Which firms are the "lifestyle firms" in biglaw?

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not sure there is one

v50-v100 is barely biglaw

what makes a biglaw firm lifestyle-y is total freedom. free market system, freedom to set your hours, freedom to come in the office when you need to, where you’re treated like an adult, etc.

likefunny

A6, you don’t necessarily get paid the same at Reed Smith. They have some A/B salary scales where you would be underpaid on your base salary versus market if you’re under 2000.

They're all pretending to be lifestyle firms now. Look for ones that have an 1800-1900 billable hour and count a bunch of other stuff toward your billable target. Dont expect them to be as financially stable though. Layoffs may be more common.

Our lifestyle is that we take a beating to maybe make millions a year someday or exit with equity somewhere. I'd buckle down and find the best path to a solid exit if you want a good lifestyle.

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Kirkland

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People with the “lifestyle” are usually those in out of favor groups at a lesser big law firm. You have to be okay with your group not having a strong external reputation and feeling like you might get laid off because your hours are low and come in unevenly. Those who become lawyers tend to be fairly ambitious and anxious so what I’ve described above doesn’t actually appeal to or suit most lawyers and they’ll end up lateraling to a non-lifestyle firm and group.

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Private Client/T and E is the way to go in big law. Best decision/luck of the draw ever.

DWT

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Paul Hastings for sure

likefunny

Was it the PowerPoint that convinced you?

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I heard Torys is one (in NY). Canadian hours but Milbank pay

likehelpful

Paul Hastings

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For market or near market firms, I’ve heard A&P, Crowell, Mintz, Baker Hostetler, and DLA are on the better side.

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Can confirm re Crowell

clifford chance
maybe

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If you want lifestyle, do you really want biglaw? There are plenty of big firms (backend AmLaw200) that have lower billing for associates, but any AmLaw top firm is billing 1950+ for associates regardless of their requirements. I’d realistically think; what is my expected comp + expected hours & can I make a smaller firm work

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All of them. The lifestyle is sitting at a desk and taking your laptop on vacations.

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Willkie

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Baker Botts

None of them.

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