Going back to biglaw after exiting Forum

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LawAndBehold

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Re: Going back to biglaw after exiting

Post by LawAndBehold » Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:03 pm

Yugihoe wrote:
LawAndBehold wrote:
Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:I know two midlevels at my big law firm who went in-house, decided it was a mistake, and came back within a year.
What, if you know, were their reasons for quitting their in-house roles? I recently took up an in-house position, moving from BigLaw, and i really do not like it all. But because most BigLaw lawyers treat getting an in-house job as some “golden” ticket, I feel like I must be crazy for wanting to go back to BigLaw. Helping similar stories help but unfortunately there are very few stories of BigLaw -> in-house -> BigLaw (certainly wihin a short time frame)...
What don't you like about it? If it's the company and/or people, isn't it possible to put in a year or two and trade up companies (and get a pay raise in the process too)?
I thought about sticking it out but the job really makes me desperately miserable in a way that BigLaw never has BigLaw has been exhausting at times but I never dreaded going to work like I do now. In a nutshell, I think it’s a mix of the type of work not being a good fit for me (I miss the intellectually challenging and at times academic aspect of BigLaw. In-house, at least for me is a - neverending - list of boring tasks, mostly reviewing contracts, constant stream of meetings. Ultimately, I miss being a “lawyer” because I certainly do not feel like one now) and the company not being a good fit (in the interview and even now they state the company has a fun atmosphere but that has really not been my experience at all. In fact, I was more or less bullied for the first few weeks by one of the legal staff. Whereas I really got along with my team at the firm, everyone was collegiate and there was a team-spirit/dynamic, lively atmosphere). Plus, I took a massive pay-cut for more or less the same hours (at least not proportionately less compared to the pay-cut). Perhaps a different role (more senior perhaps? More regional?) in a different company would work but I prefer going back to BigLaw. The experience has definitely put me off in-house. At least for the foreseeable future.

LawAndBehold

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Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2019 3:38 pm

Re: Going back to biglaw after exiting

Post by LawAndBehold » Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:10 pm

QContinuum wrote:
LawAndBehold wrote:
Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:I know two midlevels at my big law firm who went in-house, decided it was a mistake, and came back within a year.
What, if you know, were their reasons for quitting their in-house roles? I recently took up an in-house position, moving from BigLaw, and i really do not like it all. But because most BigLaw lawyers treat getting an in-house job as some “golden” ticket, I feel like I must be crazy for wanting to go back to BigLaw. Helping similar stories help but unfortunately there are very few stories of BigLaw -> in-house -> BigLaw (certainly wihin a short time frame)...
If you left on good terms (important qualification), then what Hutz describes - bouncing back quickly to your former firm - is in fact likely going to be the past of least resistance. It may seem counterintuitive, but you're a much easier sell to folks who like you and know you do good work than to strangers at a different firm who don't know you from Adam.
That is the plan. Going to stick it out for a couple more weeks and then reach out. I was well-liked and respected and think I had a future there (at least that is what they told me). Plus, I really liked the team and got along with my coworkers. You are probably wondering why I jumped ship? Grass-is-greener-thoughts, basically... anyway, would much prefer to go back to my old firm (even though it is slightly - tail-between-legs - embarassing) where I know what I am in for and where I have my reputation, than to start somewhere from scratch (and risk that firm not being a good fit or whatever)

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