Just found out a peer at a smaller firm makes almost the same salary I do and they work fewer hours, have lower billables, and actually get to eat dinner at home. It’s messing with my head more than I expected. I’ve spent years chasing prestige like it was some badge of honor, and now I’m questioning whether the name on my business card is worth the stress. It’s strange realizing elite doesn’t always mean rewarding. How do you make peace with the idea that prestige and payoff don’t always line up?

likefunny
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Honestly, if “chasing prestige” doesn’t mean “working at a biglaw firm making market base and bonus”, you’re absolutely wasting your time or your sense of “prestige” is way off.

I know people who had way better grades than me but make way less than me and work way more. But I learned early on to move jobs every couple years for more money and went in house once I hit 4th year. Moved again as a 6th year for promotion, more cash, and better WLB.

If you’ve been at your firm for longer than a couple years, and it isn’t a market paying big law firm with a path to partner, you should be leaving for more money and/or better WLB.

likesmart

How are you chasing prestige and simultaneously making less? The most prestigious firms pay market + above market bonus. You work at a firm right? Not like a US Attny?

What firm are you working at? And how prestige is your firm?

Don’t just look at your paycheck. You’re working at a big firm with lots of expensive overhead costs (nice office, associates, paralegals, retirement and health insurance, etc, etc). Smaller firms (if leadership is smart) work on a shoe-string budget. Pick you poison: prestigious firm, reputation, nice office, associates, perks …. or free coffee in the kitchen and a few extra dollars in the bank…

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