If you graduated law school 8 years ago and have 4 years of experience in a niche practice area from working in-house, and a Big Law firm offers you a position, what class year is appropriate? Note: never worked in Big Law.

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

If you can swing it financially and you want to be successful long term at the firm (vs a stepping stone to something else), I’d go with the lowest class year you can (perhaps with an acknowledgement that you can adjust after a year or two if appropriate). It is so much better to outperform low expectations than to have expectations (and a rate) set assuming that you can handle things that you can’t yet. Private practice is different and takes time to get used to, so take the longest runway you can. I’ve seen too many associates and counsel get caught in a downward spiral where they come from in house, their rate is set too high, they don’t get staffed on projects, so they don’t hit their hours, fall further behind and get pushed out after a year or two.

likehelpful

Thanks a lot! This is helpful.

you need to give specifics for anyone to be remotely useful here

like

Hi. I did this. Kinda. I’m 8 years out. Two year as compliance. 1 year practicing. I went in as a second year. This was 5 years ago. I am not trying to offend, but I would do 2/3 to best case exceed expectation and worse case to be right at where you supposed to be. Just fyi. I went back in house. Wasn’t great. Awesome training though. Also, you will have the stigma of being 8 years out. People will expect you to perform higher even though your class level is lower. Be prepared.

like

This was very helpful. Thank you!

like

Is the niche practice the same practice you’re doing at the firm? If so, possibly a 4th year, assuming some of the time after law school was spent at a firm.

like

Yes but I don’t have law firm experience so they want to bring me in at a low class year

Probably second year. At most a third.

like

There is almost zero percent chance a biglaw firm is going to make her a fourth year when she has total 4 years experience and none in biglaw.

like

OP has 8 years of experience.

My firm would probably bring you in as a second year

like

Third or fourth. You get 1 year credit for being an attorney. 1-2 years for your knowledge.

Related Posts

IBM vs. Accenture for SAP Functional?
In terms of
1. Good Work
2. Long Term Career
3. New Learnings
4. WLB
5. Job Security

like

McKinsey & Company Hey folks!
Was wondering what sort of life sciences projects does usually the Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey & Company take on?
Commercial, access and pricing, M&A, transformation, implementation? (all of them perhaps?)
Basically, what would someone with an LS background be mainly working on in these firms on a day-to-day basis?
Thanks!

like

Looking for full stack developer to join my early startup. We are a small team but hoping to grow a lot this year. Must love books and geeky stuff

like

What are the chances of Amazon (or FAANG in general) allowing you to apply/interview again for a position that you did not get in the past?

like

If an individual resides in CT and works in NY can we serve them in NY?

like

Any newly licensed attorneys looking to learn/practice family law?

like

I need to do a case prep. Let me know if anyone is available today or tomorrow? Based on ET

like

Please any one sharw their bigdata interview experience

If we are billable on project in nagarro do we need to worry about recession for now .
One more question:
What is nagarro planning how to handle recession:
Lay offs or salary cut or stop increment.

Please anyone from leadership reply

Globant India Pvt. Ltd. How long it takes for FnF settlement after LWD any idea ? This is for India Globant India Pvt. Ltd. Globant

Hello fishes, Wipro hr is not responding to my calls and mails as i have received LOI march 27 and gave joining date on april 27 till now they didnt sent me offer letter. So, when can i expect the offer letter from them.

Note: didnt tried to contact them from 1week as some people said you would receive it soon

So can i expect the offer letter this week?

like

Any good resume writers/designers. Bought a service through LinkedIn once and it ended up horribly

like

Hi fishers! I have offer and signed contract with Deloitte UK and my start day is in the beginning of April. I need skilled worker visa, and we haven’t applied yet for that. Screening and onboarding is in progress. Immigration team doesn’t reply since reached me out 1st time. How much time does it usually needed to go through the whole process? How many days take for visa to be approved since application?Deloitte

like

Accenture is in the full gear military recruitment season. I was hired on through the process a few years ago and it’s been great ever since. They have paths for officer and enlisted. DM if interested

likehelpful

Anybody have experience with PenFed for a VA loan? Came up in a search and their rates are extremely competitive. Any reason I shouldn't take the lowest bidder?

like

Hi All,

I am looking for job change in idam/cyberark/azure ad.
Please provide me mail ID so that I will forward my updated profile.

Thanks & Regards

helpful

Any moderate tennis players here (can pass back and forth) down to play tomorrow at 10 am?

like

I’m searching for a full time Sr Level Agency Producer in Raleigh. If you have any recos, please send them my way!

like

As healthcare worker trying to conceive how safe it. Is to take covid 19 vaccine ? Any suggestion will be helpful.. I am so confused

like

If dogecoin continues to moon and miners don’t step up their game, someone’s going to 51% attack the network and start stealing coins

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Anyone have an Echo device in their office? I really like having them at home but I’m not sure if I should have it at work.

like

Is the lateral market still hot? Any of you interviewing/ lateralling soon?

like

Lol so Bloomberg is basically saying “if you don’t match Cravath, you are a Toyota of the legal industry”. I guess there will be a fight over who is a Rav4 and who is a Camry lolol

Post Photo
likefunny

Anyone looking for a roommate in NYC? F. 31. Move-in date: May. Budget: flexible, but preferably around $3000 or less per person. Neighborhood: north of 14th street. Please DM me. Thanks!

like

I’m a first year that’s inching toward second year. Partners in my group say “sometimes getting thrown into the deep end is the best way to learn.” However, I feel so lost. I feel like saying the above is just an excuse for not wanting to take the time to actually teach new associates.

like

Hi boys & girls!

Joined a big firm (Big4) not long a go and starting to feel like I got a good grip on my current work.

I've always been very technical, so I think that the only thing I am missing now is making sales. (I really wanna make partner)

Can any seasoned lawyer share tips and materials (i.e. books) which can help?

Would it be a good idea to join a Social Club where potential clients spend time? (gym/tennis/paddel/events)

Any advice welcome!

like

Whats a bougie/hip gift from a friend you would appreciate?

like

Could someone explain the type of work and assignments that a first year in Capital Markets should expect?

like

Maybe I’m just realizing I’m lazy… but do y’all ever get assigned an actual, hard research or drafting project and realize you don’t like the effort? Like plz let me go back to doc review.

likefunny

I’ve seen this rant a lot so I know we all have that one partner—but for the love of god can you just forward me the emails when you get it?? I see you got this urgent request over 10 days ago 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

likefunny

Thoughts on Twitter hiring Wachtell for the Elon litigation? I don’t think of Wachtell as being my first call for big litigation matters.

likefunny

Do you always feel tired? How do you have energy for anything with this amount of work.

like

Has anyone used or heard about Flagstar Bank for mortgage? Seem to have a great program for JDs, wondering if anyone has any bad experiences or good experiences with them

like

When should a stub start getting worried about not having much work and low billable hours?
I’ve asked for work but no luck. I know they say this is normal for a stub but when should I start getting worried and consider looking for exit options? Fyi, I like my practice group, so I don’t want to change to a different group within my firm, hence would have to lateral, if I have to. Also, other co-1st years are churning in high hours.

like

What can a junior associate do about a mid-level that constantly asks questions about things they were cc’d on, sends dozens of piecemeal emails and is generally just super high strung and needs everything right away?? No other mid-levels I’ve worked with act this way and this individual I’m working with is driving me insane and I’ve spent countless hours attaching emails and saying “as explained in the attached email…”

like

Whats up with these rumors of six-figure associate bonuses at Skadden?

like

Am I the only person who gets skeptical when a recruiter calls, like did my law firm send you to see if I’m interested in making a move? 🤨 I may be paranoid, though. Lol

like

It’s looking bleak, but are any south florida firms hiring juniors for com lit positions?

like

Lateral that just went through first bonus season with the firm. Not in a major market but workload is comparable to major markets. Surprised at how low the bonus was. I received solid reviews and my annualized hours were well above the requirement. Should I approach anyone about this? Wondering if it is worth addressing or if it could compromise my standing. Thanks in advance!

like

What does it mean if there’s a NEP at the firm who’s been there for a long time (20+ years), but never got promoted to EP? Never held leadership roles too. Does it usually mean EPs does not like the NEP enough to get promoted?

The NEP has a book of business, though no idea how much it brings in.

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