Should I accept this Law Firm Offer?

CatLaw

Just want to throw my 2 cents in here and really muddy the waters. I represent lots of governement employees in employment issues. There is one huge difference between a government employee and a private sector employee -- the government employee has double the protections and options from being terminated. As a private sector employee, unless you are going in on an employment contract, you are an at will employee. For at will people the boss wants to fire you, you are gone unless there is discrimination. For the government employee it is much, much tougher to get rid of someone. So you are giving up a huge amount of security.

I have worked in law firms and now have one of my own, to me that is the best job for an attorney. In Chicago those who go from government atty to a private firm are treated like gold and really appreciated. Yes, it is lots, lots more work and more time spent at the office.

Maybe you can do a little compromising here. Leave the gov on good terms, leave that door open for a re-hire, maybe in a different agency. Make an agreement with the spouse that you will work at this firm for at least 3 full years. At the end of that time you and spouse sit down and evaluate how the new job has changed things. If you/her are unhappy then try to get back to the gov. For the 3 years spend as if you are still making the $65,000 a year and try to save as much as possible. I have seen lots of previously employed gov attorneys try it in the private sector and them come back.

Hard decision -- best of luck.

Ashley H

Do you prefer your family or money? Divorce rate for large firm attorneys is high.

Sophia

This is probably the hardest question to answer that I have seen on yahoo answers so far. Its obvious that you love your family very much and only want whats best for them. Speaking from someone who is not married and does not have any children I may not be the best person for advice but I would seriously write down in two separate columns all the pros and negatives of your current job vs the pros and negatives of your future job.

Yes, one major thing that the new job has would be that it pays double your salary- but is there a way you may be promoted from your current government job to another, higher-paid, government title? Although it may be tough to do- if you have a good relationship with your boss I would tell him/her about your offer. Maybe they will open up and tell you what they have in store for your succession plan- maybe you are already on the verge of a raise/promotion; or they will offer you something to not leave. How much are you worth to your employer?

Another imporant question to ask yourself is do you want to stay in your current job the rest of your life?? It appears that you are successfull if you got an offer to join a firm- it is always a good thing to be desired- but think of all the reasons why you are desired- what have you accomplished at your current position? Maybe it is time for you to move on.

Weigh the positives and negatives of each job and talk to your family and possibly, your boss- you make your own decisions, but as we all know-our world influences every move we make. Good luck and dont be afraid to do what you want to do- this is your life and I am sure your family and friends would support you in whatever decision you make.

Princess Leia

Short answer - no.

Reasons why you should stay:

(1) Your salary will go up at the government agency. You get a raise every year (well, a raise in the level), until you hit the top level (which is usually a IV). You will continue to get raises with the governmental entity until you max out (where I work, the max salary, unless you're a Principal Deputy, Assistant CC, or CC) is approx. $140,000.

(2) Vacations. You can take your vacations without feeling guilty. You say you can't afford vacations, but have you actually looked and where are you looking? And why don't you cash in some of your vacation time (2 weeks worth is the max at the agency I work at) to pay for your vacation? At the private firm, you might be able to "afford" to take vacations but you won't be able to take it for a few years. You can go on an escorted tour to Europe for 2 weeks for a good price.

(3) You have a normal, 9-5 job. With the large private firm, you will have a 7 am to 10 p.m. job. NO time for family or anything like that.

(4) You have a government pension, rather than a 401(k) that the large firm will offer you. You put in your time and are rewarded at the end. At the private firm, you would have to rely upon yourself to invest properly in order to secure a good retirement.

(5) Is it worth it to have a hassle of billable hours and marketing? NO.

(6) As far as college goes, you can put money aside...or your child could go to a state college...well, first a junior college / community college to save money, then to a state university. Or your child could take out loans for his/her education.

(7) Medical benefits - have you compared them at this private firm versus what you are currently paying? It's really pricey.

(8) You cannot be fired without good cause - that is, if you've passed your probation and your position is not "at will" (most City attorney positions are "at will" while County attorney positions are yours to keep after one year). You have more protections with a government job than with the private entity job.

However, at the end, it all comes up to what you decide is best for you and your family. I think family is more important than money...that's why I gave up my large firm position for a government job.

Also, as A.M. said, don't burn your bridges, but then again, would the government agency you currently work at hire you back? There have been several people that left while I have been employed at my job, one wanted to come back, but they wouldn't take her back....so, you would need to find out if they would hire you back and whether you would be able to start out at the same salary or whether you would be going back to the bottom level after leaving...

airjarrod

Talk to your family about it, not us. It won't change our lives one bit!

Ira01

As they say, money doesn't buy happiness, nor does it buy time. From the tone in your question, it appears that you would be unhappy if you take the job. There are significant transaction costs involved in quitting your current job, selling your house, and moving, so it will not be that easy (or cheap) to undo things if you realize you made a mistake.

In addition, although the extra $65K is a lot of money, don't forget that you will pay considerably more taxes on that level of income, so your actual additional take home pay will be substantially less than that. And if the cost of living in the new location is higher, that will also erode some of the increased salary (and if you are moving from a smallish town to a big city, that increased cost of living will be very substantial).

jimbo

Absolutely, the chance to increase your salary and advance yourself is what you are working for. The cold fact is that your children will want to spend less time with you as they get older. So please all the honey and candy answerer's just back off a moment and let me have my say.
.As an attorney you will be used to dealing in facts and the facts in this case, and all fathers come to that, is that we have to provide financially for our families. I can tell you now from experience that 65k will not go far when the children start to think about college.And that time comes around quicker than you think. So you have to move away from your present town, so what, uncle Sam could move you and you would still only be earning 65K.This is a wonderful opportunity for your wife and family to really improve your lives. You can buy a comfortable home similar to your present home and be able to save as well as enjoy with your wife and family that little bit extra. What makes you think that just because you are earning twice as much, you will not be a family man. I am and so are countless like us. I still go to little league and take my daughter to dance lessons. Go for it and good luck

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: