If you could make $50k less but actually enjoy your practice area, would you take the trade? I know plenty of lawyers grinding out big paychecks but absolutely miserable in their day-to-day. At the same time, law is demanding even when you like the work, so part of me thinks maximizing comp is the only way to make the grind worth it.

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

Went in-house and took a decent pay cut. Fully remote company where boss openly encourages working from anywhere. PTO is unlimited and real. Don’t check my email at all while I’m out and he tells people they can wait for me or send directly to him to distribute out. He’s encouraging us to work a bit outside of 40 now so he can present to add another attorney. I’m so happy I left big law and feel so content. 10/10 would do again.

likesmart

This firm sounds like a DREAM

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Granted I came from midlaw, but when I went in house I took a massive pay bump for much less hours. Went from $160k base with $10k bonus working 50-60+ hours per week as a 4th year to now $225k base, $56k bonus plus an actual 401k match (6%) working 30-35 hours per week total as a 6th year.

likeuplifting

I took a 60k pay cut to change practice areas. Absolutely 0 regrets. My days are busy, but I don’t work past 6:30 or on weekends, and I actually love my day to day responsibilities. In my previous practice area, my clients were big companies, but now my clients are individuals. I am more empathetic to their demands and anxieties than I was when the company’s contact would ask for something ridiculous.

likesmart

Can I ask which area you moved from and what area you practise now? Currently at BigLaw (finance, 2 PQE) thinking of making a similar move to advise individuals but not sure where to start and how to get relevant experience. thanks!

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It depends on what salary you’re reducing.
If you’re talking about being paid less than a biglaw salary for better WLB/enjoyability…absolutely. Those inflated salaries are essentially handcuffs anyway.
But if you mean reducing a more modest salary just at or below $100k…that would depend greatly on how far
outside of my passion the job is. If I’m working in law in some capacity there are some aspects of it that are just demanding and inevitably stressful. It’s not a profession that I think can be fairly compensated if it’s just at the median salary for the country. But if I’m considering taking a pay cut due to overwhelming stress it’s probably worth considering and it’s probably doable.

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Yes. 1000%

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Took an even bigger pay cut (500k to 150k), and would say it’s still worth it. I actually get to spend time with my family and enjoy my weekends. That’s priceless.

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Without a doubt. Life is too short to not feel fulfilled.

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