Benefits and Challenges Of Working For a Small Law Firm
Tags: Law, Lawyers, Law Firm, Work, Attorney

Have you ever wondered what it is like to work for a small law firm? What are the benefits? What are the challenges?

Sometimes when you choose something, it is helpful to weigh the pros and cons. In this article, we have determined some benefits and challenges of working for a small law firm.

Benefits of working for a small law firm

1. Responsibility → diverse experience → contact with clients

In a small law firm, you will be accountable for the results, and you will be supervised less than if you worked for a large law firm. You will get more experience faster because you will have to perform different types of work, often of a general character, unless you work for a boutique-firm. If you like the idea of working in a courtroom, be sure that you will get a litigation experience at some point at the beginning of your career.

You have to be able to learn fast and to deal with clients who are not only ‘assigned’ to senior lawyers as it happens in mega-firms. In a small law firm, you, as an associate, will have an opportunity to help a client. You will practice law from day 1, so if you can’t wait to play a significant role and if you can’t wait to make a difference, a small law firm might be right for you.

If you like multiple areas of law and if you feel bored at the thought of having a specialization, you will be relieved to know that in a small law firm you have to expose yourself to different areas of law. You may have to work with real estate law, employment law, criminal law, civil rights law, etc.

If you are not sure what specialization to choose, working at a small law firm may help you to make this decision.

2. Flexible hours and cozy atmosphere

To no one’s surprise when you work for a large firm, you have no time on anything except for work. Working at a small law firm, you will have time for personal life and you can allow yourself to be human. If one of your goals is to have a balanced life, you will have one.

The atmosphere in a small law firm is welcoming and accommodating. The dress code is not as strict as it is in a mega-firm, and employees are more likely to get to know you. If you feel more comfortable working with people you know, this is a huge advantage.

What can be guaranteed in a small law firm is less stress. You still will have to work a lot, and the responsibility will be greater but you will not be worrying about meeting billable-hour requirements.

3. No strict hierarchy system

In a small law firm, you don’t have to follow the steps until you finally can be valued, and recognized for the work that you do. You are more in control of your position at a small law firm. Things mostly depend on you rather than on the system. If you want to get promoted sooner, you need to work harder, and then you will be who you want to be. If you strive by taking important decisions, you don’t have to wait until you become a senior associate. Working for a small law firm, you will get freedom and empowerment — two things that can make an individual happier and more growth-oriented.

4. Your feedback is welcome and counts

Your feedback matters even if you don’t have 10 years of experience. Your senior colleagues will want to hear what you want to say. First, this will make you feel like you belong somewhere because it is nice to feel supported, and, second, you will be able to make a difference right now.

As Hillel the Elder said: — If not now, when? If not you, who?

5. Small law firms are becoming more and more attractive for clients

Why are small law firms becoming more popular?

Reasonable cost Smaller firms charge less money than large firms do for the same service. Service is good Small law firms meet their clients’ expectations very well. Fewer people work on the case, and therefore there is less misunderstanding and, consequently, more efficiency (fewer things need to be fixed). The service is client-centric what clients value as it feels more personalized. Graceful strategy shifts If to win the case, it is necessary to slightly change the strategy, small law firms can make changes with more success.

It is good to know that small law firms do have clients, and they meet clients’ needs and expectations.

Challenges of working for a small law firm

1. Lower salaries

First year associate In a small law firm -$62,250 — $90,500 In a large law firm -$137,500 — $168, 500 In a boutique firm -$95,555 per year

Senior attorney (10+ years of experience) In a small law firm — $128,000 — $181,000 In a large law firm — $226,250 — $311,500

2. Getting quality clients

Some clients of small law firms pay slow, or they don’t pay at all. No firm benefits from this kind of client. Of course, this is not the case for all the small law firms but for some it is.

There are ways to get clients to pay: 1. A firm can send a letter to the client to request payment of the invoice 2. You can call the client 3. Persistence is the key. Send reminders to the client, make a second call, etc. If none of the above work, a firm can sue the client, or take them to arbitration.

3. Not enough of support

In a large firm, lawyers have countless help whereas in a small law firm you might have few or no assistants. You will have to do all the work yourself.

Fewer resources will be available to you, nor you will have support from mentors. Owing to a lack of support, you will have to learn how to manage your time effectively. If you have good time management skills, tackling this issue is going to be easy.

4. Fewer people to build relationships with

This is true, fewer people working at a small firm, and, possibly, you will be able to remember everyone’s names. There is nothing bad about this. Maybe you will make great contacts for future collaborations, partnerships, or you will get to know someone more influential for your career through your colleagues, or employees who work in your company.

Nevertheless, the more people work in a company, the more you can practice networking. And, at a small law firm, you will have less opportunity to subject yourself to mingling.

5. Less fancy amenities in the office

Offices at small law firms are more simple but simple does not mean boring. They can have style, space, floor to ceiling windows, and good lighting. If well designed, the office can be a marvelous place to stay in.

It is unlikely that you will have a gym in your building, but isn’t it better to do jogging in the parque or on the beach? Isn’t it better to ride the bicycle in the fresh air after a long day at work?

Concluding words

It is completely up to you to decide what is better for you and what is worse. If you have a different opinion about small law firms, then believe what you believe. You can also try working for a small law firm and then make conclusions. Otherwise, we hope that you found this information useful! All the best!