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12 Things I Hate About Small Firm Practice

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by Bitter Contributor on August 9, 2011 in Columns

After almost five years of epic BigLaw drudgery and misery, I finally decided it was time to choose lifestyle over status and pay. In other words, I joined a small firm, a/k/a “a litigation boutique.” Trouble is, I’m realizing that my decision was completely flawed because it was based on the faulty assumption that the [...]

The Dark Art of the Small-Firm Biggie Smalls

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by Mr. 162 on October 20, 2009 in Columns

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In a small law firm, the art is apparent early on. Can you juggle? Can you tap dance? Are you fearless? Can you riff like Biggie Smalls?

Vacations and the Myth of Irreplaceability

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by Mr. 162 on June 18, 2009 in Columns

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Even for a boutique lawyer, there’s no way to ever get 100% away from work. Even if the other lawyers in my firm had the time or inclination to help me out—which they don’t—there’s a lot of “getting up to speed” in a case that is required to make effective arguments. And by “getting up [...]