Confused and not sure what to do?

Kathi

Sounds like a movie I saw once.

You're right, he should hire someone, but you know better that he probably can't

You probably also know that it is not an easy area to break into and that there are lots of attorneys out there in little offices just eking by.

You have to decide what is best for you. If you don't see a brighter future where you are, then you should look else where.

Loyalty is a good thing, but it isn't the only thing to consider. If you are actually part of the practice then you will benefit from your sacrifice in the end, If you are just an employee, you need to move on if you are not happy.

Certainly he'll be able to hire someone to replace you. Well, maybe just to fill your job.

bcptm

~I read your dilemma and had to read it again to make sure I got the real gist of your problem. You didn't mention if your boss is a general practitioner or if he specializes in a particular law field. Nor did you mention the size of his client base and the approximate percentage increase in new clients per month.

Do you have any idea what it is costing your boss just to keep the doors open in his law firm? Probably not. Here's a sampling of a few of the expenses self-employed solo-practitioner attorneys in private practice have to pay for:

Your salary
his share of your federal and state payroll taxes
his federal and state business taxes
rent or mortgage
utilities
trash collection service
telephone
computers and printers
Internet service
malpractice insurance
business insurance
worker's comp insurance
equipment insurance
attorney licensing and registration fees
state and local bar association fees
all those law books he has and the annual updates
state mandated "continuing education" law courses
newspapers, legal journals
desks and chairs for you and himself
desk lamps, floor lamps, light bulbs
legal size filing cabinets
reception room furniture for clients
if he has a conference room, furniture for that
copying and faxing machines
legal pads
file folders and labels
computer paper
note paper
stationery and envelopes
pencils, pens, staplers, tape dispensers
staples, scotch tape
paper clips and rubber bands
attorney IOLA account checkbook and checks
business account checkbook and checks
payroll account checkbook and checks
...and the list goes on and on but my fingers are getting tired.

Also keep in mind, in addition to his law practice expenses, he probably has an apartment or house and the accompanying expenses that he also has to pay for that. Unless he goes to work naked, he has to wear suits to court and the office. (Have you checked out the cost of men's suits lately? I can buy five outfits for what it costs a man to buy a decent suit.)

Do his clients pay their bills on time every month...or at all?

Consider yourself extremely fortunate that you have health insurance. Most solo-practitioners can't afford it for themselves, let alone their employee(s).

I definitely think you should leave this poor guy and get a job in some big law firm. You don't seem to be cut out for private practice. And your boss deserves someone less narcissistic and more understanding.

Big firm corporate law guarantees you a regular salary but you still will be overworked by normal standards. That's how the law biz works. There's always last minute rush jobs and late nights.

As for me, I'll stick with working for a private practice solo practitioner. I wouldn't trade the excitement (chaos?), independence, learning experiences, pressure, client interaction and overall highs and lows of private practice for any amount of salary and benefits. Best perk I get: I get to go to all his trials..now that's a perk most non-attorney employees don't get.

But for me, a job isn't about money and perks...it's about rockin' and rollin' and having fun.

Nefertiti

You can't expect someone to "take care of you" when it comes to business. You have to look out for yourself. If you have a college degree and 6 years of experience (I assume you may be a paralegal not an attorney), you should have no trouble finding another job, if you can get a good recommendation from your current boss. Maybe you could propose to him that you need the benefits by working for a larger firm but that you will freelance for him when it needs it (if you can manage it). Good luck.

A bigger company will offer you perks that this guy won't be able to offer. You may like him, he may be a nice guy, he may have offered you a job and gotten you out of a working environment you didn't like, but you don't owe him anything. You're working your tail off for him, so I think you're even.

You have to do what's best for you. He'll be able to find someone else.

shootingstars957

You should stay where you are at and ride it out.....it will pay off. Be loyal and your employer will recognize this. A big attorney firm will not treat you the same as a smaller office. Bigger firms are cold and harsh and you have no alliance or security. Stick it out and you will not be sorry................

It sounds like working for a small company. You feel like you should help out more and you like the guy so you do not take care of yourself. It is a bad situation and he needs to make you some guarantees that your job will become manageable and when. I would start looking and I would think about why you keep ending up in this position. Perhaps you could look at your boundaries at work and if you can not protect yourself you need to work for a big company that will protect you.

But I think it is the boundary thing that needs work

DONNA

For one thing you are in a industry that is tough to find work that is only a 8-5 work day. Second the first place that you work for couldn't you sue the boss for defamation, being that you quit and was not fired and then telling prospective employors that? I think you should atleast give this new boss a chance (atleast two more yrs) just think of what it will look like on your resume if you leave every job when it tough and you should have know starting a new firm is alot of hard and time consuming work.

lonelydreamer_kls

Well this depends on how valuable you think you are to the legal field right now... Sometimes we have to start out small to make it big... I know from personal experience that going from job to job looks really bad so you should keep that a factor in mind as well (how long have you stayed with these two firms). Also, has he kept up with his end of the deal? Does he follow through with what he promises you? Feeling bad about taking time off and taking care of yourself is never a good thing to start - taking care of your self and your needs should always be a priority as long as they are legit! You are not responsible for his feelings or how his company is doing if he simply is not cutting the mustard you know what i mean... If you truly fell in your heart and soul it is time to move on I am a firm believer always trust YOUR INSTINCTS!!! The legal field is a booming business and always has opportunities and you necessarily don't have to be with the big firms to be successful. I have grown up with law all my life my family is full of lawyers, judges, legal assistants and paralegals. There will always be an abundance of law opportunities where ever you are or choose to go. Hope this advice helps follow your heart it will never lead you astray....

Madame Morticia

Asksomeone you know and trust.

CatLaw

Knowing first hand how much it costs to run a law firm, I am surprised you have health ins without you paying for half of it. When you work for a small firm you take a gamble that one day the firm will get that super case and money will pour in. It actually takes 5+ years for a small law firm to start making a regular profit that can be depended on.

My advice to you is to find a job in a company that can give you all the perks that you feel are important. But take note that in a big company you will never have the autonomy that you do in a small firm. You will have multiple bosses that need to be pleased and there is nasty office politics that every big company is plagued with.

Don't worry about your boss. He will be able to replace you with a paralegal in training or a law student who is going to school. It is not unusual for law students to volunteer to work in a law firm for FREE just to get the experience.

Send out your resumes, find your big company with lots of benefits, then go to your boss and make sure you give him two weeks notice. Keep your leaving friendly, and keep in touch with him, you may be able to go back once the firm gets settled.

MIREYA - SUPER WOMAN!

LEAVE BEFORE U GET A HEART ATTACK

suzanne g

All's fair in love and war, and this is war. It's your career. If it makes you feel better, let him know you have to make more $ and have better benefits and give him a very generous notice, like 4 weeks, so he can hire someone else.

red&sassy

follow ur gut. i don't believe him.

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