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I have been working in the construction industry for 2 years under a general contractor. I am wanting to get into consulting and my ideal role would be something like an Associate in Major Projects Advisory with KPMG. I’m curious to know which firms/companies have positions and departments like the one mentioned that I could apply for?
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It is a normal decision for a small firm or solo. Other practice groups can benefit your clients and your own origination. Your skills can be marketed more broadly and benefit the clients of others. The "price" is giving up control (or bringing to the new firm different approaches that take them out of staid methods they've gotten used to). If you become "proven" you are likely to be on the management committee, so "control" really isn't an issue. The key is collegiality and respect among the team.
Moved from my own solo practice to AmLaw 200 firm 14 years ago. Pluses are: greater ability to serve all your clients’ needs, greater breadth of quality associate support, greater marketing and biz dev resources, good controls and systems ... and NO HR headaches anymore! Ability to grow practice w right platform. Get work from existing client base in states where you’re not. And ... there are some clients that love you but won’t hire you or give you the really complex matter if you don’t have deeper resources. Down side is it’s a big organization, conflicts, policies etc. But, if you have a client base.. and you do because you have a 5 attorney firm you will still be a captain of your own ship. Look at your client base and decide whether you can expand it or upgrade it at a larger firm.
Had a 4 lawyer shop now am an Eapnat an AMLaw 200 firm. Your book will need to be at least 1.5x to make the same money once the guaranteed run out. That said, mine doubled and I’m having more fun. There is more legal work to do but I have more people to help. A small firm is like a marriage and with 70 plus partners minor partner issues no longer matter. But you have only had your own firm so it may take some time for you to get used to not running the show.
What’s working, and not working, about what you’re doing now?
Right now I'm making $ so that is working. But we are so busy that some clients are getting left behind until I can get the support infrastructure and work flow in place. So there are some small matters that we just aren't handling. Presumably that should be taken care of in the next year to 18 months.
Our 8-lawyer firm joined an 80 lawyer firm because we needed the resources that they could provide to serve our clients.
Looking back, it has been great for our clients, and good for us as well.
Cultural fit was the key - we spent a lot of time meeting partners in other firms and asking a lot of questions.
One thing - there is a lot less autonomy in a large firm
I'm not sure how you will get to grow in a mid tier. With your own firm you get to dictate the pace of your growth.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I gave it a lot of thought and decided not to move into a firm right now. I'm happy and successful for now. I don't want to derail that. Will keep plowing ahead.
Went through the same thing. Ultimately did not make the move. Pretty happy that I didn’t. Do you have a lot of control when it is your firm and can respond to economic differences appropriately.