Exploring a Move to Big Law for Higher Income Amid Family Planning: A Personal Dilemma
As a healthcare M&A attorney at a midsize firm, I recently spoke with a big-law colleague who suggested I have a strong chance to lateral to his firm, which is widely regarded as top tier in our field. He also indicated that many other large firms are seeking attorneys with my specialization. I told him I’m not actively looking to move now, but I’m open to it in the future.
A bit of context: my wife and I have just begun IVF treatment, and the clinic hopes to have her pregnant soon—the egg retrieval and fertilization are scheduled for this weekend. If all goes well, we’re expecting a winter arrival.
I’ve always dreamed of working in big law, but my family, including my wife, is concerned about the likely increase in workload and how it could affect our work-life balance and time with a newborn. My brother, who earns about $45k a year while supporting his wife and infant, emphasizes that time with family can be more valuable than money. For me, it’s not only about money; the role would align with a long-held professional ambition.
Has anyone else faced this kind of crossroads on the path to fatFIRE? What would you do in this situation?
Update: I’m not planning to move right away. My current plan is to stay put for another year at my firm and take paternity leave when the time comes. That would give us space to reassess and align on a potential lateral move in the future.
