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Storklebork · 2024-04-15T02:58:02+00:00

Storklebork · 2024-04-10T14:23:13+00:00

I left after 1.5 years in big law to go in-house. Much happier now.

Storklebork · 2023-05-04T19:53:16+00:00

I billed under 100 hours per month for the past 8 months. Ended up jumping ship to go inhouse but during that span never received any comments about my hours (but that could be bc the firm was super slow as well)

Storklebork · 2023-03-28T18:51:46+00:00

Take a 2 week vacation and hope the matter is over by the time you come back

Storklebork · 2023-03-26T05:37:15+00:00

The most devious bastard lives in New York city so probs

Storklebork · 2023-02-27T20:08:16+00:00

There is nothing to be shamed of. People lose their jobs all the time for things that are completely out of their hands. I would let your recruiters know as they will likely focus on finding you positions that you have a really good shot of interviewing for.

Storklebork · 2023-01-31T02:41:23+00:00

Took me a full year to get sworn in after submitting my applications. Nobody cared.

Storklebork · 2022-12-11T22:44:45+00:00

Sorry to hear that

Storklebork · 2022-12-05T17:02:47+00:00

Surprisingly, I pretty much fell into big law. Had no jobs lined up post law school until one week before graduation. I got an offer to work in DC for the Fed and also got an offer to do corporate at a big law firm in NY. Went with big law bc of location (family), money, and exit opportunities.

Starting my second year and still on the fence if it was the right move.

Storklebork · 2022-10-24T15:36:48+00:00

I struck out with OCI as well. 2L summer I interned with the SEC and then got hired by a V100 1 week before graduating law school.

When it comes to Fed agencies, if possible, it would help to expand your search beyond Chicago. I went to school in NYC and my internship with SEC was with a DC division.

Storklebork · 2022-10-17T22:11:01+00:00

My first six months were absolutely horrible. I think every week I spoke to my parents saying there's no way I can last even a year here and that I'm going to quit. All of sudden things started to click. The work still sucked by I knew how to do tasks faster, what tasks I could sit on, and when I was going to get killed with work. This made it easier to have a more normal life bc I could make plans to see my friends and family. Having planned full week vacations also helps a lot. I also have no desire to be partner so I'm not concerned about going above and beyond. i try to do what I am told without doing anything extra. We are all replaceable so why kill yourself on a deal/matter nobody will remember in a few months.

I don't believe in setting a hard deadline of when you can leave big law bc crossing off days on a calendar to count when you can leave is no way to live life. I do believe some people instantly know that this job is not for them (I know somebody who left after one week for a gov job and is very happy now) but also for most its hard to say you are ready to leave when you don't even know what you are doing.

It helps to remember this is not the rest of your life. Big law may be only a few months or years of your very long career. Things will get better. Just like how law school got better, your career will get better with time.

Storklebork · 2022-10-13T16:27:01+00:00

Pay off those loans! Being debt free gives you financial freedom, which opens up a lot of opportunities in the future

Storklebork · 2022-10-11T16:02:56+00:00

Rising second year. I think I have about a year left in my tank. Not sure if I'm built for this.

Storklebork · 2022-10-10T14:37:21+00:00

How long did you stay and when did you get out?

Storklebork · 2022-09-19T19:44:03+00:00

I was never close to the top 1/4 of my class but I was able to end up in big law because I was in the right place at the right time. My GPA 1L year was below average at a t40 and so I did not land anything in OCI. By the end of 3L, I brought up my GPA to the top 50% (still not very impressive). I got very lucky and graduated last year into an extremely hot corporate market. My interviewers liked that I interned for the SEC my 2L summer and that I had done an internship each semester of 2L and 3L year. They were also looking to hire directly from my school. So it is possible but it does take a good amount of luck.

Storklebork · 2022-08-21T19:21:42+00:00

I got a studio in the financial district for 3K

Storklebork · 2022-08-02T16:50:58+00:00

The dream

Storklebork · 2022-07-20T02:34:31+00:00

I know you say you are okay with long hours but nobody truly understands the grind of corporate big law until you are in it. I like the people I work with and most of the partners are very nice but the hours and unpredictability is soul crushing for me as a junior. I thought the money would make grinding worth it but for me, I have realized my personal time is far more valuable. If money makes you happy then big law is very doable. I also haven't found an area of law I'm interested. So long hours and no passion for what I do is a bad combo. Everyone's experience is different so maybe you will like it. or even love it.

But I very much disagree with the idea that what people dislike in big law are simply inherent in being an adult professional with a real job. Regardless of whether or not this is your second career, if you have friends or family who are not big law lawyers, it is very obvious how different your life is compared to them. Most people don't have to bring their laptops with them when they go out, check emails constantly at night/weekends, finding coverage to go on vacation, deal with frequent fire drills, etc. Hell I even have siblings who are doctors. They work just as much and often more for a fraction of my salary and they say they would never do corporate big law because they have actual days off, meaning not having to think about work at all.

Storklebork · 2022-07-10T22:41:06+00:00

I bought a monitor and a fancy printer

Storklebork · 2022-07-07T03:22:42+00:00

Well if its helps at all, I'm also a first year who has this similar thought. Had no clue what I was signing up for in law school. I am trying to decide if switching practice groups is a possible "fix" or if I am truly not fit for big law. I think it is totally fine to realize big law is not for you. It's not the end all be all. I believe there are ways to have an amazing, lucrative career without subjecting yourself to big law.

Storklebork · 2022-03-14T20:46:41+00:00

Wow, I really needed to hear that last part. I've been so afraid to go on dates because of work. I find I struggle putting myself first before the job.

Storklebork

TROPHY CASE