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I think if you’re fine with AM law you should just stay. A better opportunity may come later. Also, at the smaller firm, as a partner Would you be entitled to a portion of fees collected on matters you didn’t originate?
It sounds like AM law firm is safer financially. But you still need to worry about layoffs /being pushed out there.
Attorney 1, certainly a difference but I say billed/collected because at both firms I’ve been at I’ve hovered around a 98% realization rate.
If you go with them, go as their equal not their subordinate. Otherwise, stay put like other comments have said. Don’t over think it, follow your gut
The 4th firm over 6 years doesn't raise too many red flags to me (as it could equate to a new firm every 2 years). Jumping around a lot early on is common. However, if you're worried about the new firm (thinking you might not want to stay 2 years) then it could be an issue unless your able to lateral back to one of your prior firms.
I say this as a person how has spent 2 years and a couple months at each of my last two jobs and coming up on my 2 year mark currently and contemplating jumping ship (so I am biased).
This has become less of an issue as the attorneys who were licensed over the past five years take work/life balance to heart, and have a different view of staying with a law firm than in the past (do not "job hop," pay your dues, billable hours).
Continued:
There are two lawyers from my prior firm that are great trial attorneys who have since left my former firm to go to another local area firm. They have been there about 2 years and have had a lot of successful trial results in the last 12 months. They recently approached me about coming to their firm. They indicated that they want to try more cases and need a senior associate to assist. They said they are confident that they can “get where I want to be in terms of pay.” My question is, if I have a decent thing going, do I bother considering the opportunity?
The cons: That would be my 4th firm in just over 6 years (not a great optic in my opinion). They do not have as many resources as my current firm and when you get to partner level it is purely eat what you kill (a very straightforward formula to determine comp).
The pros: No billing requirement (but admittedly a similar workload). I get along and gel well with the two partners trying to recruit me. They also handle complex matters and go to trial often.
Thoughts?
From a litigator's standpoint, remember that you will either be in, or preparing for, trial for a large part of your year. This is a true grind, tiring, and continuously stressful, with trial preparation as almost as stressful as trial.
Depends a lot on politics. If you want to be and stay a partner and your current firm allows you to be a service partner indefinitely while you build your book and aim towards equity, stay. If the new firm is going to put you in an equity share at a defined point regardless of business, I’d jump ship. But basically if your goal is to be partner and staying partner long term requires you to build a book at either place, stay where you’re at. It will probably be easier to bring in business at a known quantity.