Full disclosure: I’m at an AmLaw 200 firm. So, yes, I know I’m not in “real” BigLaw, but it doesn’t change the message I’m about to convey or the sentiment behind it.
Like a few others who’ve posted here from time to time, my place in this echelon of legal practice was not a sure bet. In fact, it took over a decade for me to reach this point, developing skills in government service that I was able to finally parlay into useful elements of a private practice. I wish I had gotten here sooner, but c’est la vie.
I just got my info re: bonus, and holy crap. I’ve never made so much before in my life. My parents and grandparents grew up dirt poor and worked tough jobs. I was the first person in my family to attend college, and then struggled in law school as I tried to figure things out. And while there were ups and downs, here I am getting paid quite well to sit in a cushy desk chair.
Yes, there’s more to it than that, and yes, this job is taxing in many ways, but getting paid this compensation beats the hell out of working outdoors for a job that exposes you to the worst of the elements without health insurance or the other benefits that come with a professional career.
I still want to graduate to “real” BigLaw, but for now, and for today, I’m just grateful for where I am and proud I got here.
Edit: Apparently this doesn’t necessarily read the way I intended. For the sake of clarity, I really do like this job. Sometimes I even love it. But let’s be real, it’s a job. There are ups and downs, and sometimes the challenges can be overwhelming or frustrating. No, every day is not rainbows and unicorns, but I still love what I do for various reasons, including because it’s interesting and intellectually stimulating and can even be fun at times.