Midlevel in a niche practice. I know I’m leaving my firm soon, nothing bad about it but don’t want to make partner there or stick it out.
My practice does not typically have true in-house positions for it, especially in the city where I live (and I am not open to relocating). Theres two options I can realistically take:
1: Midlaw firm, regionally quite respected. Basically same job description as I do now, just lower middle market. Pay tops out about 350k, 1800 hours for bonus (under market, but close to market if working 2000+). Partnership path does not seem to be up or out.
2: Fed Gov, GS-14 position (basically highest non managing attorney role). Pay is like 190k, which is a big pay cut ofc. But, there is a pension of about 80k a year inflation adjusted at 62 according to my math, and I still have loans that would qualify for PSLF, saving me about 150k compared to standard repayment, since I didn’t pay anything down during the SAVE forbearance. Job seems cool, likely insulated from other government issues and was untouched during the DOGE purge. Also, strict 40 hour workweek.
Obviously two very different paths. Curious what r/ biglaw thinks.