Job Responsibilities
Providing legal advice to clients relating to formation of
nonprofit organizations and obtaining federal and state tax-
exempt status. Representation of clients before the IRS
relating to tax exemption applications and ongoing compliance
with federal requirements. Also advise client regarding
fundraising, state regulation, and taxation issues relating to
nonprofit organizations. Clients include private colleges and
universities, hospitals and health care systems, social clubs,
trade associations, private foundations, and religious
organizations. Approximately 45-50 hours are spent in this
capacity each week. I also have certain administrative
functions such as billing, firm related activities, recruiting
activities and department activities. These activities comprise
approximately 5-10 hours per week. Finally, we are responsible
for certain practice development activities such as professional
reading in our practice area, community service, speeches and
presentations as well as writing articles for publication.
These activities comprise approximately 5-20 hours per week.
|
Job Requirements
JD -- the acamdemic program at Syracuse was good, but heavily
targeted toward students interested in careers as litigation
careers. First year courses are standard issue. Seond and
third year courses are more practicum based. Quality of classes
was relatively good, with adjunct professors and professors with
actual practice based experience at the higher end of the
spectrum. Popular classes were limited almost entirely to third-
year students as they were allowed to register first. Grading
was based on a B- curve for first year, but substantially
relaxed (with some exceptions) in the second and third years.
Workload was very manageable if you stay focused and don't goof
off.
MPA -- more practical than academic in nature which is a good
thing. Professors were tops in their field. As a result, some
were very inaccessible to students or very inpatient with
questions or inquiries. Popular classes were generally
accessible (many class sizes were expanded to accomodate
demand). Grading was on an B+/A- curve almost exclusively.
|
Uppers
I enjoy a very high level of client contact in my practice area that other
mid-level associates don't necessarily enjoy. My work is also very rewarding
because almost all of our clients are very appreciative of our efforts on their
behalf.
|
Downers
The demands of the profession are very stressful. No 40 hour
weeks for most attorneys working at firms. Long hours and
partner expectations that an associate will be available almost
24-7 is a huge downer.
|
Lifestyle
Work hours are very long (no 9-5 here) with weekend work more the norm than the
exception. I work at a national law firm, so business travel is also a
requirement as we have several offices across the country. Attorneys not only
work hard, but they play hard as well. Company social events are frequent and
those outside of work hours are almost always centered around drinking. Dress
code is business casual unless you have client meetings or court appearance, then
formal business in the standard. Diversity in large law firms is almost
non-existent. Efforts are being made, but it is a struggle to maintain a diverse
work place.
|
Compensation
Base starting salary is $75,000. This is currently under review
and we expect a raise in starting salary in March 2005. Bonuses
are available and are almost entirely based on hours billed.
Some discretion is allowed, but is rarely used to award bonuses
on other, more subjective, criteria. Benefits are standard for
most large law firms. No stock options.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
Understand that you will not be working a 9-5 job. Being an
attorney is a lifestyl in and of itself and is not something
that you can just turn off at the end of the day. Be prepared
to change work places or even careers if you choose to work at a
larger firm because the burnout rate is extremely high for mid-
level (4-6 years) associates.
|
|
