The Pros and Cons of Working for a Boutique Firm

As an attorney looking to make the jump to a new position, there are a number of different options to consider, from global/national law firms with branch offices in California, to mid-sized regional firms, to boutique firms with a special focus on a particular practice area or industry, to in-house departments.  Your choice will have a significant influence on how your career plays out.  For example, at a mid-sized firm, not only is compensation likely to be lower than if you had worked in a comparable position at a large national law firm, but your potential exit options may be more limited.

Boutique firms are — generally speaking — comprised of specialized attorneys who have focused on a particular area of law or industry.  Many of these attorneys have proved themselves at Biglaw firms before transitioning over to boutique practice, cutting their teeth on globally-recognized, prestigious clients and highly complex casework.

There are a number of reasons why a boutique firm might be just the right fit for your career, but it’s important to consider the potential negatives, as well.  Let’s take a brief look at some of the advantages and disadvantages to working at a boutique firm.

 

Advantages

More Complex, Specialized Work

At a boutique firm, attorneys are much more likely to be given complex, specialized work when compared to other small firms.  Boutique firms prides themselves on “punching above their weight” with prestigious clients and high-end cases, thus providing attorneys the opportunity to deep-dive into specialized work.

Opportunity for Greater Responsibility

As with other small firms, boutique firms generally do not have an excess of labor, and as such, ambitious attorneys interested in shouldering additional responsibility will likely have an opportunity to do so.  Though boutique firms are often perceived as a landing spot for those who are not interested in continuing to chase the challenging “Biglaw” lifestyle, attorneys who take on additional responsibility at their boutique firm have an opportunity to accelerate their careers.

Increased Likelihood of Client Exposure

Large clients choose boutique firms for a number of reasons, from specialization, to better engagement.  As a younger attorney, you may be given an opportunity to closely engage with the client at an earlier stage in your career than you would have otherwise been given such opportunities.  Depending on the ideal trajectory of your career, it is worth considering this factor when choosing between firms.

Less Formal Hierarchy

Many boutique firms have a more casual atmosphere around the office, and this applies to the structure and hierarchy of decision-making in the firm, too.  Boutique firms have a tendency to be more “results-oriented” than Biglaw firms with a long history and a reputation to uphold.  If you’re not particularly interested in the professional ritual of Biglaw and everything that entails, a casual boutique firm may be a more comfortable atmosphere for you.

 

Disadvantages

Assignments and Projects May Be Uncertain

With fewer clients, and a need to provide clients with best-in-class service, boutique firm life is often associated with unpredictable timelines and project management issues.  Not all boutiques are unpredictable in this manner, but it is a frequent enough issue that it is worth considering whether you’re willing to be more flexible on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis — if not, a boutique firm may not be the right fit.

Lower Compensation

Though not always the case, working at a boutique firm is likely to result in lower compensation than if you had worked in a comparable position in Biglaw — how much a boutique is willing to pay you depends on where you are transitioning from, in many cases, and whether you have attained a level of success in your professional life such that your value to the boutique firm is clearly demonstrable.  In some cases, where you have a specialized skillset they are looking for, or a wealth of experience working with certain clients, a boutique will be willing to pay more.

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Are you an attorney interested in making a career move to a new firm — and perhaps a boutique firm?  Boutique firms have a lot to offer ambitious attorneys, particularly those who have attained a certain level of professional accomplishment and competency.  For recruitment guidance from beginning-to-end of the hiring process, speak with one of the experienced legal recruiters here at Garb Jaffe & Associates.  Call (310) 207-0727 for a consultation with one of our San Francisco legal recruiters today.

We look forward to speaking with you.