The legal profession is known for its slow evolution, but it’s always changing. Few events have sparked as much change in the past few years as the pandemic. The chaos and turmoil of 2020-2021 prompted many lawyers to reflect deeply on their own lives. What is my goal in life and what role does my work play? What makes me happy? Where do I want to be?
At least among associates, it seems that leaving BigLaw in favor of a smaller law firm is gaining popularity. Recently, I sat with two lawyers at mid-to-senior-level who have made this move as well as a HR executive from boutique law firms. Here are some key factors, based on their observations.
Wanting to do meaningful work
The pandemic has brought to light the importance of fulfilling work. One of the associates that I spoke to told me that he felt 2020 had prompted him reexamine what he wanted in his life and his career. Two associates said that BigLaw was like being a cog in a big machine. A small firm, however, gave them the opportunity to have a bigger impact on their careers and case outcomes.
One lawyer explained, “I’ll be deposing witness in the next few weeks.” In BigLaw I didn’t think I would get this [chance] before my fifth or six year. Even my doc review feels different now that I have a case in front of me. I am looking at the case in a substantive way. “I’m part of the team that is developing the strategy.”
After moving to a boutique law firm, the other associate said he feels “a greater sense of personal and professional investment”.
The HR executive that I spoke to echoed these sentiments. She said that lawyers who switch jobs do so because they are passionate about their work and want the opportunity to get dirty. “Our clients matter to us so we can do great work for them.”
A collegial, team-focused culture
The workplace culture is another reason why lawyers migrate to smaller firms. It doesn’t matter if the environment is supportive and tight-knit, it will be a welcome surprise for lawyers once they get to the other side.
A colleague told me that returning to his office after COVID had little effect on the camaraderie at the large firm he worked for. After moving to a boutique law firm, he found an entirely different atmosphere. It’s because the firm is so small. “People come to your office and show you how to do certain things,” explained he. The first day, in the first hour, I sat with a partner over coffee for an hour. One day, the CFO came by. It’s much more organic.”
After leaving BigLaw, both associates reported a better balance between work and life. One of them stated that although it may not be noticeable day-to-day, cumulatively, and annually, the difference is evident. I’ll likely take a lot off this year.
The other associate agreed: “Certainly, the expectation of availability was different in a positive way. It’s not expected that I will respond to you at 9pm. It’s usually best to wait until morning. “This applies to clients, partners, and colleagues alike.”
During these conversations, I was also struck by the importance of mentorship. One associate said, “In a boutique you get more experience and training.” In BigLaw it can be a long process, mostly due to the hierarchical structure. As a young lawyer, I wanted mentorship as well as to be close to the cases that I was working on.
It’s like one-onone tutoring, said the other lawyer with whom I spoke.
Being heard is important
What struck me the most out of all their “whys” was that these associates finally felt like they could exert their influence within a smaller environment. This makes sense, when you compare the size of boutique firms to the anonymity that comes with working at a BigLaw Firm with hundreds of attorneys. One of the lawyers said: “My voice is more important in a group of 45 lawyers than it is in a group of 500 associates.”
I feel like an attorney here !”).
Moving to a boutique law firm: What are the barriers?
Boutique law firms are more likely to hire BigLaw candidates. When I asked the HR executive why, she highlighted their rigorous training and preparation–particularly their strong legal writing skills, which she deemed “much better than people coming out of some other roles.”
She said that money is the biggest challenge. Many BigLaw lawyers are used to earning a lot. People don’t want to come here if money is their main motivation. Sometimes we have trouble attracting senior attorneys who are also parents. They are used to a particular financial situation.”
She is not wrong. Although I’ve seen lawyers of all levels move to smaller firms, it is much more difficult to leave the compensation offered by BigLaw at senior level. Even mid-level associates may hesitate. The carrot of potential partnership and good salaries are still in front of these associates.
One of the attorneys I interviewed acknowledged that his compensation was drastically reduced when he left BigLaw. “When I left I took a $30k pay cut. This is a huge difference, particularly for someone who hasn’t experienced the other side and has become accustomed to a certain amount of consumption. As a fifth to seventh year associate, there is more pressure to make the “right choice”. The movements become more restricted. “I’m essentially describing golden handcuffs.”
What associates need to consider before applying for a position at a small firm
It’s important to know what you want from your new boutique. You should know what the new platform will mean to your career, not just during your stay but also when you leave. You should know what you are looking for and the culture in which you will thrive.
Understand that you might work as hard, or even harder, in a small boutique. The difference in job satisfaction is often the biggest factor. If you are working with people that you don’t like and doing work in pieces, it can seem as if two thousand hours have been doubled. If you are engaged, like your team and feel ownership of the work, then those hours won’t seem as long.
A career change is always a personal choice
While the decision to switch from a large firm to a small one is more common today than it was in previous years, it remains very personal. This choice is made by lawyers of all generations. It makes more sense to some than others, depending on various factors. I think those who are looking for a better work-life balance and a more meaningful life will continue to explore this route.
Do the lawyers that I spoke to ever miss their BigLaw days? They said they miss having round-the clock technical support, a platform to do pro bono work and, yes, even the higher salary. Both professionals I spoke to seemed confident about their decision. One lawyer said, “The entire industry is undergoing some kind of transformation and I feel better at a place that values me as a member of the community.”
The other associate spoke more bluntly about his career choice: “No regrets,” said he without hesitation. “This was my right path.”
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