Should I take the offer?

[Addendum]

I could never be a good dad because I'd answer every question sarcastically to make the kid cry

 

[Super_Ludacris]

I dunno. I work for a big company. It's not all it's cracked up to be. If I had a daughter (and someday, I might), I'd probably be looking to find the right balance between being able to live comfortably and ensure her future and education (as well as my retirement) and being able to spend as much time as I can with her. Once she grows up, you can never go back and make up for lost time.

jag

The way I look at it is, hes gotten through the worst. Raising a daughter on your own and running a business on your own is a difficult as it gets, now he's moving on up. I would imagine he has strong extended family (everyone's got to have a single parent) that helps a lot and makes it easier and hey if your getting a partnership suddenly your not starting at the bottom of this big company.

BTW Danger Mouse if your reading I suggest you pick up the book "Who Moved my Cheese" by Spencer Johnson MD. Its gotta a interesting perspective on inertia and uncertainty to accpeting change and although it could be argued its narrow it definetly puts things in perspective and helps you focus on things that affect both life and work in terms of change.

 

[jaguarr]

The way I look at it is, hes gotten through the worst. Raising a daughter on your own and running a business on your own is a difficult as it gets, now he's moving on up. I would imagine he has strong extended family (everyone's got to have a single parent) that helps a lot and makes it easier and hey if your getting a partnership suddenly your not starting at the bottom of this big company.

BTW Danger Mouse if your reading I suggest you pick up the book "Who Moved my Cheese" by Spencer Johnson MD. Its gotta a interesting perspective on inertia and uncertainty to accpeting change and although it could be argued its narrow it definetly puts things in perspective and helps you focus on things that affect both and work in terms of change.

"Who Moved My Cheese" is an excellent read. At any rate, I'm sure DM will figure out what's right for him and his family. It's pretty clear that it's important to him to spend time with his daughter, rather than just shuffling her around between extended family. Aren't differing value sets fun?

jag

 

[Danger Mouse]

First of all, I'd like to extend my most heartfelt gratitude for your input. They kinda reaffirm my belief that SHH Community is a lot more than hotties threads, 'I hate Bush' threads, 'James Bond is not a superhero' threads and 'Who/What is your favorite actor/food/movie/Presidential Candidate' threads.

Secondly, rest assured that while I seek life-changing advice from an internet message board dedicated to superheroes, movies and comics, I am fully aware that the final decision rests with me. So, even if the poll favours one decision, I am not dictated by it. The purpose of this thread is to get valuable input from you guys because there may be certain points that simply never crossed my mind. I'm not asking you to choose for me, just help me illuminate viewpoints which may have eluded me.

Now on to the meat of the matter.

I'm gonna start by saying that while I appreciate the suggestions that I should discuss this with my 5-year-old daughter, I think I need to highlight a pertinent point: she's 5 years old. Beyond the obviously biased 'Dad, I want you to spend time with me 24/7', I doubt that she can offer anything constructive. I don't think she'd be able to hold a wholesome discussion with me when the anticipation of 'Bear In The Big Blue House' being on the air in 5 minutes is overwhelming.

Moving on, Super_Ludacris raised a very good point, one which I've argued with one of you on AIM. They're offering me a partnership, heading a department. So, I'll still get to be my own boss, albeit in a larger setting of other 'own bosses'. It's not like I'm being offered the job of a Project Manager of the Trump Organisation of which, while the pay is astronomical, I'll still be an employee. In my instance, I am not being offered an employment with a fat paycheck here. I am being offered a partnership. My hours will still be my own. Although I admit to the possibility of spending less time with my daughter, but that would be due to the demands of work, not due to the demands of the senior partners. That being said, even at my current practice, I'd still have to work late if the work demands. If I have TONS of work, I'll have to go into overtime regardless of whether it's my own firm or in a partnership of another firm. Invariably, this new firm being a major player, there will be a lot of work. But by virtue of being a partner, I have the liberty to walk in and out of the office as I please, provided that I get the job done. Furthermore, I shall be heading a department, which means that I will be having my personal army at my behest. However, as to SL's point on having to share the liabilities in a partnership, I find that a very small plus-point. It's between having to bear a smaller liability all by myself or sharing a large liability with a few others. Mathematically, makes no difference.

I've been in the employment of a big firm before and I don't think I wanna go back there regardless of the pay. For the record, I've been a lawyer since 1998. 2002 was the year I started my own practice.

But it's never that easy, is it? Being a newly appointed partner in a law firm, I need to prove my worth. To prove my worth, I need to bring results. To bring results, I need to put in the hours - either by getting my hands dirty with work or by being out there golfing and dining with clients to attract more work. But definitely not by goofing off to the ice-skating rink with my daughter for an ice-cream cone.

Furthermore, if I decline, I'll get to build my own little empire. My daughter might be able to take over. However, this whole business of having to keep my own firm with my own name as a legacy - doesn't that sound a little bit egotistical to you? Putting aside the time-with-daughter argument, does this legacy thing really outweigh financial security?

Financial security. It's not like I don't have it now, anyway. But being a partner in a major firm guarantees better security. After all, they've been around for decades. I may be financially secure now, but what about in 5 years? I live in a modest condo and I drive in a nice car. Not too bad. But it would be nicer to be living in a grand house and driving a better car, wouldn't it?

Going back to time-with-daughter argument. Admittedly, I will have to make sacrifices there. Today I can go home early, goof off with the kid, have dinner then put her to bed. Ever so often, we'd spend the weekend taking a short vacation somewhere nearby. If I take the offer, I may not be able to go home as early, but I'll definitely be home before her bedtime (a personal promise of mine, even in my current practice). We may have to take lesser weekend vacations. But once I've earned it, I might be able to take 2 weeks off and take her to Disney World. So, as Eli has pointed out, I won't be sacrificing quality time (heck, I might even be able to enhance it), but I'll be sacrificing quantity.

 

[Danger Mouse]

Oh, and on another note, theirs is a one-time offer only. If I say no, they'll give the job to another candidate.

And if I say yes, I won't go back to having my own firm. I started this firm from scratch with blood, sweat and tears. I had to beg to be on the panel of the corporations that I am currently in. If I close my firm, I'm gonna lose ALL of the panelship. If one day I decide to reopen my firm, I'm gonna have to start all over again and reapply for panelship and such.

 

[Superman79]

Oh, and on another note, theirs is a one-time offer only. If I say no, they'll give the job to another candidate.

And if I say yes, I won't go back to having my own firm. I started this firm from scratch with blood, sweat and tears. I had to beg to be on the panel of the corporations that I am currently in. If I close my firm, I'm gonna lose ALL of the panelship. If one day I decide to reopen my firm, I'm gonna have to start all over again and reapply for panelship and such.

Sounds like you might have already made your decision DM...whatever it may be, best of luck to you

 

[jaguarr]

You've got a good handle on things, DM. I'm sure you'll make the decision that's right for you and yours.

jag

 

[Darthphere]

Whatever you decide just know you made a good decision....and shoot the hostage. Im sorry, I had to break the tension.

 

[Abaddon]

Just as long as youre not going to work for a law firm devoted to spreading evil and chaos,then you'll be fine.

 

[Darthphere]

Just as long as youre not going to work for a lawyer devoted to spreading evil and chaos,then you'll be fine.

Wolfram and Hart?

 

[Abaddon]

Wolfram and Hart?

*taps nose*

 

[Danger Mouse]

Just as long as youre not going to work for a law firm devoted to spreading evil and chaos,then you'll be fine.

I thought ALL law firms are devoted to spreading evil and chaos...

At least that's what they taught us at law school. The professor with the pointy horns said so.

 

[Superman79]

I thought ALL law firms are devoted to spreading evil and chaos...

At least that's what they taught us at law school. The professor with the pointy horns said so.

I'll second that...your Ethics class was taught by Prof. Beelzebub too huh?

 

[Abaddon]

Don't be lured by these guys:

 

[The Riddler]

imo, take the job.

money can really come in handy in creating financial stability for use during rough times.

 

[Danger Mouse]

One minus point: if I take the offer, I'm gonna have to say goodbye to SHH. Won't have the luxury of time.

Not that any of you will miss me, anyway!

 

[Abaddon]

One minus point: if I take the offer, I'm gonna have to say goodbye to SHH. Won't have the luxury of time.

Not that any of you will miss me, anyway!

Youve tried to leave before,and look what happened.Youll always be SHH's *****,just like the rest of us.

 

[Danger Mouse]

Youve tried to leave before,and look what happened.Youll always be SHH's *****,just like the rest of us.

Yeah, but I'll be truckloads of money's ***** first and foremost. And I can't get that if I goof off online.

So, money or SHH? Is it really a tough choice?

 

[tzarinna]

One minus point: if I take the offer, I'm gonna have to say goodbye to SHH. Won't have the luxury of time.

Not that any of you will miss me, anyway!

Yeah, um we can't have that..

 

[Leto Atrides]

Looks like you have the situation pretty well in hand DM.

Other than the firm not being your own, and alot of extra work at the outset, it seems the partnership is a good call.

And for a blood-sucking lawyer, you seem like a good guy .

Edit: Oh, you'll be back.

 

[Abaddon]

It seems like you want to convince yourself to take the job,so just do it and live with your decision.Either way youll have to make some sacrifices,just be sure those are sacrifices you are willing to live with for the rest of your existence.

 

[InsaneMembrane]

I know I voted no but after seeing your further explanation, I would like to reverse my vote. The reason is that my father is pretty much career minded so much so he has neglected spending time with me, he hasnt be physically around to share my birthday with me since I was seven and that was the day my parents told me they were getting a divorce, he put his career over me and lived in different parts of the world, he would take any job that paid him well enough for his degree (Phd in Animal biology) He has to support his whole family at home so I do understand his want for finances but there were times where I had forgotten what he looks like and my brother is basically out of control because he doesnt really have a father figure. What I'm trying to say is that my dad has tried to make up for his absences by buying me whatever I want this laptop attests to that, but I would much prefer to have had the memories so as the weekend trips you seem to have with your daughter, so if you can get a nice financially secure job but not take away too much time for daugther as that seems to be what you are saying, you should do it, but only if you feel that it doesnt hinder your relationship too much. I dont think this has been much help but just wanted to say it anyway.

Good luck

 

[C. Lee]

Yeah, but I'll be truckloads of money's ***** first and foremost. And I can't get that if I goof off online.

So, money or SHH? Is it really a tough choice?

Sounds like you want it.....

 

[Danger Mouse]

If I want to take the offer, you guys are making a pretty good job at instilling guilt at the prospect of my being an uncaring father who's never at the dinner table.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

or once you become a partner you can open up a daycare in your lawfirm. then youll be able too see your daughter during your lunch breaks and what not. you can leave your practice and once you gain recognition through your partnership you can leave and start your own, you'll probbaly end up getting bigger business then you are now. man you guys make it sound like his daughter is gonna be a hooker, if he really love dhis daughter he can find a away to work thru his schedule.