Is it a fail of character leaving biglaw? I want to leave, but despite the constant stress and suffering, I can’t avoid feeling like it’s my fault or that maybe I’m over exaggerating how I feel. All my colleagues feel ridiculously happy, I’m the grinch one that’s never enjoying the grind (but the grind is hard and competitive, very competitive) :( any thoughts? Is there future after quitting biglaw so young?

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

It’s not a fail of character to not like something and not want to do it anymore!! If anything it’s a fail of character to hate something and keep doing it because you are worried about societal opinions!!!!

like

omg OP i know exactly what you’re talking about. pre-covid i thought I was the one taking crazy pills for hating this job bc my co-workers all seemed SO happy and eager to be in the office all the time (the type that think pulling all nighters is a badge of honor). take a step back and look around - the world is run by the 1% who are workaholics/attach their self worth to their careers and thats fine, but it’s also absolutely ok to be part of the 99% that prioritizes everything else other than work. ive become perfectly ok with and happy about riding the coattails of others’ hard work!

like

There are a multitude of legitimate reasons people leave big law. Many of them have nothing whatsoever to do with your character. For one, the answer may just be a vacation or time off. It may also just be that the particular firm you're at just isn't for you.

But I've known many people to move on to greener pastures and not only find much more happiness but also, in some cases, financial success beyond what would've been available as a senior associate or partner. Do what makes you happy, not doing so would be the failure of character in my opinion.

like

Your coworkers are probably not as happy as you think they are. And absolutely no choice you make or they make for that matter, about where you want to work, is a failure of character.

It’s a job. You are more than what you do for a living.

like

I've heard this called the duck phenomenon (or something like that) before: everyone maintains a calm and pleasant demeanor above the water's surface, but is actually paddling furiously underneath.

like

Leaving any job is not a fail of character. Your job is not the measure of your worth. There is just so much more to life. Get a grip because comparison is the thief of joy and you don’t want to make yourself miserable over choosing your happiness. Your job doesn’t have to be the source of passion or joy (unless that actually works for you).

likesmart

That’s what I’m going through now :(

like

I felt this way majorly (and still do at times) for having left biglaw recently for in house. Somehow think less of myself because I couldn't handle more of the biglaw grind/didn't want to handle it anymore... appreciate everyone's thoughts and perspectives here, including OPs to get this started

like

I’m leaving after only a year or so. I’ve never been so bored and full of existential dread. I find the work incredibly meaningless.

like

all Big Law work or just a particular niche... would it be more meaningful if you were working for clients in a particular industry you are passionate about?

Go in house

Not at all. It’s a very hard career and not for everyone. I don’t know anyone who’s really “happy” doing it, although some do enjoy it and find happiness in other aspects of their lives as well. There’s plenty of ways to be a lawyer outside of biglaw.

Related Posts

Lawyers in Public Accounting, what have your non-public accounting job experiences been like? If you’re currently in public accounting, are you happy where you’re at or do you aspire to do something different? I’m always curious to hear about career paths.

like

At McK does integrative = generalist? Or are practice aligned consultants also integrative

like

Hi Fishes, How is CIO Advisory Cloud Team in KGS ? How are the growth opportunities, WLB being with the Cloud Advisory team? Is it worth joining?

Position interviewed for: Cloud Architect , YOE: 5 KPMG KGS

like

Strategy at a large tech company (like Adobe, TikTok, ServiceNow, Cisco) or MBB consulting coming out of an MBA? At an M7 and both look like likely options.

likehelpful

Can anyone provide some guidance to taking the CFE? As in which membership option to choose from followed by when exactly can we take the exam, if the entire amount is reimbursed or not? Just a generic timeline and additional required info. Don’t want to sign up yet if the exam dates are not flexible. Thank you.

like

Hello! I’m a recently graduated MSc Criminology student looking for work. I don’t know where to start or what I’m even looking for, but I’m generally interested in criminology, cyber security (no coding experience) & doing research. I’m very social and friendly and enjoy working with people, would also like hybrid work so I can work from home at times.. Any tips as to which roles I should look for? Any specific companies I should look into? (Preferably UK based, but open to most of EU)

Career Choice: Valuation Consultant vs. International Tax Associate. Pros and Cons ? Which will you prefer ? Exit opportunities ?

Best groups/roles to exit to at Apple?

like

I come from a pure healthcare background and have minimal finance skills/experience. Want to eventually get in healthcare investing in a MM PE fund.

Is there anyway that I can start to make moves on this, while at my Big 4? Who are the best types of folks to reach out to at my Big 4?

Anything I should get smart on? Websites, podcasts, books to read?

like

How is Prescient Healthcare Group as a firm? What is WLB like? What do senior roles at director level look like? Professionalism? Brand? Compensation?

like

Hi all, my name is Alex and I just joined the bowl :)
Im graduating in may with a BS in Industrial Engineering. Ive also held a Data Analyst Internship for 1 year with a small construction company. Anyone have advice where this combination of education and experience would make me most competitive in terms of roles/companies?

like

What are the skills required to sustain in Pharma/ Healthcare Analytics in the long term?

like

I’m an L6 SDM at Amazon but a Meta recruiter sent me an M2 sdm job description. I have all the XP I need from previous job experience but does Meta keep your same level as Amazon? Meaning if I am an L6 at Amazon am I automatically interviewing at M1 or can I jump to an M2?Amazon Facebook (Meta)

like

I have 13+ yoe in java, springboot, microservucrs, which cloud I should learn aws, azure or gcp

like

Joined a new firm at the start of this year but it’s not a good fit and I want to leave for a different role type. Will it look bad to potential employers if I leave this company after 6 months? I was with my prior employer for 2.5 years before this.

like

Yoe: 3.5 Tech stack: .NET+Angular I hold 2 offers: Hitachi Energy (Chennai) - 12.5F+2.5V Siemens Healthineers (Bengaluru) - 16.5F+1JB+1.5RB Which is best in terms of wlb, hikes and growth?

like

Looking to finally go get my SPHR having the PHR for the past 6 years. Still value and pursuing and obtaining?

like

Anyone here who made the exit from Big 4/MBB consulting to a VC? If so, I’d love to hear about how the experience is so far. (Not to mention the WLB and comp!) I’m considering a career change but have no one in my network I can go to for insights. Thx! 🙏🏾

like

How do I get a job at a startup? I have an accounting/finance background, but don’t enjoy that work and want to get into the startup space (been interested for years).

like

Are skills in MDM on the rise? What technical skills should be learned in addition to create a transferable skill set?

like

More Posts

Open to positions in corp communications. Internal and external. Location - chennai. Please share any leads.

like

Good morning from Charlotte! Have a GREAT day everyone.

likeuplifting

I just need some Brugal rum, Aventura or Romeo Santos songs on repeat all night…

like

Starting the job search soon, how do you go about working with a recruiter? Is it more likely that I will get a better salary if I work with one?

like

Anyone had good multiple offers and had one the hiring managers pressure you into taking the offer after asking for additional time to think about it?

like

Loving the green

Post Photo
like

People I am looking for a Job in Web App security, Penetration testing Asap! I have 3 years of consulting experience, I am on H1b only 3 weeks left to find a job. Any help would be really appreciated!

Any mass hiring happening for freshers??????

like

My new year's resolution is to drink draft Heineken (coming soon I hear) on a KLM flight to AMS

like

Hi fishes, How will the below assessment in hexaware
DA_ Selenium_Java_Automation Testing_HTD_2021

It was scheduled for tomorrow.
My experience in 2.11 years in automation testing

like

Hi all

I am getting mails to report to office.
My base location does not have a hot seat.

Should this not be the focus from HR side to get a seat allocated rather than pushing employees to report to a random office that have a seat.?

And On top of that we have to take care of our own commute even when we are in shifts.

Why is this unprofessional and unethical behaviour?
Why is an employee responsible for everything which the HR and PMO is supposed to do??

like

Asshole move by Microsoft to turn office into subscription service

like

Male.35. 5’3. I go to the gym regularly. Any advice on improving my chances on dating apps and real life from the ladies.

like

Please help.. Need your suggestions.
#6.5 yoe
Got an offer with Honeywell and Standard Chartered Bank. Both are 22 LPA and Bangalore.
Which one gives the more job security. I'm looking for a long term. Please help 🙏

Hello. Does anyone know what is the pay for a junior and senior Data Engineer - Web Scraper in @Certik ?

like

Any recommendations for an anime from the manga? I recently saw the whole Naruto saga, and I have to say that I underestimated this genre a lot. I am a producer, and thanks to this my mind has been totally opened. Now I want more knowledge about this culture.

like

For some time now, series about the pre-end of the world time is becoming more and more popular, this is the case with "The Handmaid's Tales" it has a perfect image design, characters with a perfectly defined background, and the ability to represent a totally possible pre-apocalyptic world. It has it all. Any other series with these features?

like

Any good tips on keeping up an exercise/workout routine during busy season? I find it really helps me stay balanced

like

When does pwc ac payout bonuses and any expectations on this year's bonus?

like

Hello Fishes, I have cleared both Technical and Manager rounds in Infosys. I have total experience of 3 years and relevant experience of 2.9 years in Java Full stack development. Currently holding an offer of 13LPA and ctc is 7.8 LPA.

Please help me regarding how much ctc I can expect/ask from Infy?

Thanks in advance.!

Infosys Tata Consultancy Cognizant

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Is there a list of firms that don’t have hours requirements?

like

Explain to me like I’m 5. Why does the monthly billable hours goal on things like Intellistat change month to month. I’m not hitting hours this year. Last month goal was 158. This months goal is 180.

A partner I work for keeps asking for ETA's on assignments I have already submitted to the senior associate on the deal for review. Does it sound like I'm throwing the senior associate under the bus if I say I have already submitted to senior associate and am waiting for feedback? I feel like the partner will get upset at me even more if my answer sounds like I haven't submitted the assignment to the senior associate yet.

like

What y’all taking? Ogletree, Fisher Phillips, Lewis Brisbois, Littler, or Jackson Lewis? Location is not my concern, overall rep based upon the names. Please put in order.

like

Lol a client just emailed saying they want to sign a $1.5bn deal (we are sell side) not at some point before or by, but rather ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

What the hell is wrong with people?

likefunny

What should your realization rate be as a first year? I have not gotten any negative feedback but my realization rate seems...bad

like

Anyone else at a firm with a fiscal year starting November 1 in limbo with hours? I've hit my bonus hours but there's no way to hit the next bonus level in just a month so I'm just gonna give the firm like 180 free hours...

like

What are newly minted nonequity comps like at V10, V50, V100 firms?

like

Name the most ridiculous micro-managing by partners that you experience.

I’ll go first: MP told me that on initial emails, I am always to start with “Hello [name],” but after the initial email, I am not to address her by name again in the same thread. Initial greeting can only be “Hello [name] ” because just first name is too brisk and a “Hi [name]” is too informal. Had a 5 minute, in depth conversation as to why she prefers it this way…

likefunny

Have you ever taken or seen someone take mental health leave (medical leave)? How long did they take?

like

Any insight on Brewer (either office, generally curious about the firm). I assume comp after year 1 is discretionary, rather than lock-step, given the size of the firm. Would appreciate happiness, horror stories, of whatever “firm culture” falls between the two. DM me if you don’t want to share publicly.

like

Random partner asked a litigation-related question to a partner I frequently work with (i’m a transactional associate). My partner cc’d me and said for me to briefly look. Asked the library. They got me a great case. Sent it back. Now the random partner is asking for more cases in another circuit.

I haven’t done caselaw research since 1L and this isn’t even my practice… wtf do I do (I am fully utilized in my normal work and have a few deals closing soon…)

like

How do you get good at thinking on your feet? I find I always need time to think and analyse before being able to answer client queries (even those that are considered simple by others). I don't want to rush and get it wrong. I avoid phone calls for this reason which isn't great when you're in the service industry so it's starting to impact my career.

like

Can anyone please advise on Sullivan & Worcester? Is it comparable to Big Law in terms of salary/quality of work and quality of life?

like

Does anyone use blue light glasses? Do they help? I get headaches almost every day and I’m sure it’s because I’m glued to the screen all day. Wondering how to alleviate them without popping 4 ibuprofens a day.

like

If you take vacation, is the onus on you to make up that billable time? If so, how do you enjoy long vacations?

likefunny

What monetary goal/target are you telling yourself to hit before quitting big law?

like

My least favorite reason to be working into Saturday evening is because the partner is not good at their job.

11am: you do B, C, D and I'll handle A. 6pm: please go ahead and get started on A.

likefunny

About to finish my first year. I’m a specialist. Only going to hit 65% of my hours (took a 4 week vacation cause of wedding/hm).

I never say no to work and i have fantastic reviews, and the head of my practice (with whom I work a lot for) has great things to say about me.

I’ve been fully utilized starting ~June, but first few months were slow. Am i fine?!

like

As a first year - if you like working with a particular partner a lot, is it a good idea to just volunteer for all the work they have for you to do, or is it better to try to get a balance of different work from the practice group? Not trying to come off like Incrediboy.

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