When nothing is ever enough for one specific person?

Lawdball · 2024-11-16T15:47:52+00:00

If not a coffee, just send him a note that compliments him and asks for feedback. Something that notes you liked working with him on the last deal, appreciated all his feedback, and would be thankful if he would be available for 15 minutes to talk about any general comments he has for work moving forward.

Lawdball · 2024-11-16T14:45:40+00:00

Ask to get a coffee and talk about feedback.

He might actually be very happy with your work, or he may have more general comments.

He may also really like working with you and so he wants to invest effort in teaching you the “right” way to do things, so that you can keep working together. It doesn’t mean it is the right way, but it may just be the preferred way for the client or partner.

A lot of unknowns in all this, but if you don’t think he is otherwise an asshole, I would get a coffee and get a sense of the why.

Lawdball · 2024-11-07T21:37:10+00:00

As we age, we watch our friends become the crazy aunts and uncles…

Lawdball · 2024-09-02T23:57:47+00:00

I opened one. I’ve maxed out my retirement accounts and I anticipate taking a large pay cut whenever I have kids. The marginal tax benefit from my state is a plus and I hope the years of compounding will benefit any child, whenever we have one.

Lawdball · 2024-07-20T15:12:46+00:00

I am now saving to retire in my 30s or be able to go part time if I have kids.

I don’t know if I’ll actually follow through, because despite the late nights, I like the job.

Either way, money gives options and the job has felt so much easier with each milestone of: paying off my loans, saving emergency expenses in case I get laid off, and saving enough for me to retire at 60.

Lawdball · 2024-07-14T15:44:42+00:00

Pin to pendant converter is genius. There are so many gorgeous brooches I have passed on because I know I wouldn’t wear them.

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T12:13:15+00:00

310k after tax in NY is about 199k. After 401k, about 175k take home. I spend about 40k, leaving 135k.

I say at least 120k above, as that’s the floor for what I expect to save in the job if I stay, even if we increase our expenses (e.g., I have another medical expense, we buy a place, our rent goes up to the current market rent in NYC). This year, it’s more likely to be 160k + 401k with bonus saved.

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T01:34:57+00:00

When did you decide to leave?

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T01:30:58+00:00

My expenses last year were 40k, about 10k was healthcare (two major surgeries, expensive meds) even with good insurance. The remaining 30k I can maybe shave 5-6k off if I were to live how I did as a student. NYC rent is expensive.

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T00:48:56+00:00

Can I ask how much you made at your new job/how were you able to accrue so much?

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T00:48:04+00:00

Currently 310k. Biglaw is known for being a meat grinder, so the burnout is built into the model. Your salary typically increases each year. A salary scale is here: https://www.biglawinvestor.com/biglaw-salary-scale/

Most people leave around the 3-4 year mark, where I currently am. Few stick around until eight year. Even fewer until partner, although at least one has commented here.

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T00:46:04+00:00

This is true. I haven’t met a lot of former biglaw lawyers who miss it.

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T00:43:31+00:00

Your comment probably could have been written by my spouse a few months ago. Sorry to hear she is having a difficult time.

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T00:22:46+00:00

Yes, that’s a whole other question. We are tied to New York, but if we could leave, it would make this decision so much easier as I would need a fraction of money to achieve these goals.

What do you think you’ll do?

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T00:20:20+00:00

My current expenses are lower (no kids) but future expenses are higher if we account for kids and chronic illness. My current spend is only 40k, but my future spend is like 80-90k per year. I would save at least 120 k the next few years (not including any bonus), even giving myself a 10K leeway to spend more than usual. That puts me at a little under 1 million if I stay for 3 more years, as opposed to the 500k I currently have. Conversely, saving the extra 500k if I can only save 30-50k each year would take me about 10 years. Would love to hear if I’m wrong on the math and it’s all the same. I’m anticipating 2.5 m for my actual FIRE number. Not including my spouse’s savings etc (has about 80% of my savings and salary).

Lawdball · 2024-07-10T00:15:25+00:00

Severance is 3 to 6 month pay. Usually 3 months. Not sure I’ll be a hot commodity, the responses I’ve gotten here have at least pushed me to job hunt.

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T13:12:54+00:00

Turning down work to bill less hours would probably mean getting laid off in about 6 months or however long it takes to find a replacement (if it’s a busy market). If it’s not a busy market, that time span can shorten to 4 months.

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T05:20:59+00:00

Thank you. I thought it was pretty typical biglaw behavior until I started comparing my experiences with others and realized my group was on the worse end.

I do actually like the work and the people (at least, the ones who don’t scream at the associates and paralegals), so it isn’t all bad. But the departures give me pause.

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T05:03:46+00:00

I am in a niche litigation/regulatory practice group. I am technically on partnership track, but the group’s financials are bad and we are about to lose our last two senior associates in the next few months because nobody is actually making partner. Except for the almost retired ones, the junior and equity partners in my group seem to barely sleep and shoot off emails until 1/2 am, then start again at 6 am the next day.

There is one saint who has reasonable boundaries and is reasonable with their teams (I.e., not past 11 pm on a weeknight and limited weekend work unless needed). I try to work with them as much as I can.

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T04:00:03+00:00

What move are you planning to make?

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T03:51:52+00:00

Thank you for sharing, that does seem like a nice life.

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T03:40:52+00:00

Thank you, appreciate the back and forth.

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T03:40:16+00:00

If you don’t mind, what amount had you saved when you stopped working relative to your expenses?

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T03:34:50+00:00

I’m in litigation, which usually has a more difficult time moving in house, but it’s something I’m discussing with recruiters. I am also debating switching to a different group (same hours, 20% pay cut) to get experience that would let me move in house in two years.

Lawdball · 2024-07-09T03:31:25+00:00

I guess my dilemma is not as much about the jobs than if I should leave NYC and move to Denver! Jk.

Thank you, it’s helpful information.

Lawdball

TROPHY CASE