Recently Graduated from Law School? Think Small.

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Summary: With the economy still recovering from the recession, small firms offer opportunity for recent law school graduates.

As lawyers, we’re often indoctrinated to “go big or go home.” But as the economy continues to recover from the recession, many recent law grads are learning that small firms have something special to offer that big firms don’t: the chance to gain more experience.

  

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Sure, large law firms have larger salaries and amazing perks and parties. But do you really want to spend your first years out of law school pouring through diligence and drafting Schedule A?

Small firms often offer a more hands-on approach, and give first-year attorneys large amounts of responsibility, a variety of work, and opportunities to interface with clients.  This leads to faster professional growth.

The National Association of Law Placement states that small firms are providing more jobs to recent graduates. This has been especially true the last few years, when economic stability has been uncertain and many large firms have implemented hiring freezes and layoffs.

Small firms may be better-suited to adapt to changes in the economy. They have less red tape, and it’s easier for them to get the ball rolling when the market picks up. Small firms also have attorneys that specialize in more than one area; when the recession affects one specialty, they can often shift attorneys to a different area instead of laying them off.

Studies have also shown attorneys no longer want to work the long hours required by large firms. They want more flexibility in their hours so they can spend time at home with family and friends.

Attorneys at small firms also tend to get promoted faster. Making partner or gaining ownership interest can take many years at a large firm. With smaller firms, the timeline is shorter.

When an attorney is less focused on salary and more concerned with the type of work they will be doing, a smaller firm is often a better fit.

Source: https://www.lawcrossing.com/article/900046041/Small-Law-Firms-Prove-to-Be-Big-Source-of-Jobs/?utm_source=PC&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=t_16239–dt_20151015-cid_34061-Did_201856-ad_Seeker.LC.Legal.FirstStep/VistorResumeUpload-logid_14386660

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