| Topic Name: |
How is Biglaw really? |
| Message Name: |
Depends on your Attitude |
| Date Posted: |
07/19/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
Considering all the horror-stories about biglaw, is there anybody out there that is actually happy in Biglaw?
I do want to have a fast-paced, interesting, and competitive job in which I can have an above-average salary. In high school, college, and (now) law school, I have always been willing to work more than others, and that will not change once I start work. But that does not mean that I wany to sacrifice my entire life, health, and happiness to my job and the money I get paid!
Considering that so many intelligent people go into Biglaw, I simply cannot imagine that all of them are just greedy people that sacrifice everything to work.
Only serious comments please. |
| Message: |
Whether you enjoy Biglaw or not will depend on your attitude. I work in Biglaw, and a large number of the associates seem pretty unhappy and unsatisfied. On the other hand, there are others who enjoy what they're doing, and seem happy. The latter are in the minority (I'm guessing).
Big law firms tend to treat associates like fungible billing units, with little regard to their professional development. It can be tough to get real responsibility at a big law firm, especially during your first couple of years. This lowers morale, and leads to high attrition among junior associates. If you're aggressive, however, it's possible to get real responsibility as a junior.
You also have to ask yourself whether you enjoy doing legal work. Many lawyers simply don't find the work very interesting, and get frustrated because of it. Some people are better suited for different types of jobs, that involve a higher level of creativity and imagination.
A major plus is having a good personal life (i.e. a romantic relationship, good friends) BEFORE entering biglaw. Being single in this job can be lousy, because it interferes with your ability to meet others and make new friendships. It's tough to find a signficiant other, start a family, and get involved in the community if you're working 60 plus hours a week. The most miserable associates are usually the lonely ones.
So, in short, it depends on you. But the odds of enjoying Biglaw are not in your favor.
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