2024 grad, non-traditional student (graduated in my 30s). I went to a lower ranked law school, but graduated 7th in the class. Busted my ass to get on journal, mock trial team, federal judicial externship, you name it—I did it. Scored the Biglaw job, and now… I struggle to care about the “prestige” over other considerations.
My tale seems to be increasingly recurrent: hours are low despite hours of in-firm networking and relationship building; have been doing a lot of work outside of intended practice area to try to make up the difference; partners know (and openly discuss) that there’s an issue with workflow and the free market system, but scapegoat associates for inability to find work; partners keep leaving; culture is toxic for a myriad of reasons, etc. I’m planning to lateral, but I’m really surprised that I have very little desire to even consider trying to lateral to another Biglaw gig.
Maybe it’s because I’m a little older, but I crave peace and predictability. Constantly feeling like I’m missing the mark when I know (and everyone else knows) that the issues are systemic is emotionally exhausting. And most importantly, I want to be thoughtfully trained and become an awesome attorney one day, which feels impossible when there’s so little work to go around and there’s very little actual training, which I expected to get in Biglaw. The money is nice but I feel like Squidward watching my law school self frolic excitedly about the fantasies of this profession while I’m stuck in an ivory tower being fed nothing burgers, haha.
Anyway, mostly just venting I guess, but as a historically high achieving person I’m surprised that, after only 2 years, I just want to gain some real skills at a midsized firm with a collegial culture then go bake some bread for my family at the end of the day.