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‘Moving from a Magic Circle law firm to a US law firm: what should I expect?’

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By Legal Cheek on

7

Junior lawyer seeks insights


In the latest instalment of our Career Conundrums series, a junior lawyer is considering a move from a Magic Circle firm to the London office of a US firm and wants to better understand the differences between the two.

“Hi. I’m nearing 2PQE and looking to move from my current role at an MC firm to a US law firm’s London office. I’ve (potentially) got something lined up but want to know what are some the key differences to expect, particularly around culture, management style etc. I won’t say which US firm for obvious reasons but it’s one of the smaller ones in the City. It would be great to hear from others who have made similar moves.”

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7 Comments

Dolla dolla bill yall

Expect more money.

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(18)(0)

Anon

In terms of culture and management style it can really vary across firms. I know a few US firms where it’s pretty toxic but by contrast I am currently at one where people don’t take themselves too seriously. I hope you’re going to the latter.

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(3)(0)

Been there

Depends on the US firm. Larger ones are essentially MC but with more £££. Smaller ones are a mixed bag as follows:

Positives
– more ownership & agency

– generally more relaxed culture

– more freedom to BD

– more client contact (not always a positive).

– learn more on the job at your PQE.

– £££

Negatives
– leaner teams and inconsistent pipeline = more ups and downs.

– Can feel like a satellite office of the US (also, US deals are a pain).

– Quality of colleagues’ work (inc. partners) is extremely variable; especially pronounced at smaller shops, where recruitment skews towards ‘hunger’ vs technical ability (but these guys are much better at getting stuff done and not sweating the small stuff).

– More work hogging at the department & associate level, which reflects the eat what you kill partner structure and much higher associate bonuses.

– Not as many precedents but PLC’s fine.

Same
– internal politics
– ‘always online’ expectation.
– same hierarchical work structure.
– department stereotypes
– stingier than you’d expect
– good fun if you can find the right people in the firm

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(10)(0)

D

Is PLC fine though?

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(0)(6)

Done that

I agree with this and I would also suggest diligencing partner pay and promotion prospects.

Smaller London offices tend not to be profit centres, so even if they pay Cravath at the associate level, it does not mean you’re in for even bigger bucks at the partner level. Often salaried partners at magic circle firms earn more than salaried partners at US shops.

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(0)(0)

F

More money, basically same hours .

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(1)(0)

W

You’ll do a couple hundred more hours a year, but your job will sometimes start at 2pm when the US wakes up, meaning you finish much later.

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(1)(1)

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