity is a lot like senior associate. Equity is a whole other ballgame.
However, in either case, you should know what you’re going into and what that looks like, especially compensation-wise. Sometimes partners are structured completely differently in respect to comp.
You should also have a clear understanding of what responsibilities look like with the title, and what the next step is.
If you’re genuinely not in a good place right now, and after the conversation about what partnership looks like you still feel like it would overwhelm you, I think it’s totally fair to say “I deeply appreciate the consideration, but I need another year to get myself to a place where I can take on those responsibilities.” If it is truly a partnership, then your law partners should want you to succeed and grow. If it’s just a pipeline and this would throw you off it, that’s information too.
And if you’re really struggling to decide, think about how you would counsel your best client if they came to you with this problem.
If you’re concerned about your ability to actually do the job, that’s imposter syndrome. Take the promotion. Now, if you don’t actually want the responsibilities and BS that come along with being a partner, walk away. I went in-house 6 months out from my promotion, no regrets. I saw the partners and decided as a mid-level associate that I did not want that life.
Nothing will change overnight. Just the title. Take the role and if it’s undoable, immediately start looking for in-house. The partner title will help convey you didn’t wash out.
https://www.amazon.com/The-Imposter-Cure-audiobook/dp/B07P5FVZQJ/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1IQYZL3H0D4PC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b2da0ZNYhEiBo9Gdz7ug9Av_WFzDnIzjv0qGeWUaxct-oQ-I_luXxQlEL7ihtzjwB7Tvx6bfs-wdfNTh3L2POBb70h6olcFOdfL6c8eYujeMbLQZRtv4ikpfliRG37CLc3YgU9TaMOmSZcQFCCV0SkQIbtpsEWLT0hwB2huY6IPPPWaB54wJWPIcc-kfQQDbaqR38rj97-zwHeVE1lDY-gz8EDLtvEvJzPba7OIq65PBPUqRJ3wp4bToo6AYcQO3zM6PNOTv3r-1Z4qe7cncVW9BfBCqNnqQwd09_z0jZH4.sbSA6W_YwAWjkKH-pXBmhCShzBABHfq6RYL_YC9DvfA&dib_tag=se&keywords=imposter+syndrome+book&qid=1764190173&sprefix=imposter%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-7
You don't. And respectfully, you should probably also get a psychiatrist to work out some of these feelings.
How? Just tell them. But don’t do that.
Not to be rude, but how did you make it to the point where you feel this way and it wasn’t perceived by the current partnership — to the extent where they’re still going ahead to put you up?
You should definitely wait until you feel ready. Also, don’t get married, have children, buy a place, buy a car, go on a roller coaster, try a new restaurant, travel outside the country…..
Don't sell yourself short. They wouldn't be making you partner if they didn't think you could do it. I assume the bosses have been doing this for a lot longer than you and they know what they are doing, Take the compliment.