Pretty new to cougarboard, but a long time lurker. I've noticed there are quite a few lawyers on the board, and I was wondering what you would do in my situation. I'm a rising 3L right now with a summer position at one of the bigger law firms in SLC, and I am doing a federal clerkship after I graduate. I won't be graduating with very much debt. I want to end up working for the federal government in some capacity, or at a general counsel's office. Money is a factor for me, but it's not dispositive; I'm more concerned about having a life outside of work eventually, but obviously the extra cash is great. If I do biglaw, it would only be a stepping stone. I would be making about 100k at the SLC office, and would start at about 175k at the biglaw office with a clerkship bonus of around 50k. Edit: I'm married, and we're planning on having kids in the next year or two.