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CAREER COUNSELOR’S CORNER
Bigger firms not always better [Jim Dunlap] Smaller firms offer less pay, but more involvement
For most of the past decade, law school
tionally gone the small-to-mid-size-firm
University of Miami (Fla.) Law School sees
graduates have been gravitating at an ever-
route obviously place a high value on the
the same.
increasing rate to the nation’s largest law
experience they are gaining. According to
firms. The trend peaked in 2001, when 42.6
the National Association for Law Placement
“There are definitely a declining number
percent of graduates signed on with firms
(NALP), the median starting salary in firms
of opportunities at big firms for graduates.
of 101 or more attorneys. Now, with many
of two to 10 attorneys in 2001 was $43,000.
We’re seeing a greater number of small or
major firms cutting back on new associ-
At firms of 101 or more attorneys, it was
mid-size firms on campus.”
ate hiring, there are indications that more
$100,000 - $125,000 at firms of 251 or more
students are finding their first jobs in small
attorneys.
If the old pattern is indeed changing, it will be a dramatic reversal. First year employ-
or mid-size firms. “There’s a trade-off obviously,” said Zolna.
ment at firms of 101 or more attorneys has
Some graduates have been forced to look
“At larger firms, they’re getting paid more,
increased steadily every year since 1994, go-
toward smaller firms for their first job, but
maybe have more prestige, and have more
ing from 24.9 percent of all grads in 1994 to
others have made the choice on their own.
resources. Here, I’m lawyer, secretary, law
last year’s 42.6 percent. All other firm sizes
The reasons range from more challenging
clerk and file clerk all in one sometimes. But
have been in decline for new associate hires,
assignments to less billable hours pressure,
I really wanted to get good experience right
but current economic trends will almost cer-
a less stressful lifestyle, geographic neces-
off the bat, and I’m getting a jump start in
tainly reflect a shift when this year’s hiring
sity or a combination of all those factors.
terms of experience that will help me in my
statistics come out later this year.
career later on.” One factor directly related to the economy is
Jacie Zolna, a 2002 graduate of DePaul University School of Law, is one who made
As larger firms cut back on new associate
a decline in corporate law practice, which in
the choice voluntarily. Zolna compiled an im-
hiring, smaller firms are beginning to show
turn impacts large law firm hiring.
pressive academic record in law school and
up more frequently for on-campus interview-
would likely have been welcomed at many
ing, and law school career services depart-
“Smaller firms tend to do more litigation,
large firms, but opted to sign on with the
ments are beginning to court those firms
as opposed to corporate, which is off right
four-attorney Myron M. Cherry & Associates
more aggressively on behalf of their grads.
now,” said Miami’s Cox. “Few small firms do corporate, so they aren’t as affected.”
firm in Chicago, where he had worked since his first summer of law school.
“We’ve tried to reach out more to smaller and mid-size firms,” said Anthony Bastone,
This story appeared in the March 2002 edi-
assistant dean of career services at the Uni-
tion of The National Jurist, www.nation-
than I would get in a large firm,” Zolna said.
versity of Colorado School of Law in Denver.
aljurist.com.
“I’m not getting bits and pieces of cases here
“We’re putting together a directory of two- to
- I get full cases, draft briefs, take deposi-
10- and 11- to 25-attorney firms in the
tions, get to run the whole gamut of litiga-
Denver area and contacting those firms to
tion. I haven’t gotten the Bar results back,
determine their needs and offer our services
so I have to have someone sign off on it, but I
on hiring needs and any other concerns.
basically run the whole case,” he said.
We’re taking a very proactive approach.”
Zolna and others like him who have inten-
Marcie Cox, director of career services at the
“The responsibility I get here is far greater
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