INQUIRY:   Should I leave my current well-paying employment at a pre-eminent law firm (where I have limited opportunity to develop business and will unlikely be made a partner) and join a less prestigious (but well respected) law firm at a lower base compensation? 

I am a very well paid senior associate at a top-tier law firm.  I bill a huge number of hours each year (the firm owns a good portion of my evenings and weekends).  The billing rates are high and the firm doesn't encourage or support business development by associates. In fact, it resents the business I originate for being time-consuming and only marginally profitable.  Accordingly, I generate a negligible amount of business.  Based upon my observations of other attorneys in the firm with similar profiles to mine, I don't believe that I will be offered partnership at the firm, but even if I am, I would just be servicing the firm's institutional clients and the business originated by other partners.  On the other hand, if I leave to take a position elsewhere, I may have to accept a reduction in compensation, perhaps at a law firm that is not as highly recognized, and I'd have no assurance that I would be made a partner.

 

RESPONSE:  

Too many attorneys make decisions based upon short-term considerations (such as prestige and base compensation) and fail to place enough value on the potential opportunity another firm can provide in nurturing and encouraging the growth of its attorneys' business and client bases and in incentivizing the attorneys for business development and origination. 

Quality of life (i.e. fewer billable hours, work/life balance, and a collegial work environment) has definite value and should be given due consideration. 

Lastly, but of greatest importance - the actual work should be interesting, stimulating, and motivating for you. 

When you place due emphasis on these important factors, a decision on what to do should be less daunting.

Written by Lawrence D. Dicker, Founder and National Managing Director of The Knight Consulting Group Ltd.

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