Would you leave if your firm didn't raise salaries? Forum

[worklifewhat]

Just curious...would you actually consider leaving your firm if it elected not to raise salaries/pay summer bonuses? And by "actually consider" I mean put forth an effort to make a lateral move either to a market-paying firm or to a non biglaw position that you had been considering but putting off (e.g. government job, non-profit, etc.). If so, what year are you and what kind of move would you make?

[Anonymous User]

i would have (former 4th year here)

[worklifewhat]

i would have (former 4th year here)

What are you up to now and why did you leave?

[Anonymous User]

i would have (former 4th year here)

What are you up to now and why did you leave?

public interest. didn't like the lifestyle or ethos of big law. was able to get to a place financially where i was able to leave. if i hadn't, though, i definitely would have lateraled to a place that paid "market." they make way too much off us to nickel and dime when someone moves.

[Anonymous User]

Absolutely.

[worklifewhat]

i would have (former 4th year here)

What are you up to now and why did you leave?

public interest. didn't like the lifestyle or ethos of big law. was able to get to a place financially where i was able to leave. if i hadn't, though, i definitely would have lateraled to a place that paid "market." they make way too much off us to nickel and dime when someone moves.

How is your life different outside of big law? Is your schedule more manageable? The cause more fulfilling? Tell me the ways that your life has improved! I'll live vicariously through you!

[Anonymous User]

i would've left if it hadn't made the 160-180 move. doubt it will make the 190 move. 180-190 just doesn't seem to have the same oomph and it seems like less of the V100 is going to move this time.

[worklifewhat]

i would've left if it hadn't made the 160-180 move. doubt it will make the 190 move. 180-190 just doesn't seem to have the same oomph and it seems like less of the V100 is going to move this time.

Well, it's not just 180-->190...there's also the summer bonus and, of course, the raises and bonuses are more generous as you increase seniority.

[oblig.lawl.ref]

yes

[Anonymous User]

My firm (Skadden) is not giving me a bonus because I haven't met the productive hours requirement and it's definitely tipping me towards leaving. I was already thinking about it because I'd been short on hours, now it feels like they're trying to push me out.

[worklifewhat]

My firm (Skadden) is not giving me a bonus because I haven't met the productive hours requirement and it's definitely tipping me towards leaving. I was already thinking about it because I'd been short on hours, now it feels like they're trying to push me out.

I can definitely see why you'd feel this way but try not to take it personally. My firm didn't give me a bonus when I was shy a week's worth of hours and I felt equally disgruntled and was ready to leave but ultimately stayed. I'm currently looking for a better position but I don't think they were being malicious in choosing not to give me a bonus. I like to think they were just being stingy.

[Anonymous User]

I’d probably stick around and cruise on low hours as the other rats try to scurry off ship.