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06.24.08, 13:15 PM General Topics
31 replies
DH is very frustrated with his job and thinking about looking into changing from big corp lawfirm to smaller firm or consulting. However, he would take a pretty serious paycut in this economy, and my salary is peanuts compared to his. Should he stick it out and be miserable, or is it feasible to look for another job? We're in NYC, but will consider moving (but not to anywhere that would be much "cheaper" cost of living-wise) [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.24.08, 01:15 PM Flag
 

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being miserable - IMHO - is not a viable option. Life is too short. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:16 PM Flag
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Miserable is too strong, I guess. He alternates between loving his job and being frustrated and exhausted by the long hours. And his hours fluctuate a lot based on his cases. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:18 PM Flag
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that's most people though, isn't it ? do you think he would be happier in a diff job or do you think that this is how he is "made" ? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:18 PM Flag
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I kind of feel like that's how he's "made" because he's the type to take on extra work even though he doesn't need it. Was top biller his year last year and is already on pace to make his pace next month... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:20 PM Flag
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you must never see him [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:20 PM Flag
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lol, actually it isn't *that* bad, he works from home when he can. But yes, it does suck. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:20 PM Flag
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how many hours did he bill - my DH struggles to hit 1800 and I mean struggles. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:21 PM Flag
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How does he struggle? Is he corp? DH is a litigator (international arb). Last year he billed 2500, his firm's pace is 1900 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:25 PM Flag
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OMG! That is billing about 65 hours a week which means he must be working a minimum of 80 hours...unless he is a partner and gets no mark downs? That is heroic of both of you! My DH is so slow he bills 3 hours for every 4 worked...it is awful and he can't seem to speed it up either. He is a litigator too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:28 PM Flag
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Yes, he usually bills about that, and on average works 70-75 hour weeks. Occasionally he's hit the 100 hour mark which is insane. Honestly i don't know how much longer either of us can handle it, but I know that when he's enjoying his work he LOVES his job. DH is a very smart guy and good worker, and is quite efficient with his time, from what I know - usually turns thing around much faster than his fellow associates (yes, he's an assoc - 4th year) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:30 PM Flag
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Well I also posted above about my BF and DH. But if your DH is only a 4th year associate billing at that rate he is going to do very very well. Hang in there, do what you can to enhance your quality of life (knock those hours down by 100 and take a couple of good vacations) and good luck! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:32 PM Flag
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Thanks... we are going to try to take 2 weeks off in Sept for a vacation, and next year he'll be teachinga class at Harvard in Jan so he'll basically miss billing for a month, which should be a bit of a rest for him. I know he's doing well, but he keeps saying he doesn't know if he wants to make partner but clearly working like that I think he does [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:38 PM Flag
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than maybe a new job isn't the right decision. I usually subscribe to the "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know" theory in these instances [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:27 PM Flag
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he should start something new [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:18 PM Flag
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Hi - I have some good experience for you to consider. My BF (married no DCs) left her big law partner-track position for a smaller boutique with the promise of fewer hours/more mentoring/more focus on her career development AND a big pay cut. Well she is quite bitter now 4 years later because she is working just like she always did, she is not feeling mentored at all and she is making considerably less money. My DH is also a small firm attorney and I can assure he works just as hard and just as long as corp lawyer for a lot less money. My advice: stay. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:18 PM Flag
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this is a good warning. lifestyle firm is a misnomer in almost all cases. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:20 PM Flag
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Thanks, I appreciate this. Do you know anyone who works in-house for corps? I know one woman who left a firm because she wanted to have kids and is now very happy at a bank with good hours... but don't know about pay [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:21 PM Flag
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We've looked into it - max. $100 but I am not in NYC [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:22 PM Flag
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That's definintely not in NYC. Have dh call a head hunter. I don't know his area of expertise or his level, but it isn't unusual at all to see $200k a few years out or $300k+ packages. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:19 PM Flag
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OP - DH gets called by headhunters all the time, and I think he'd make lateral pay, but without as much growth or large bonuses. Not really sure if it is a good move or not, especially if he's still working as much [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:20 PM Flag
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Exactly right. Better quality of life in house, but pay is most definitely higher at a large law firm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:26 PM Flag
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. . . but I've never heard of someone working as much in house. The working as much trap is generally at smaller firms. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:27 PM Flag
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Ok, thanks. DH and I will look into inhouse options [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 02:29 PM Flag
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If you try to keep him where he is making more money but not happy, eventually he will start to resent you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:19 PM Flag
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I'm not trying to keep him anywhere. I'm just looking for some advice from others who have btdt [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:20 PM Flag
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my DH is in house (as am I - but PT) he does have a great QOL and he is paid well for inhouse, but it does not compare to big firm pay AT ALL. he is now struggling with his ego because he feels he should be making more $$ but doesn't really wwant to go back to firm life. Its a trade off. In my experience in house positions pay anywhere from 100k - 300K unless you are a GC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:31 PM Flag
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Thanks. When did he (and you) make the transition to in house? How big of a paycut? DH makes @200K before bonus at the moment [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:33 PM Flag
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i am not well paid, (IMO) but work 3 days and basically 9-5:30. with alot of flexibility. My full time pay is 125,000 plus 25,000 bonus. Obviously making 3/5 of that now. I am also more than 10 years out of law school. Made the transition years ago, before having kids.at the time I took about a 40% pay cut. DH transitioned ony 3 years ago or so and took no cut at the time, but the growth potential salarywise is compromised. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:38 PM Flag
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^^^I should correct that last statement, my DH, who is at an IB (as a lawyer) makes about 350,000 all in (bonus - some paid in stock). he hasn;'t found a position that will offer him much more. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:34 PM Flag
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That's still pretty good [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:38 PM Flag
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yes, as I said its pretty much the max in house in my experience. still it doesn't compare to a partner at biglaw [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.24.08, 01:45 PM Flag
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