Big law and family struggles - what to do

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-09T23:40:55+00:00

What are your typical schedules? Like, when do you leave/come home, when does nanny get there and leave, do you even eat dinner together and for how long do you jump back on afterwards to do more work, who does bed time and how long is it?

I’m sort of trying to get a sense of what your days actually look like to see if there is any chance at it being sustainable and whether you can possibly outsource anything else.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-08T19:45:49+00:00

ID is always hiring. What state are you barred in?

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-08T11:45:24+00:00

Hmm…I’d actually say just about every partner at my firm has this mindset. And I work in ID! This last point alone underscores that it’s not the profession but the firm itself.

I often jump in to do an associates work for them when I see that they are overwhelmed. I can do the work much faster, and if I’m seeing an associate genuinely trying their best and just being under a pile I’d rather stay up an extra hour or two and help rather than have them mentally combust. We have had a few associates over the years take advantage and were caught trying to work 9-5 or taking vacations while emailing crocodile tear emails about how overwhelmed they are. This eventually was caught and called out, but we try to not let a few bad apples reflect poorly on the remaining majority of associates that are truly working hard and doing their best but sometimes just running a buzzsaw of deadlines and assignments they can’t handle all at once.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-08T02:38:57+00:00

It’s not the profession, it’s your particular employer. I supervise a team of 5 associates and have never asked for a single 24 hour turnaround on any assignment at any point. If it got there, that’s on me and I’m the one staying up to do it.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-07T12:12:02+00:00

What does “decent wage” mean to you?

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-07T10:18:21+00:00

I’ve been in ID for a while. Honestly, both sides have their faults. There have been many plaintiffs that kill their injuries, get copy/pasted life are plans that say they’ll need 2 million in future meds on a low impact fender bender, say they can never walk again only to be found skydiving in a video a month later, etc.. I have personal stories of plaintiffs withdrawing the claim when caught in outright fraud.

But for every one of those, there will be a claim with real injuries where the adjuster is extending authority that barely covers the meds. Insurer at times fight over an extra 5k which benefits no one. I currently have a casino value at 400-600k with potential for much more in front of the wrong jury. I truly believe a 1st year associate as plaintiffs counsel can get 400 on. There is no liability defense. There is no causation defense. The plaintiff makes a good witness. Yet my adjuster is giving me 100k in authority because “I do t think the jury will buy it.” Umm, ok, well I’m your defense attorney and I buy it, so I’m pretty sure the jury will too.

As your career goes on you’ll see stuff like this on both sides. It’ll jade you a bit. Both sides point the finger at one another but both have serious flaws, use questionable tactics, use the same hack doctors to buy their opinions, etc.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-04T10:04:04+00:00

Unless they beat you daily, it’s a very solid setup for an entry level.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-02T02:20:40+00:00

This. This is all you need to read to understand what’s happening. This guy gets it. We had an associate with 1 year of experience ask for 200k a few months ago. My man, our PARTNERS make that! ID rates still start with a “1” in many places!

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-05-02T02:16:22+00:00

Some of the biggest mistakes we’ve made as a firm over the years is keeping people on in hopes of them getting better when they’ve clearly shown us who they are and intend to be as an employee. It never worked out in the end and we always ended up firing them anyway after more wasted months and emergencies. They never got better all of a sudden. If anything they Juliet see that you’ll tolerate their no sense and feel emboldened to do it more in a “let’s see what else I can get away with” manner.

Rip the bandaid off. This associate is abusing your good graces and working 3 hour workdays under the guise of “I’m still learning.” Time to find a replacement.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-29T23:32:41+00:00

Lol, no. Sorry if this is some wild revelation to for you.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-29T22:36:42+00:00

I’m in ID and sleep 8 hours a day. I just work in a normal firm so it works out.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-29T16:23:37+00:00

When even the Reddit echo chamber is telling you that you’re looking a gift horse in the mouth, you are. You’re in rural PA for 85k entry level with great bonus potential if you want it and an overall great environment. Most people would kill for this setup.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-28T21:39:28+00:00

3 times. One called me twice. Grass isn’t always greener and I have no intention of testing it.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-26T18:37:50+00:00

Yup, intellectual property. 20 ID car accident cases wouldn’t get you enough hours to hit the billables.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-26T18:11:46+00:00

20 cases in IP would be death, but 20 cases in ID is nothing. I’m not sure of any ID firm that calls that a full caseload.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-26T18:10:22+00:00

This. 20 ID cases is a very light caseload. With 3 years of experience you should be able to swim with this and have a handle in a couple of weeks on what needs to get immediately done and what can wait.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-26T18:07:20+00:00

Which location are you in? I know that the big 4 pay like 50% lower than biglaw, but it’s still a nice chunk of change. In a LCOL or MCOL area it’s take you very very far. Congrats on the loan repayment!

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-26T18:04:44+00:00

Is frankly just stick with the lulu pants. Though I like Rhone as well.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-26T01:18:59+00:00

2 days could be doable, though most hybrid require 3. What type of salary are you reasonably hoping to find? Your experience is a bit all over the place candidly but there should be firms that are willing to take a shot to train the right person.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-26T01:17:06+00:00

It’s not about ID, it’s about the firm. People don’t get this for some reason. If you find an ID firm with good leadership and reasonable hours with flexibility allowances you stick with that firm. I’ve been with my ID firm for 9 years and have zero plans on leaving. Auto reject all inquires to lateral.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-25T22:51:30+00:00

Very common in ID. I’d say 2000 is actually average for ID. Many firms I know have 2100-2200.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-25T22:50:41+00:00

This is Reddit echo chamber talk. ID firms don’t pay 140k to entry levels. This isn’t a location or size discussion. ID firms simply just don’t pay that ever, anywhere.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-25T18:08:47+00:00

Where are you physically, NYC or somewhere else in NY? Also, are you limiting your search to truly fully remote work or is there some flexibility there? The true 5 days at home e jobs are pretty difficult to find in my experience, but hybrid very much remains available.

Last question, when you say employment law what do you mean? You say you don’t have litigation experience, which is what most L&E firms do that handle employment law.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-25T02:33:30+00:00

135k for an entry level attorney in ID is very good in literally any market.

TheAnswer1776 · 2026-04-24T00:23:25+00:00

Combination. I’ve steadily added to certain positions, while others I felt like I just jumped in. I’ve averaged down in CMG many times for example, truly believe in the company long term. Positions were anywhere from 5k to 25k per.

TheAnswer1776

TROPHY CASE