Yet another article, Smaller Can Be Beautiful for Some Lawyers, (bizjournal, 11/2005) on biglaw attorneys leaving their firms for smaller – or in this case, mid-sized pastures. But what I found so sad about this piece is the reason that some folks stay on at biglaw: not because they prefer the work but rather, they love the view. Here’s a quote:
Jenkins, the lawyer who joined Jeffer Mangels, said that while she has fond memories of Littler Mendelson, she thinks she is a good fit with her new firm. She even finds she doesn’t miss some old creature comforts. “I used to be on the 27th floor of the Littler building,” which offered sweeping views of San Francisco Bay. “I used to think ‘How am I going to get up in the morning?’ without that view.
Seems to me that if the only reason that you’re going to work is to stare out the window, that doesn’t sound like reason to stay…but reason to leave.
Agreed.