Why the Firm Wants to Start You as a Second Year
[00:00:00] I received an offer from AmLaw 100 law firm to start as a second year. I have six years of experience in an accounting firm in-house, in a law firm. About two years of my experience was with a mid-sized law firm. Should I consider asking to begin as a third-year associate or just accept starting as a second year?
My experience is thus far is mostly in tax, but I will be expanding more. general/M&A, tax, and possibly some real estate.
It's important to ask yourself why the firm wants to start you as a second year.
The reason they want to is for their clients. Most likely, they may see other reasons, but if they start you as a second-year they can charge a lower billing rate for you and they can give you more work that will give you more experience.
That's probably why they're doing that. The thing I would say is that your pay is not going to be much different as a year than it would be as say a third or fourth year. It may be different, but if it was me, I just wouldn't worry too much about it.
I would take the position and work hard for the next five years and see what comes to that. I think that once you get that on your resume no one's going to ask you if you're interviewing to be a general counsel someplace four [00:01:00] or five years what level you're at, they'll think you're the 12th year, whatever, or 11th year at that point.
So I really wouldn't worry about it. I think you're very blessed to be in the position you are to be getting this offer and getting that experience and you should be very happy. And the other thing too is that. think may ask them if they could start you as a third or - associate, but if you don't plan on being there forever, it's not gonna make much of a difference.
Anyway, if you work very hard there for five years, you'll probably be in the same place you would be, you might be a little richer in terms of the money received, but not much. So I would if it was me, I would do that, especially if most of your experiences in tax, and now you're getting a chance to corporate.
Once you get corporate and M&A experience and real estate, you'll be in a great position in tax. You're being a great position to go and house maybe a general counsel, or with the corporate M&A experience tend to go into other firms or to bring in clients in the corporate market.
So I think what you've done is very difficult and very few people can transition to a law firm that sat awesomely. Top, large, and stuff at your stage in your career. You should be very proud of [00:02:00] yourself and what you've accomplished. And, I think that's great news.
