Medium law firms usually employ between 25 and 60 attorneys. The definition of "medium" will vary according to geography. For example, a large firm in Vermont, might be classified as medium-sized in New York, which now has some mega-sized firms. Law firms are considered "large" if they have fifty or more attorneys and are generally located in bigger cities. They tend to provide the greatest opportunities for specialization, the highest initial starting salaries, a steady client base, and a chance to practice law with attorneys who can provide the benefit of valuable legal experience and training. Generally, medium firms are similar to large firms in all regards except everything is on a smaller scale: salaries, the breadth and depth of the client base and the number of highly experienced attorneys available to train new associates.
The nature of the legal work in the largest firms is sophisticated because of the needs of a sophisticated client base. The workload is demanding both intellectually and because of the long hours required. Large firms are usually departmentalized and have a tight hierarchical structure. The "partnership" usually includes one-quarter to one-half of the lawyers in the firm. The rest of the lawyers are salaried associates. Partnership decisions are usually made after seven to ten years.
Both medium and large firms recruit second- and third-year students almost exclusively in the fall. Medium sized firms may also wait until the spring to hire when they can better ascertain their personnel needs. The second-year summer program is used as a vehicle for hiring permanent first year associates. The emphasis in recruiting is generally on academic performance and the candidate's "fit " with the firm's culture and personality.
Few large firms hire students after their first-year summer. Those that do prefer to hire students who attend law schools with which the firms want to establish a recruiting relationship. Large firms in smaller cities sometimes hire first-year students who come from that particular geographic area or who demonstrate a commitment to return there upon graduation. These firms try to maintain a relationship with the students, hoping that they will accept permanent positions. Medium firms are slightly more flexible and will often hire a first-year student with strong credentials.
Among the drawbacks of working for a large firm are long hours, little choice in the types of cases and clients handled, and a highly competitive atmosphere. In addition, unlike past years, when there was a reasonable expectation that if an associate performed well over a period of years, partnership was likely, this is no longer the case. Firms now need to hire far more associates than there will be opportunities for partnership. Students should be aware of this reality and how it may affect career goals. This is especially true if partnership in a large law firm is the student's ultimate professional goal.
Students should also bear in mind that they will likely be highly marketable to other employers even if they do not become partner at the firm with which they began their career. Many associates begin their careers at a large firm and move over to a medium or smaller sized firm after a number of years. For those who want long-term security, freedom and flexibility in the hours they work and the types of clients they handle, the large law firm may not be the best choice.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES FOR LARGE LAW FIRMS
Best Resources:
•National Association for Law Placement Directory of Legal Employers,
www.nalp.org.
•Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, www.martindale.com.
•Law Firm Database, created by the Career Services Office and found on
the computers in the Career Services Resource Center. This information is also
available in hard copy in the Specialty Lists binders in the Career Resources
Library. Law firms in the New England states (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island) and in New York City can be sorted by location
, size and practice area.
•Boston College Law School Alumni Directory, Alumni Office, •Barat
House Boston College Law School Alumni Career Network. This Network is
composed of BC Law graduates who have volunteered to offer career guidance to
students through informational interviewing. The information is available on
the Alumni Career Network file found in the Career Services Folder on the computers
in the Career Services Resource Library. It includes the names, addresses and
phone numbers of participating alumni, as well as their employers and areas
of expertise. Please remember, Network members are to be contacted for information
only, not for purposes of obtaining a job.
•Summer Questionnaires. Read evaluations by BC Law students about their summer
employment experiences. The questionnaires are found in black binders in the
Career Resource Library and are an invaluable source of information.
•Career Services files of firm resumes. These are alphabetized and located
in the Career Services Resource Library.