So is being a partner in a firm similar to being 'made' in the Mafia?

[Charlemagne]

Ok, when you get made in the mob it means you no longer do the dirty work. You give some orders and take big cuts from the guys in the trenches. So when you become partner in a firm (law/architecture/whatever) is it similar? Do you basically not do any of the day-to-day stuff but just strategic plan and take percentages from what the firm makes? Or are you expected to handle cases/projects too, the only difference is that you get paid more? Thanks, and sorry my only point of reference is la Cosa Nostra.

[limpyhobbler]

1. yes that would be my understanding from watching seasons 1 thru 3 of the sopranos

[pacalo]

2. In terms of John Grisham's "The Firm", joining the firm was like signing your life away to the Mafia

Except that the new recruit was unaware of it when s/he signed on. The catch-22 for the firm was they recruited only the brightest of each graduating class in the country, & those who no longer wanted to be a part of it & rebeled had accidental deaths.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

3. Depends. You are expected to do more rainmaking

(bringing in new business). Mentoring young associates is also expected. Usually partners do handle cases - they are the lead attorney who does the planning for the case.

I worked for a large law firm (100 plus lawyers) for many, many years in an administrative capacity. My info is based on my experience there.

[stevenleser]

4. No.

I have worked for one of the big four accounting firms and also a top law firm in my life. If anything, you work more when you make partner. You are responsible for bringing in new business (actually, you have to demonstrate that ability before they will promote you to partner), you are still responsible for leading matters/engagements just like you were when you were a senior associate or senior manager, and you have to mentor younger staff.

As busy as you were before, generally, your life is really over when you make partner.

There is also a lot of competition between firms in terms of trying to hire each other's partners away so it is definitely not like being in the mafia. There are few examples in the mafia (none that I can think of) for kapos or bosses moving from family to family. Also, it is pretty easy to retire and leave the business. Again, not so in the mafia.