Comments on: Should I Turn Down A $50k Bonus Clerkship Bonus To Start My Own Practice? http://myshingle.com/2008/05/articles/questions-advice/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/ Great Things Come in Small [Law] Practices! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ron Miller http://myshingle.com/2008/05/articles/questions-advice/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-2989 Ron Miller Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:57:37 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2008/05/articles/uncategorized/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/#comment-2989 I have two thoughts. First, I don't think any large firm that hires you requires you to lock in on a long term plan. I really think 95% of the people who come to a large firm are keeping their options open for (1) another firm, (2) their own job, or (3) Plan C. Do you really have to go to them and tell them you might not stay long? If that were the ethical obligation, there would be a long line. But, believe me, many lawyers go it with that thought and then life happens. Gold handcuffs we used to call it. And they can be tight. Second, I think large firm provide a lot of experience young lawyers. For many practice areas, you are better awful learning from smart lawyers - learning how they think and how they approach things. And the reality is there are a lot of smart lawyers at big firms. So even if you long term goal is a small practice, a large firm can do you a lot of good. I have two thoughts. First, I don’t think any large firm that hires you requires you to lock in on a long term plan. I really think 95% of the people who come to a large firm are keeping their options open for (1) another firm, (2) their own job, or (3) Plan C. Do you really have to go to them and tell them you might not stay long? If that were the ethical obligation, there would be a long line. But, believe me, many lawyers go it with that thought and then life happens. Gold handcuffs we used to call it. And they can be tight.
Second, I think large firm provide a lot of experience young lawyers. For many practice areas, you are better awful learning from smart lawyers – learning how they think and how they approach things. And the reality is there are a lot of smart lawyers at big firms. So even if you long term goal is a small practice, a large firm can do you a lot of good.

]]> By: China Law Blog http://myshingle.com/2008/05/articles/questions-advice/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-2991 China Law Blog Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:14:39 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2008/05/articles/uncategorized/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/#comment-2991 <strong>Blawg Review #162</strong> I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Bob Dylan, Man of Peace "I am a man of peace." Kwai Chang Caine, Kung Fu, Episode 8 "Peace lies not in the world...but in the man who walks the path." Master Po, Kung Fu, Episode 8 When I took on thi... Blawg Review #162

I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Bob Dylan, Man of Peace “I am a man of peace.” Kwai Chang Caine, Kung Fu, Episode 8 “Peace lies not in the world…but in the man who walks the path.” Master Po, Kung Fu, Episode 8 When I took on thi…

]]> By: Real Lawyers Have Blogs http://myshingle.com/2008/05/articles/questions-advice/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-2990 Real Lawyers Have Blogs Tue, 27 May 2008 00:48:53 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2008/05/articles/uncategorized/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/#comment-2990 <strong>Authority advises social networking and blogging for starting solo law practice</strong> Carolyn Elefant, author and leading authority on solo law practice, recently advised a current federal court clerk to turn down a $50,000 large law bonus and follow their dream of starting their own law practice. And among some other great... Authority advises social networking and blogging for starting solo law practice

Carolyn Elefant, author and leading authority on solo law practice, recently advised a current federal court clerk to turn down a $50,000 large law bonus and follow their dream of starting their own law practice. And among some other great…

]]> By: Carolyn Elefant http://myshingle.com/2008/05/articles/questions-advice/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-2988 Carolyn Elefant Mon, 26 May 2008 22:19:58 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2008/05/articles/uncategorized/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/#comment-2988 Greg, Thank you for offering another possibility. I do agree that working at a large firm can be beneficial, which is why I don't frequently advise those who receive an offer at a large firm to turn it down. At the same time, this reader has already spent 2 years at a firm, plus this one at the clerkship. Still - you are right that discussing the intentions with the firm can't hurt. It may be that there is a possibility to do short term contract work for the firm or that the firm can help in other ways. Transparency is always the best way to go and often has significant benefits. Greg,
Thank you for offering another possibility. I do agree that working at a large firm can be beneficial, which is why I don’t frequently advise those who receive an offer at a large firm to turn it down. At the same time, this reader has already spent 2 years at a firm, plus this one at the clerkship.
Still – you are right that discussing the intentions with the firm can’t hurt. It may be that there is a possibility to do short term contract work for the firm or that the firm can help in other ways. Transparency is always the best way to go and often has significant benefits.

]]> By: Greg Gordillo http://myshingle.com/2008/05/articles/questions-advice/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-2987 Greg Gordillo Mon, 26 May 2008 22:13:38 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2008/05/articles/uncategorized/should-i-turn-down-a-50k-bonus-clerkship-bonus-to-start-my-own-practice/#comment-2987 Carolyn has offered a not surprisingly terrific response. Having said that, I am not sure I agree with the premise that the bonus should be rejected. The key is in the phrase Carolyn wrote: "Why risk your reputation, your most important asset in your career, for a clerkship bonus and a bit more short term security?" What if the firm were apprised of the intention to leave, and still continued to make the offer of a bonus? In that case, it would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to gain additional training, expand a legal network, enhance a resume, and sock away more cash. Before rejecting the offer, I would at least discuss the issue with the big firm. As an alumni of a big firm who waited a very long time before realizing my law school dream of a solo practice, I can say I have no regrets. The training, acquaintances, and experience I gained were invaluable to me as a solo. The key was that I left on good terms, and my old firm connections remain a great asset. While the bonus offering firm is more likely to say "go on your way" before continuing to extend the offer to one who has already expressed the desire to leave, I see no downside in being forthright with the firm about long term intentions. If the offer remains, I would take it. If withdrawn, the decision to go solo is a little easier. Carolyn has offered a not surprisingly terrific response. Having said that, I am not sure I agree with the premise that the bonus should be rejected. The key is in the phrase Carolyn wrote: “Why risk your reputation, your most important asset in your career, for a clerkship bonus and a bit more short term security?” What if the firm were apprised of the intention to leave, and still continued to make the offer of a bonus? In that case, it would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to gain additional training, expand a legal network, enhance a resume, and sock away more cash.
Before rejecting the offer, I would at least discuss the issue with the big firm. As an alumni of a big firm who waited a very long time before realizing my law school dream of a solo practice, I can say I have no regrets. The training, acquaintances, and experience I gained were invaluable to me as a solo. The key was that I left on good terms, and my old firm connections remain a great asset.
While the bonus offering firm is more likely to say “go on your way” before continuing to extend the offer to one who has already expressed the desire to leave, I see no downside in being forthright with the firm about long term intentions. If the offer remains, I would take it. If withdrawn, the decision to go solo is a little easier.

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