Good-Bye Big Law, Hello Boutiques. Why These Young Lawyers Are Sold on Smaller Firms

For some attorneys, there is no substitute for practising in a boutique, where they say the quality of the work, training and personal attention to their career development is unparalleled.

Big Law is making strides in trying to improve the experience for young lawyers who are demanding a better work-life balance. Longer parental leave, unlimited time off and enhanced mentorship programs are some of the changes that major law firms have initiated in order to keep talented attorneys from walking out the door once they pay down student loan debt.

But for some lawyers, there is no substitute for practising in a boutique firm, where they say the quality of the work, training and personal attention to their development is unparalleled.

In today’s episode, Law.com business-of law-editor Lizzy McLellan talks with three highly accomplished young lawyers from top schools who opted out of Big Law and into boutiques. We hear from Blair Kaminsky at Holwell Shuster & Goldberg; Quynh Vu at Kaufhold Gaskin in San Francisco; and Aaron Swerdlow at Weinberg Gonser in Los Angeles.

They explain the benefits of practising in a smaller firm and what Big Law can do to retain top performers.

Listen to the podcast here