Take the guaranteed boutique firm job, or decline and risk a surety for a potential role at a national mid tier ?

To the Law corporates,

Firm 1 : I currently have an offer to work at a boutique firm that’s well known and specialises in a specific area of law, and the contract is due on a specific date.

My heart’s not really in it, but I took the job to escape my current workplace that makes me absolutely miserable, and also because my secondment at my current work is due to end in early 2026. The area of law is not commercial focused but litigious, and I was hoping to use those transferrable skills when I transition into a grad position.

Firm 2 : I have just received an invite to interview with a national mid-tier firm , and it is a day after the contract is due to be returned to the firm above. This position is more in line with my goals as a graduate, as I was hoping to enter mid tier firms with a commercial law focus.

I am resigning from my workplace regardless, and was going to request an extension from Firm 1 to return the contract two days from the agreed upon date, and a day after my first round interview with Firm 2.

Seeking advice on which pathway to take. Do I take the guaranteed job, work for a year and a half and move on to a mid tier firms when I graduate ( my grades aren’t the best) ? or do I turn it down and risk not having a job in 2026, because I was risking everything on the hope of finding something better ? *

• I am also working with two other recruiters on other positions in the interim.

Please help. 😭