Npret wrote:The few people from my firm over the years who worked at a client’s office were associates that people liked, but were not in contention for partner. Spending time away from the firm was not necessarily beneficial to their long term future at the firm. Still, it definitely put them in position to move on.
For some reason I thought secondment meant part of a training program designed with the idea you return to the firm more experienced and prepared to stay at the firm. No idea why I thought that- probably old British tv shows.
I'll go out on a limb and say I'm probably not partner-track...yet...since I am just a third year. My firm's partner track is very long and they make non-equity partners first, so it's not a great place to be a senior associate anyway.
I am on secondment and should return to my firm, but I may not. The company I'm at is doing very well (will certainly IPO or exit in the next year) and that'd be a fun experience to be a part of.
I do think that TLS is a bit myopic about FIRM LIFE FOR EVER. I mean, I'm getting paid the same as at a firm, my hours are better, the people are more interesting, and I get a seat at the table in a way that I absolutely would not at a law firm for many years. Is there a giant pot of gold at the end of in-house tech life? Probably not. But do I get to do interesting work, get paid well and get my life back? Yeah. I've worked at several of the most prestigious firms in the world--news flash--they suck the life out of you! I'm happy now and it's nice. Have to decide if I am going back in the next 2 months or so.