Should I join a big law firm?

Jan 11, 2023

Written By Annika De Lathauwer

Whether to join a big or small firm is a question in many aspiring lawyer’s minds. It can be the thing that makes or breaks your legal career, so it is important that you really think about and reflect on what is important to you to have in and to get out of your job.

Why you should join a big law firm

One of the biggest draws for joining a large law firm is the higher salary that comes along with the job. These placements are highly competitive, but if you can manage to secure one, you will be generously compensated. Other highly qualified people will also be attracted by the higher salary. This means that you will have great opportunities to get to know these people and work with and learn from them. You will be able to take advantage of the large network as much as possible.

By using the network, you can make friends with your colleagues and become a better lawyer by learning from and working with others.

Overall, the firm will have a larger budget to do things, meaning more experiences and opportunities, such as travelling. A big law firm will also have a larger and more diverse client base, meaning that not only will you benefit from a wider range of cases and tasks that you will see, the firm itself will also be more financially stable.

Big law firms are also known for their excellent training programmes. As they have more money, they are able to invest in a larger training programme budget, which you as a trainee will greatly benefit from. A lot of prestige and recognition will come along with working at a large firm.

Not only is this a great way to impress your friends, but it will also be very useful if you ever decide to look for further jobs, either at an in-house position, transitioning to a smaller firm, moving to another large firm, or even moving to a career outside of law. It is always easier to move from a role in a big law firm to a smaller one, as opposed to vice versa, largely because of the training you will have received.

At a large law firm you will constantly be surrounded by challenging high-level work. You may even be involved in some of the high-profile cases that feature in the news. This can be extremely exciting, as well as beneficial to furthering your career. You will also be able to really specialise in an area, in which you will be able to pursue your specific interests and really hone your skills in that area.

Lastly, there are also amazing pro bono opportunities, which you will have the chance to get involved in. These will allow you to give back to your community, as well as others, and make an impact in someone’s life, who might otherwise be in a far worse-off position without your help.

Why you should not join a big law firm

Although the pay is significantly lower at a small law firm than it is at a large one, the work-life balance tends to be considerably better. You will not have to worry about long, irregular hours.

This can be a very good option for those who find that they cannot commit to so many hours in a week, for example, if you are supporting a family member. The larger salary also comes with more expectations, which means working harder and for longer hours.

Big firms also tend to focus more on billable hours, meaning that the work is highly intensive and there is a pressure to consistently perform to a very high standard. Smaller firms will still expect good quality work but may be slightly more lenient.

Over-specialisation at large law firms can make the work very repetitive. It also does not allow you to branch out and pursue other areas of interest. The formality of large firms can also be off-putting, as some find it too formal for their personal work style. For example, at many big law firms you must follow certain rules and protocols at all times.

Finally, you may feel like a cog in the wheel at a big law firm. There will be a large trainee intake, as well as a large number of senior lawyers and partners. You’ll also receive less responsibility as a trainee than you would in a smaller firm.

What to do

At the end of the day it is entirely your decision, and you have to be happy in the choice that you make. You have to think about what personally motivates you (salary, work-life balance, specialisation) and what type of environment you want to be working in. Consider everything discussed above and decide what is most important for you to have in a job.

Becoming a Lawyer