400-600K Budget - Where to Look? (Memphis, Knoxville: transplants, apartment)

[HastingsJD]

Originally Posted by septimus

Make sure you have jobs before you come. If you want to be in a firm, your book of business needs to be portable. Firms aren't hiring worker bees these days. Only rainmakers. In-house jobs are few and far between. Partnership track in Nashville is still about 7-8 years unlike major markets where it has slowly moved to 10-12 years.

DEFINITELY not coming without jobs lined up! We'll only be at the senior associate level though so bringing a big book of business won't really be a practical goal. We won't be moving for two more years, but we're already starting the networking process so we can have a better chance of finding something when we're ready to move. Hitting up the contacts we do have in the Nashville legal market at this point and hoping that hiring in the legal field starts to rebound over the next few years.

Things are already looking better here in LA - my hubby and I have both been contacted by recruiters asking if we're interested in positions at other firms. Our current firms are also starting to hire once again so we're hopeful the legal landscape is improving!

10-12 years for partnership? Good gosh where is that? New York? Partnership at my current firm is only about 7-8 years - although I don't plan to stick around long enough to get there :-) Most of my law school friends say their firms are about 8 years or so as well. Most like me, don't want to get to that point, they just want to escape after paying off some debt!

[septimus]

Originally Posted by HastingsJD

DEFINITELY not coming without jobs lined up! We'll only be at the senior associate level though so bringing a big book of business won't really be a practical goal. We won't be moving for two more years, but we're already starting the networking process so we can have a better chance of finding something when we're ready to move. Hitting up the contacts we do have in the Nashville legal market at this point and hoping that hiring in the legal field starts to rebound over the next few years.

Things are already looking better here in LA - my hubby and I have both been contacted by recruiters asking if we're interested in positions at other firms. Our current firms are also starting to hire once again so we're hopeful the legal landscape is improving!

10-12 years for partnership? Good gosh where is that? New York? Partnership at my current firm is only about 7-8 years - although I don't plan to stick around long enough to get there :-) Most of my law school friends say their firms are about 8 years or so as well. Most like me, don't want to get to that point, they just want to escape after paying off some debt!

Yes, a lot of the east coast firms have slowly moved to 10+ years.

Nashville firms have started hiring again, but some are still laying off. Baker Donelson laid off 5 attorneys last month.

If you want out of the law, one thing to consider is Belmont is starting a law school. (I don't agree that we need another law school, but....) It could be a source of jobs for lawyers that want out...either teaching legal writing, etc or administrative positions like career services and admissions.

[HastingsJD]

That's interesting - I didn't know Belmont was starting a law school. Are they going to seek ABA accrediation or is the goal to be more like Nashville School of Law? When do they plan to open?

Not really set on leaving the practice of law, but it'd be nice to get rid of billable hours! My husband is a litigator so I think he'd like to stick to that but he's he open to anything really. He does civil litigation. I'm more of a transactional attorney although I'm forced to do litigation now and then too. When we move I'm hoping to find something a little more "low key" if that makes sense. I want to continue practicing but wouldn't mind going part-time at a small firm or something along those lines. Keep active in the legal field but have more time to spend with my children when they're little. Not sure if that's an option in Nashville though (it is here in California.) I'll definitely keep Belmont in mind in terms of job opportunities as well - thanks for the tip.

[BirdieBelle]

A friend of mine started this business that is almost like freelance work for attorneys. It might be a way you can keep some billable hours and still be a mom.

Counsel On Call | Talented attorneys. A wide range of practice areas. Quantifiable cost savings.

FYI

[HastingsJD]

Thanks Wmsn4Life - that's awesome. Will definitely keep it in mind!

[HastingsJD]

So this is going to make me sound completely clueless, but I just checked out the McKay's Mill website and realized that it isn't just a subdivision but an entire master-planned community. Is that what the bulk of the types of communities that are outside of Nashville? Nothing wrong with that - I guess I was just picturing subdivisions where they have a gated entrance and give it some fancy sounding names but that's it. McKay's mill practically looks like it's own city!

[septimus]

Originally Posted by HastingsJD

So this is going to make me sound completely clueless, but I just checked out the McKay's Mill website and realized that it isn't just a subdivision but an entire master-planned community. Is that what the bulk of the types of communities that are outside of Nashville? Nothing wrong with that - I guess I was just picturing subdivisions where they have a gated entrance and give it some fancy sounding names but that's it. McKay's mill practically looks like it's own city!

There are 3 large planned communities in Franklin (Fieldstone Farms, McKay's Mill and Westhaven Westhaven | Franklin | Brentwood | Nashville | New Homes) There are lots of more "traditional subdivions" with bunch of houses and a stone gate welcoming you at the front entrance.

Carronbridge is one that is more like what you are thinking of.

[YallWantHam]

Honestly, you don't really need gated communities in Franklin and especially Brentwood. It isn't like it transitions from good neighborhood to bad neighborhood

[BirdieBelle]

And McKay's Mill isn't gated. It's not exactly FANCY, just a very nice neighborhood that has different named sections according to the type of house in each.

Sure, the gates here are mostly for prestige. Just like granite countertops.

[bnsilly]

I just looked, and I found a home in the subdivisions you've suggested. Now I just have to get the hubby to agree to move, and find a little extra cash..