Wrong Topic, Wrong Timing: Why I’m Ignoring That Recruiter’s Call (Or…Should I Actually Take It?)
So maybe I’m ignoring the recruiter’s call now, happily entrenched in my fortress of 2,200 billable hours, but what if — just what if — I were to pick up? Let’s entertain that for a moment. After all, maybe there are a few compelling reasons to give in, swipe right, and see what my legal matchmaker offers.
Here’s why that “missed call” might not stay missed forever.
Because Partnership Isn’t Quite the End-All-Be-All (Shhh, Don’t Tell)
Look, I am grateful for the title. Partnership is like a shiny gold medal in the marathon of law firm life — but that shine has dulled a bit. Turns out “Partner” doesn’t come with an automatic bump in vacation days or an assistant to handle my calendar. And while I’m here with my new responsibilities (a.k.a. the “everything else” list), some of those other firms are advertising paths to partnership without the grueling three-year rituals. Could it be that the grass really is greener? Maybe taking the call would be like peeking over the fence to see if there’s an easier way to climb the same mountain.
There’s More Than One Way to Bill 2200 Hours (and Maybe Even Less?)
Here’s the thing: I’m a champion biller, and I’ve gotten good at squeezing every last minute out of a day. But every so often, someone whispers about firms where “flexible” isn’t just a buzzword in the diversity and inclusion report — it’s real. “2200 hours” might be optional. And “balance” might mean something other than just a faint memory from my pre-law days. The idea of billing less and actually having a life that involves things like hobbies, friends, or even just a full night’s sleep? Intriguing.
So yes, maybe I should at least hear them out. And, who knows? Perhaps there’s a position with 1800 billable hours and an actual exit ramp when I’m ready to step off the partnership treadmill.
The Call of the Origination Credit
At my current firm, it’s all about origination credits. If I bring in a client, I get a slice of the pie…except I’m competing for that pie with everyone else on the team. The recruiter might be offering a deal where I actually get to keep my own “pie,” and with all the fixings. Imagine a place where I can bring in a client, develop the relationship, and not watch those credits slowly dissolve like a mirage at bonus time. If another firm has a more generous approach to credits — where, say, the 2 am pitch meeting doesn’t go unrewarded — then maybe there’s merit in taking that call.
Adventure Calls (and Maybe So Does Work-Life Balance)
Sure, I’ve got “adventure” in the form of endless filings and partner meetings — but real adventure, where I set my own schedule and use my passport occasionally, feels like a distant dream. There are firms with travel perks and even positions that encourage remote work. Imagine dialing in from a leisure rental somewhere instead of the tiny, windowless conference room they stuck me in back at the office. If a recruiter is dangling that kind of dream in front of me, who am I to say no?
Maybe There’s More Than Just Partnership…Like the Elusive Path to GC
Let’s be real: the world doesn’t begin and end with law firm life. And while I might love the adrenaline of the Big Law hustle, I’ve also started eyeing the idea of going in-house someday. The General Counsel title sounds very appealing, and if Princeton Legal Search Group has connections that can land me a direct line to that seat, then maybe it’s worth a little chat (and we do.) Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to step back, reassess, and listen to what options exist beyond this narrow one-way street of the partnership track.
The Curiosity Factor (a.k.a. FOMO)
Then there’s the simple fact that — even though I love my firm, my office, and my day-to-day routine — I can’t help but wonder what else is out there. Sure, 98% of recruiter calls lead to nothing, but every now and then, someone lands the “sweet spot” role. An 1,800 hour target at full salary? A position with origination and collection credits? A career that allows me to use my expertise and passion without feeling like a hamster on a never-ending wheel? Maybe that dream job is out there, and this recruiter has it. Or maybe I can secure some market intel about compensation and bonus payouts….
So, recruiter, I’m not promising anything — but you’ve piqued my curiosity. I might just pick up next time and see if you’re offering the answer to that elusive question: is there a legal paradise beyond the 2200-hour horizon? If not, well, there’s always voicemail.
