Bonus: the night before an IPO was being filed, a partner threw papers onto the ground in frustration in the conference room the team was working. They then told an associate, "pick them up." The associate said "**** you!" and walked out. They were fired the next day, but I hear they found another gig pretty quickly lol
I went from big law to medium law to becoming a solo practitioner working from my home. I will never work in a law firm again. They are such miserable work environments with so many egotistical people. Now I take breaks to cuddle with my dogs instead of cigarette breaks on the sidewalks of Manhattan.
You probably make a lot more per hour as well. The starting salary in large firms used to be about 190K. Work 70 hours a week for 190K a year, and you end up earning about 50 per hour, pre-tax, with no time-and-a-half for overtime.. There are lots of plumbers and electricians, and truck drivers and so on who make far more than that, with no student debt.
I actually left big law after 8 months due to my office's toxic work environment and constant humiliation. The managing partner at my office was constantly harassing me because I would wear a suit to work and was very polite. In addition, the administrative partner was always speaking down to me and always trying to belittle me. I remember attending the firm's yearly junior associate retreat and contemplated having a conversation with the executive chairman, who I connected with on a personal level, of the firm, but I decided not--I was hopeful that everything would get better, and it didn't, it just got worse. Unfortunately, I am having a hard time finding work. Do you have any recommendations on how I should answer the notorious question as a lateral interviewee: "Why did you leave your prior firm?" Thanks!
I work in big law and got a similar email from a partner I report to at 6 AM on Sunday morning asking me about a document that wasn’t due for another week. I laughed but these stories are not as crazy as you think.
Mr. Sarafian, thank you for the excellent content. Might you by chance do a video on non-equity partners and whether it is actually meaningful to attorneys who hold the title? With Cravath's addition of salaried partners, plus many others in the industry, the topic and its merits seem like they deserve coverage.
Also, big firms do not care about diversity and inclusion -- they promote DE&I to make their clients happy as many are demanding that their cases and deals get staffed with attorneys from diverse backgrounds.
This might be dumbest thing I've read all day. Nobody cares about having an attorney that's from a diverse background more than they do about winning their case.
I'm applying to do a law clerkship in San Diego for a big law firm but I am contemplating on doing that or being a law clerk for a family law firm (my main interest). Do you recommend experiencing the big law firm experience even though I've heard it's not a good experience?
Biglaw is great for: training, money, clout. Just know that it's a lot of work and pretty intense. But I think it's a great way to jumpstart your legal career (that's how I used it!)
Went to a T-14 and was one of the few who did not do OCI and jumped straight in-house for a considerable pay cut but much better WLB. Generally happy I avoided the law firm life although part of me feels fomo from time to time because I did not get to experience the intense hazing process of a biglaw firm associate for a year or two. Maybe in another lifetime.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Bonus: the night before an IPO was being filed, a partner threw papers onto the ground in frustration in the conference room the team was working. They then told an associate, "pick them up." The associate said "**** you!" and walked out. They were fired the next day, but I hear they found another gig pretty quickly lol
that 3rd story was crazy😭
Totally absurd
I went from big law to medium law to becoming a solo practitioner working from my home. I will never work in a law firm again. They are such miserable work environments with so many egotistical people. Now I take breaks to cuddle with my dogs instead of cigarette breaks on the sidewalks of Manhattan.
You probably make a lot more per hour as well. The starting salary in large firms used to be about 190K. Work 70 hours a week for 190K a year, and you end up earning about 50 per hour, pre-tax, with no time-and-a-half for overtime.. There are lots of plumbers and electricians, and truck drivers and so on who make far more than that, with no student debt.
I think your story-telling skill is top-notch
Thank you!!! :)
I actually left big law after 8 months due to my office's toxic work environment and constant humiliation. The managing partner at my office was constantly harassing me because I would wear a suit to work and was very polite. In addition, the administrative partner was always speaking down to me and always trying to belittle me. I remember attending the firm's yearly junior associate retreat and contemplated having a conversation with the executive chairman, who I connected with on a personal level, of the firm, but I decided not--I was hopeful that everything would get better, and it didn't, it just got worse. Unfortunately, I am having a hard time finding work. Do you have any recommendations on how I should answer the notorious question as a lateral interviewee: "Why did you leave your prior firm?" Thanks!
I would just be open/honest and tell them you didn't have a good culture fit experience at your old firm !
I work in big law and got a similar email from a partner I report to at 6 AM on Sunday morning asking me about a document that wasn’t due for another week. I laughed but these stories are not as crazy as you think.
just shut up and do your work as this is what you chose
Mr. Sarafian, thank you for the excellent content. Might you by chance do a video on non-equity partners and whether it is actually meaningful to attorneys who hold the title? With Cravath's addition of salaried partners, plus many others in the industry, the topic and its merits seem like they deserve coverage.
Great idea ! I'll think about a video on this.
@@julianinlaw Thank you!
Also, big firms do not care about diversity and inclusion -- they promote DE&I to make their clients happy as many are demanding that their cases and deals get staffed with attorneys from diverse backgrounds.
This might be dumbest thing I've read all day. Nobody cares about having an attorney that's from a diverse background more than they do about winning their case.
more stories!
You got it :)
Great video as always! Hope all is well with you too :)
Thank you!! Life is good :)
Great video Julian, that sounds bonkers. No more pie 🥧
Thanks Joe. Agreed no more pie 🤣😂
Thanks for letting me know which law firms not to attend
I had 2 Summer associateships. And they don’t really represent the actual job.
Thanks for this video! What are the hours like for Big Law paralegals?
Usually 40-50 hours per week!
That third story is absolutely bonkers.
This was great. Makes me feel way better about my biglaw experience 😃
Love that for you lol
What was your experience?
I'm applying to do a law clerkship in San Diego for a big law firm but I am contemplating on doing that or being a law clerk for a family law firm (my main interest). Do you recommend experiencing the big law firm experience even though I've heard it's not a good experience?
Biglaw is great for: training, money, clout. Just know that it's a lot of work and pretty intense. But I think it's a great way to jumpstart your legal career (that's how I used it!)
Great to know ! Thank you for the response!@@julianinlaw
Yes there is more pressure and work.
Did you have group projects in law school?
The midlevel associate got in their car and drove to their office
Went to a T-14 and was one of the few who did not do OCI and jumped straight in-house for a considerable pay cut but much better WLB. Generally happy I avoided the law firm life although part of me feels fomo from time to time because I did not get to experience the intense hazing process of a biglaw firm associate for a year or two. Maybe in another lifetime.
Wachtell is more cliquey but Cravath is more prestigious.
didn't know Ronaldo made videos on RUclips for law ; )
Big law shit
Law is boring