6th year here 🙋‍♂️ The main partner I worked for left for a smaller boutique firm a year ago. She offered to take me with her but it would mean a ~$125k pay cut.
Since she left, work has really dried up. The other partners keep saying things will pick up, but it’s been almost a year and my hours are still very low. I’m starting to worry not just about utilisation, but also about falling behind my peers in terms of experience (things were already slowing down even before she left).
My long-term goal is partnership, and I don’t see how that’s viable without consistent hours, deal flow and sponsorship where I am now.
So I feel stuck between a few options: - A. Join the partner at the boutique: potentially better quality work due to more competitive rates and someone I like, but a significant pay cut and little to no clear path to progression - B. Find a new firm: the market in my practice area is quiet. The available roles would be a similar pay cut (ie at least $100k) but potentially better long-term prospects and development. - C. Call it a day in BigLaw and go in house
What would you do in my position?