I agree. Cutthroat competition notwithstanding, there are firms that value human decency and finer pursuits over blatant manipulation. Unfortunately a lot of us mistake healthy ambition as the race to be the richest scumbag. Firm culture is only as good as its top management.
Culture is important and there is a place for some balance - but law firms are also businesses and the primary goal is to make a lot of money. I am not saying that people need to be mean, and they definitely shouldn’t be unethical, but the competition is always an underlying current and driver if you value making money.
It's also about personality fit. Whether an environment is horrible depends on the person. Some people thrive in and enjoy competitive environments, while others enjoy a quieter pace.
I always tell people that the key to success in this job is to really enjoy doing something that others find intolerably boring. I'm in patent prosecution, and I love my quiet office, my 9-6, and my writing documents for clients all day. Others would be bored out of their minds.
You’re right. There is plenty out there. If you’re not paid enough to withstand the venom and wolves then find what works for you😀
I agree. Cutthroat competition notwithstanding, there are firms that value human decency and finer pursuits over blatant manipulation. Unfortunately a lot of us mistake healthy ambition as the race to be the richest scumbag. Firm culture is only as good as its top management.
Culture is important and there is a place for some balance - but law firms are also businesses and the primary goal is to make a lot of money. I am not saying that people need to be mean, and they definitely shouldn’t be unethical, but the competition is always an underlying current and driver if you value making money.
Rising Star
It's also about personality fit. Whether an environment is horrible depends on the person. Some people thrive in and enjoy competitive environments, while others enjoy a quieter pace. I always tell people that the key to success in this job is to really enjoy doing something that others find intolerably boring. I'm in patent prosecution, and I love my quiet office, my 9-6, and my writing documents for clients all day. Others would be bored out of their minds.
We’ve had lots of attorneys join us and excel when they floundered. And many have floundered with us but excelled elsewhere. Fit is very important.
Unless you have crap grades and graduated from a low rank school, then you need to just take whatever pays you.