What Can You Get Out of Two Years in Big Law?

 Here on the Subreddit BigLaw Thread, a 2nd year corporate associates assesses when to move on from Big Law. Obviously this junior lawyer doesn't have partnership as a goal. 

TIMING 

"I’ve got an offer to move in house with a media company as a junior attorney. Sounds like it would be a cool job doing what I like to do, but am I moving out of big law too soon? I feel like I’m just barely starting to grasp the ins and outs of M&A work and I’m worried I might be missing out on valuable firm experience that I wouldn’t otherwise get, and that my options going forward will be more limited by moving in house now."

One detailed thoughtful comment coming in sums up the situation as this: You already have BigLaw on your resume. You learn a lot during the first two years as an associate. Less so in the next two years as compared to what can be learned in-house. So, the timing is right for a move.

TWO WARNINGS

However, there is a two-part warning. 

1) Do due dilgence on the new opportunity that you will learn enough to be able to market yourself to the next in-house job. In this there is the assumption that the first in-house job represents just a start in that game. However, it is noted that lucrative career paths can be followed by staying with one in-house department.

2) It is unlikely that those departing from private practice will be able to return from in-house. 

Connect with Editor-in-Chief Jane Genova at janegenova374@gmail.com. She is available to law firms and their vendors for communications assignments. Complimentary consultation. No selling. 

 

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