s/o stopping working an AW and questions

[SJ]

Congratulations on the offer!

In your head, how many hours/how did you envision PT to look like?

If you already have flexibility, I would jump at the option to double your compensation, but I'm not a lawyer and this is obviously a really personal issue.

[Deleted]

I'd consider what twice as much money can buy you to reclaim time.

[h]

What hours would you have to work as a partner? Would it take part-time off the table permanently? Could you take the partnership, stay full-time for a couple more years, and then potentially cut back your hours (and also your comp) down the line?

Eta -- and congrats!!! That's awesome! FWIW, I think I would have a really hard time turning down partnership.

[SJ]

Also, what would your plans be for all that extra money? Do you have financial goals that would now be in reach?

Honestly, I know that one of the biggest reasons that I am so happy working FT and with the balance I have is because I outsource EVERYTHING. I have weekly cleaners (who will do laundry), I have groceries/meal plans delivered, I have milk/dairy delivered by another service, we have a yard service, I use Amazon Subscribe & Save, etc.

The only "chores" I can think of that I do regularly is to wipe things down, sweep the floor under the high chair, and run the dishwasher every night. DH does literally nothing. We are pretty equal on parenting "tasks". So when I get home at 4:30, I really focus on DD. We read, go to the park or library, see friends, whatever, which also leaves me guilt-free leaving her for date nights, couple/solo trips, etc.

I am very aware that this is not possible for most people, but it might be if your comp was to double?

[leonard131]

Sept 29, 2015 12:11:43 GMT -5 @upnorth said:

Sept 29, 2015 12:02:31 GMT -5 h said:

What hours would you have to work as a partner? Would it take part-time off the table permanently? Could you take the partnership, stay full-time for a couple more years, and then potentially cut back your hours (and also your comp) down the line?

Eta -- and congrats!!! That's awesome! FWIW, I think I would have a really hard time turning down partnership.

Thanks.  This is what I'm kind thinking about-would people feel betrayed if in 3-5 years I say, you know this isn't ideal for my family.  It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up but after seeing it in practice it doesn't work.  My dad is saying this is a no brainer since I wasn't planning to go part time immediately I should do it and potentially cut down.

Not an attorney but if you think it will work for your family and you were not planning on going part-time right away I say go for it. It seems like they really trust you and value your work enough to make you a partner that you may find that you can eventually work out a PT or 2/3 arrangement that works for everyone. As you stated above if it doesn't work out you can bow our gracefully. People leave for all sorts or reasons but to not take an opportunity just because of "what may" happen seems like you might be regretting it down the road.

[mlt]

Congratulations!!!

How old are your kids? I personally could not turn that down, especially when I think about how that $$$ could help my kids, give us the chance to travel, etc. It sounds like for now at least you have a pretty cool gig going.

[pinotgrig]

Congrats!

You've gotten some good feedback so far, but as partner will you still have the same flexibility you have now?

[Susie]

congrats!  Whatever you decide is right for your family, it's a wonderful opportunity to have.

I made (non-equity) partner in 2013, which I had wanted to do before having kids.  At my firm, which has fluctuated over the last 10 years between about 10-15 attorneys, the tendency was for peoples' careers to stagnate at the senior associate level (rather than the non-equity to equity jump), so if I was going to make it, I felt I needed to do it pre-kids.  Of course that means I don't know anything yet about balancing partnership and parenthood.  All I know is that I'm going for it  I never really thought twice about whether I should take it, particularly at the non-equity level.  I like having a seat at the table, and I like having a say in how the firm is run.  I am a happier professional now that I have that.  I was not going to spend my career as an associate (even though I could have at my firm; they do not require "up and out"), it was either partnership or seeking an in-house position.

How well it works with parenthood depends a lot on your spouse and your financial (and personal) ability to outsource.  I admit I am worried.  All of my partners have wives who SAH when their kids were young, and some even beyond that.  I, OTOH, have a spouse who is an ADA -- which means we have the SL's of a second law degree, a modest 2nd income, and no parent who's working part time or less.  I feel like that is going to result in a crunch.  Calvin knows I am going to need him to be a very active, involved parent.  I am counting on that, as well as flexibility from my firm.  In your case it sounds like partnership is going to result in a significant uptick in your income (I won't see that until I have significant equity) so your situation might be different.  Outsourcing will be your ticket.

As far as how my work life has changed since making partner -- I spend a lot more mental energy on it.  As a senior associate, I was responsible for billing and participating in business development.  Period.  Now those have not gone away (or even reduced) and I'm also very involved in internal matters in the firm.  Recruiting, mentoring, internal processes, managing client relationships, a bunch of other things.  In a small firm you wind up getting pulled in a lot of different directions.  (Right now) I don't mind doing it, because it means I have a say in the future of the firm, but if you are forever looking at your watch feeling completely frustrated that you are at work, not even billing, and missing _____ at home, it may feel less worth it.

I think at the end of the day it's kind of a gut feeling as to whether it's going to be satisfying for you -- which in a decision like this is more important than $$$.

[Deleted]

Congrats! That is an awesome accomplishment  If you stay full time, what time do you usually get home from work? IME it does get busier with kids once they start elementary school. Activities, games, play dates, homework. But you could easily hire someone to oversee that kind of stuff for you and drive them places. I think it just comes down to whether you want to be the one doing it or not and that is different for everyone. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here.