I’ve been in big law for about 3.5 years as an associate. I’m considering applying for a Staff Attorney position at another big law firm. Does anyone have any insight on why this would be a good move? Just looking for some general advice, please don’t be overly critical.

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Be very careful and thorough in your vetting of what the life of a staff attorney is like at the firm. Some firms pay staff attorneys less but still work them as brutally as junior associates. Not every firm, or even every staff atty. position within a given firm, is the same with how they treat these kinds of professionals.

I would highly recommend finding someone in your desired position at the place you are applying and talking offline about what their experience is genuinely like.

Same advice as above for “counsel” positions.

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Thank you

Following because I too am curious about if others have made this move…I’m in a similar boat and starting to feel burnt out

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Why would you do this? You’ll generally work the same hours for a significant pay cut.

Yeah, would watch out if the staff attorney position is usually filled by JDs who are right out of law school and looking to be regular associates

Staff attorney salaries can be very stagnant and you might still have case deadlines requiring long hours. Depending on your long term goals, if burn out or work life balance is the issue, you might want to consider trying to get into a boutique or firm that offers a significantly reduced billable hour target like 1,200-1,400 but where you can still advance in the profession. Those options definitely exist for associates leaving top big law firms.

It’s a good move only if you’re trying to limit your roll. Staff attys can negotiate to avoid doing bus dev and nonbillable work, for instance. But it’s a big pay cut and often a dead end.

Is the move for better WLB?

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