Should you lateral to a mid-size firm?

Many attorneys start their career wanting to work at the most prestigious and largest law firms. Some lawyers discover that Big Law is not for them. These attorneys are seeking:

• Better work life balance,
• More client interactions, and
• Partnership opportunities

Work-Life balance

Am Law 100 firms are known for their demanding work environments. Associates and partners often face pressures to meet extremely high billable hour requirements, which can lead to long hours and high stress.

More client interactions

At large firms, attorneys often have limited direct contact with clients, especially in the early stages of their careers who may be part of large teams which can make it harder to build meaningful relationships with clients. At smaller firms, attorneys often have greater autonomy and closer interaction with their clients.

Partnership opportunities

The partnership track is often long and intensely competitive at large law firms with only a small percentage of associates ever making partner. The process is also highly political, with partnership decisions based on many factors outside of just legal talent.  

How do you lateral to a “better fit” law firm?

• Understand your career goals
• Identify a law firm that is suitable to you
• Must be self-aware
• Discuss with a trusted mentor

One success story of this came in the form of Greg Bishop who is a partner at Williams Mullen, who are a regional firm based in the Carolinas with approximately 240 lawyers. He told Chambers, “Smaller firms that are growing-typically they have a younger leadership group and a succession plan. And because they are hungry to grow the firm, they’re thinking about the need to keep people here and happy, and to build for the next generation. Frankly, at smaller firms the competition for partnership isn’t as cutthroat.” As evidenced here, young and ambitious lawyers who want to have a stake in the firms growth and evolution have a better chance at doing so when moving to a smaller firm.

Talent Engines is dedicated to helping legal professionals explore new career opportunities, offering valuable insights and connections for lateral moves within top law firms. If you’re interested in learning more or partnering with us, please visit the Talent Engines website to discover how we can assist you in taking the next step in your legal career.

External Links: Chambers, 2024