WHAT IS BIG LAW AND WHY I CHOSE IT FOR MY CAREER PATH

Hey yalllll! Welcome back to another lawyer-related video! Today I am breaking down why I chose big law to begin my legal career! Many of you may already know but there are a lot of negative things out there about big law, so I thought it was important to make a video explaining a little bit about what people mean when they say "big law" why I chose the big law career path!!
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[@TheAspiringBoss]

Anybody work for or interested in working at a law firm?

[@kaylonmarion7333]

Thanks for this video ! I truly appreciate your viewpoint. I am interested in working at a big law firm. I am a 1L in Baton Rouge interested in interning at a big law firm in the summer of 2021. Do you have any suggestions on when to apply and how to stand out ?

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Kaylon Marion congrats on starting your law school journey!! So the best way to stand out pre interview is going to be to have impressive grades! As a 1L the opportunities for big law are fewer than when you are a 2L just because of OCI. I would start doing resume drops around Christmas breaks and then follow up with your grades/transcript once you receive them. Also talk to your schools career center about what possible opportunities there maybe. Look into whether firms near you have a 1L program and also look for diversity opportunities too.

[@kaylonmarion7333]

@@TheAspiringBoss Thank you so much for your advice ! Will do !

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Kaylon Marion you’re very welcome!! Good luck 💕

[@techauntie]

Not sure 🤔 I’m in school for my paralegal certificate. Studying for LSAT.

[@WinenChill]

I'm glad you're giving people the positives of big law! When I was in law school in NYC all I heard/saw were the big law horror stories which is why I personally chose an in-house (NYC tech) path. If you play your cards right you can earn big law salary while working in-house, after about year 3. Yesss to the coins and paying off Sallie Mae!

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Wine n' Chill yesss maam! And honestly my experience hasn’t been bad. It could be the nyc market but so far the Texas market and the Midwest market has been an overall decent experience. I am starting to feel the pressure a bit more as I get more senior though.

[@WinenChill]

@@TheAspiringBoss Ooo good point! Tbh I think it's the NYC market in general. Pre-pandemic NYC work environment was definitely high stress. I've noticed that across all sectors in NYC even my non-attorney friends experience higher stress work environments compared to my friends that live elsewhere.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Wine n' Chill yes that doesn’t surprise me at all lol

[@giselapolo8133]

Thanks for making this! I'm starting my Law school journey and kept hearing the negatives. From your video I realized that I may like it due to the collaborative environment you described. I love being able to check with others and share that humanity. ❤

[@michellegarr]

This was such a helpful video. I'm a current 1L and in one of my recent videos I attended a panel with big law attorneys. It was kind of overwhelming at first, but super helpful because they were really candid. I appreciate you giving a beautiful break down of the process and all things big law. Cheers to you and your success!

[@BCgal924]

I've never commented on a channel before but your videos are INCREDIBLE. Don't ever change lol. You're funny, straight to the point, upfront about the good/bad, and so so motivating!! I am on the fence about going to law school right now, deciding whether to start the process in undergrad or take time off after school to work, and your videos have provided so much guidance!!:)

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Awwww you’re making me feel special! Thanks so much for your kind words! Good luck with your decision and you decide to go, let me know!

[@AccordingtoAma]

your videos are literally my fave !!!

[@TheAspiringBoss]

AmasBeautyChannel thank you 💕💕💕 appreciate you girl!!

[@elaecstasy]

You're so helpful. Thank you. Please do a video on the cons. 🙏🏾

[@NM-ng6ng]

So informative! I’m watching all your video’s. Could you please give more tips for young lawyers ❤️ Your work is appreciated!

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Yessss 💕💕

[@Theofficialbriannapatrice]

Thankyou for breaking this down! I am applying to law school right now and I always felt pushed to going into the public sector but I am actually open to big law so I appreciate this.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Brianna Marie Road to JD of course girl! The way I see it is no matter what you want to do it’s not a bad place to start to get exposure to some really high level substantive work and help pay off student debt if you have any.

[@Theofficialbriannapatrice]

The Aspiring Boss yes I totally agree.

[@jigyaasiindian3243]

simply phenomenal, great detail and very informative. all the best

[@jakemyatt3727]

Awesome energy and very helpful video!

[@brittxnyakawaii12]

Love this - did a law internship now going back to school

[@99niaalice]

I am sitting with my fresh braids and smoothie. Lol representation matters 💗

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Nia Parker yasssssssss Queen!!! 💕💕

[@DestinyC1020]

Hahaha I love it! 😃

[@Pierrelestafier]

Its crazy how much I can relate as third year assistant attorney from big law in Denmark. In Denmark after your masters you have to work for an attorney for three years as an assistant attorney full time while studying for the bar, where you need to pass a written exam and a practical trial exam. I never imagined working in big law, but the difference between the smaller law firms and big law in Denmark when it comes to salary is big, and everyone here also reveres big law attorneys, and many who work with big law usually later in their career go to big companies. Its been two years since ive graduated, and i have an average monthly salary of almost 120.000 USD each year including bonuses while smaller firms of would be 80.000 usd a year.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Oh wow super cool to know what it’s like in other parts of the world.

[@kobasi2970]

That’s really interesting! I thought only finance came with a large salary in Scandi countries.

[@hyojinlee]

Thank you so much for this video. You're amazing! :)

[@claytonarmstrong1544]

I think your content is unmatched! Wish I would have received some of this concrete insight prior to law school. Definitely useful for this 2L. 💯 thanks for sharing.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Thank you so much 💕

[@cheyannenorman5941]

Thank you for this video! If you do decide to do a video on big law and what’s true or false about it, could you also talk about how you’ve managed to last in Big Law for as long as you have this far? I’ve heard the average BL attorney only last 2-3 years.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Cheyanne Norman yes i definitely can. I think that’s a great topic because from my experience it’s true. It can be tough honestly. My first two firms i was the only black associate. One black associate i had gotten real close with as a summer associate and then by the time i actually started work there, sis was gone! Thanks for the idea and for watching 😊

[@TishaNichelle]

I too was naive - it’s hard to understand outside looking in 🤷🏾‍♀️ But BL was a must for me because of Student Loans 😂😂😂

[@TheAspiringBoss]

So true and i feel you girl!!

[@alyssamedin9591]

I wanna hear more about big law! The process, what stereotypes are true, what kinda projects you get to work on, etc 💕

[@ronnellee-anninnes5624]

Showing you love from South Africa 👊🌷

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Ronnel Lee-Ann Innes thank you!! 💕💕

[@Mel.okuhle]

Same here❤️😭

[@CINDYHIGHLIGHT]

Can you make a video on your major/minor in undergraduate years?

[@marissamonet8960]

I love this!! 💓💓 it’s also very relatable to the accounting industry!

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Thank you!!

[@rochellenicole6658]

Yes, it is! I’m an attorney who use to work in the Big 4 Accounting firm.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Rochelle Nicole so did @marissamonet! It’s crazy how much the two professions are alike

[@marissamonet8960]

Rochelle Nicole yess that’s why I love watching her videos lol sooo relatable!

[@rochellenicole6658]

Marissa Monet glad to meet another attorney who worked at the Big 4!!! 😍😀

[@brandonbradshaw3335]

What camera did u use to film this? Because it is awesome

[@eccentriclocs]

In house 🙌🏾

[@jerryzheng6148]

Tubbo is the only “Big Law” I know

[@desertbiome6526]

YESSIR

[@mikey8247]

Tubbox

[@nadiarodriguez8514]

I am currently a personal injury paralegal wrapping up my undergrads in political science. I want to attend law school and I have thought about switching from personal injury to big law. Any advice on how to make the switch?

[@someonee5084]

What means going in house? (Thank you very much for this video, very helpful)

[@TheAspiringBoss]

It means working as counsel/lawyer for a company (such as Walmart, instead of working at a law firm).

[@someonee5084]

Thank you very much!

[@jessies16]

To encourage positive behaviors

[@delaneypruiett1622]

Can you make a video talking about the steps you go through in law school? I don’t want to go in blind and I’m confused on what it means to become published and when I get internships and moot court or law review. I’ve heard all these terms but it is hard to know what they mean and when they happen. I know there’s more than just get the grades, graduate and then apply for jobs but I don’t know what exactly to do! Thank you so much by the way your videos have been very helpful. I’m a junior in college prepping to take the LSAT in six months and am getting nervous ad feel unprepared. I’m getting a small internship at a small law office now to try and get experience. Is that the right move?

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Yes I think you are on the right track. Timing is good for the LSAT, if you have six months that's plenty of time to prepare. I suggest taking a prep course if you are not already. Also, interning at a law firm in college is a great idea!

[@shegotfit2220]

How hard is it to obtain a big law offer? Is it an extremely rigorous interview process? Do you need to be at the top of your class? Lastly, for the people who leave, where do they typically go? I couldn’t imagine taking a huge pay cut after getting a taste of it 😂. Wonderful video!!!!!

[@TheAspiringBoss]

SheGotFit thank you for the compliment! Once you’re actually interning at a big law firm, from my experience you’re likely going to get an offer unless you do something really bad to screw it up! But the hard part is getting to that point. So the interview process in my opinion isn’t rigorous at all, it’s getting to the interview. I found that the actual interviews were light and conversational. But yes getting an interview is the competitive part. The better school you go to, the more likely people will recruit at your school and grades matter less. For me I went to a lower tiered school so grades were extremely important and so the opportunity to get an interview wasn’t there if your grades weren’t top notch and many of the top law firms didn’t recruit there. But I knew plenty of people who did resume drops with firms and got opportunities. This is a reason why I share my story to show that it is possible even at a not so great law firm. With respect to the pay cut if you leave too early in your career, the paycut is likely to be a lot bigger but As you get more senior it might not be as bad. Also depending on the company there may be some stock options and other benefits that you compensate you in a different way. Also many people go into big law knowing they don’t plan to stay so they are prepared or have an exit plan. Also one thing I should point out is I think market is super important. Texas and Midwest market is a lot A more chill than NY. Its just a different (and likely better culture). And in Texas starting salaries are the sane as NYs payscale.

[@shegotfit2220]

The Aspiring Boss oh wow!! Thank you much for the reply. Sorry to keep putting you to work with all my questions 😭. Being a 23 year old first gen to almost everything (college, graduate school and corporate America), I was never taught these things. You have been so helpful. So getting the interview is the hardest? Hmmm gotcha! I want to go Emory or duke and it seems for Emory the big law firms in Atlanta love to recruit there. For Duke, I have no doubts for any recruitments there at all lol

[@TheAspiringBoss]

SheGotFit of course girl that’s literally why i have the platform! i remember having so many questions and feeling like I didn’t have anyone to ask, so ask away! But yes getting through the door is the hardest part about getting the job but yes with either of those schools, big law will be recruiting at your schools and you’ll definitely have the opportunity. The better the school, the more opportunities you have (at least fresh out of law school)

[@aalegalfocus]

@@shegotfit2220 if you want to work around Atlanta, Emory would be better, but the big NY/DC firms recruit more from Duke. People still have to be at the top of the class to have a chance though. Good luck!

[@iStorm-my5fp]

What are the best specialties or classes to try and get into big law?

[@TheAspiringBoss]

There’s isn’t a specific class just take what you’re interested in. At a big law firm, it’ll be full service so you’ll have all types of practice areas at a big firm (typically no criminal, family, personal injury etc though).

[@bri5990]

what does in house mean? and can you explain the culture of nyc big law vs houston

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Bri in house means you are a lawyer for a company. You don’t work in a law firm and several clients, you work for and are a part of the company you work for. NY has the reputation for the most brutal hours/ lack of work live balance (i can’t confirm b/c i never worked there) while Texas based firms are said to have a better work life balance.

[@bri5990]

@@TheAspiringBoss what about dc?

[@TheAspiringBoss]

I’m not familiar with DC, I never looked into their legal market because it’s so heavily focused on politics which I didn’t have an interest in. If i had to guess its probably similar to NY

[@aalegalfocus]

@@bri5990 DC is pretty much the same. Billable hour requirements and sometimes work on weekend. My ex-husband worked for a big law firm in DC, and there would be plenty of evenings that he wouldn't get home until around 10 pm. The nice thing was that the firm had so much money that they would pay for him to get a private ride home at night. Plus, they would provide gourmet meals at night.

[@bri5990]

@@aalegalfocus thank you for your input, I have plans to practice corporate in DC but Im q little nervous about the hours. I really want a work-life balance

[@pranavpillai7778]

What was your work load like?

[@EzPzLemonYeezy]

Did you go to a T14 law school? People are constantly telling me the Big Law dream is impossible for grads from lower ranked schools.

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Nope I went to a low ranked school. Check out some more of my videos where i touch on my view with that. T-14 is not required but it is ideal though, job prospects wise

[@regiz3418]

"the only person I'd probably pay for a suite for...would be Beyoncé" 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for this! Idk about other people but I'm sold🤣 Big law as a goal (at least immediately post grad) , check ✔️

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Regi Z lol BEY is my girl 😂😂. But yes your point has always been my outlook. You can ALWAYS transition but starting at a top firm in your area will put you off in a good position. When i was looking to move to KC, it literally took me one interview to get a new job and i think where I worked played a huge role in that.

[@regiz3418]

@@TheAspiringBoss Sounds good to me! I'm not even in law school yet but it just makes sense. If you chose to be a lawyer, you ain't choosing it for a laid back schedule. Why not just aim for the top? Also just having a clear and straightforward goal will definitely help with getting through law school. This is gonna be my new motivational video now let's get you those views🤣

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Regi Z lol trueeee! Yasssss thanks for the support!! 💕

[@demibellini6915]

What city do you practice in now?

[@kendalljohnson9172]

algo

[@elufowojuileroluwa8931]

Thank you and I dmed you a while back and you haven’t responded yet ☹️☹️

[@dynamicb7178]

Since a lawyer work a lot is it a bad idea to marry, since I wont have time for a wife?

[@TheAspiringBoss]

Most lawyers i know are married! You will have time. Don’t miss out on life for your career, instead you balance both.

[@dynamicb7178]

@@TheAspiringBoss OK i understand

[@klaohe692]

Could you do a “ day in the life of working in big law “ please 🫶🏽🥺