Naive thinking I wouldnt absolutely hate Biglaw?
Currently in between 1L and 2L, so biglaw recruit is coming up and I'm thinking of applying. I had very good grades in 1L so I don't think getting in would be a concern.
My main hesitation is that I have historically had zero business acumen or interest in anything relating to corporations and transactions on a micro-level. My background is in philosophy, psych, politics, and history. I have spent as long as I can remember decrying people who study business or work in the corporate world as vapid, money grubbing sycophants.
My reason for considering big law is because it seems to be the antipode of criminal law, which I am working in this summer. I loved 1L criminal law, but seeing how the practice is on a day-to-day has spawned significant concerns re my compatibility with it. Seems to be a significant portion of crim law is client-management and bail, interesting legal issues seem so infrequent, and the pay seems shite unless you are someone with the entrepreneurial skills and gregariousness necessary to establish your own practice and attract large retainer clients.
I feel the choice I make this summer is quite consequential, regarding recruit and course selection. Would really appreciate anyone's advice, especially those who ended up in corporate law environments who did not come in with a disposition towards business. I'm also in Canada, so that changes the salary calculus somewhat.
Posted Jul 7, 2026, 10:11 PM UTC