When it comes to building a litigation career, Biglaw has long been sold as the default path, the place where ambitious associates go to cut their teeth before maybe, someday, seeing the inside of a courtroom. But take a closer look, and you’ll see boutique litigation firms steadily making their case, offering not just comparable work, but the kind of hands-on experience Biglaw often keeps just out of reach, from faster-moving matters to meaningful courtroom exposure and genuinely collaborative teams. So why are more litigators rethinking the traditional Biglaw path in favor of boutiques? Who better to ask than a new partner who left Biglaw to join an elite boutique firm that’s built its reputation on actually trying cases and putting associates in the mix early?
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Alexandra Sadinsky, who left Wachtell about two years ago and headed to litigation boutique Elsberg Baker & Maruri, where she’s now a partner, to get her thoughts on the difference between Biglaw and boutique firms, and why others might be inspired to make the same career move. Here is a write-up of our lively conversation.
Staci Zaretsky (SZ): You made the jump from Wachtell Lipton to a partnership-track role at a litigation boutique. What ultimately convinced you to leave Biglaw, and what did you see at Elsberg Baker & Maruri that felt like the right long-term fit?
Alexandra Sadinsky (AS): Leaving Wachtell wasn’t an easy decision — it’s one of the great law firms in the world, and I learned an enormous amount there. But it wasn’t about leaving something behind; it was about being intentional about what came next. My mentors there encouraged me to think carefully about where I would not just do excellent work, but grow into the kind of lawyer I wanted to become.
What drew me to EBM was the clarity of its mission and how well it aligned with my own ambitions. The work is as sophisticated and high-stakes as anywhere, but the focus is on developing true trial lawyers — giving people real responsibility, real feedback, and a real path to partnership. It felt less like a lateral move and more like finding my professional home.
SZ: Elsberg Baker & Maruri operates as a tight-knit, one-office firm. How does that model change the day-to-day experience of practicing law, and what advantages does it offer compared to the more traditional Biglaw structure?
AS: The one-office model mattered to me — it’s how I learned to practice law. Clerking for Judge Cecchi and Judge Chin, I sat with my judges and co-clerks every day, working through problems in real time. At Wachtell, I was three doors down from the head of the litigation department, and a quick walk down the hall meant you could test an idea or refine an argument on the spot.
EBM works the same way — but with even leaner teams. You’re constantly in conversation — with partners, with your team — sharpening arguments and pressure-testing strategy as it develops. There’s no distance between the people doing the work and the people shaping it. That makes the work more collaborative, more intense, and ultimately more effective. You’re not just executing on a plan — you’re helping build it in real time.
SZ: The firm’s leadership includes founding partner Silpa Maruri. How meaningful is it, in your view, to see women in top leadership roles, and what kind of signal does that send to younger lawyers coming up in the profession?
AS: What makes it powerful is seeing what that leadership looks like in practice. Silpa is one of the most instinctive and effective lawyers I’ve worked with — quick on her feet, strategically sharp, with a remarkable ability to cut through complexity and get to the heart of an argument. When I’m working through a difficult issue, she’s often the first person I turn to — she can read something quickly and immediately see how to make it stronger.
Seeing that kind of leadership up close changes how you think about your own path. It makes leadership feel tangible, not theoretical. For younger lawyers — especially women — it signals that there isn’t a single mold for what a successful litigator looks like. Excellence, judgment, and authenticity matter. And Silpa has become a trusted colleague and friend. That’s what makes people stay, grow, and lead in turn.
SZ: As someone stepping into a new partnership role yourself, how do you think about mentorship, and what’s one piece of advice you consistently give to junior lawyers trying to build a successful litigation career?
AS: Mentorship is about preparing people to excel when the opportunity comes — not just giving them the opportunity itself. That means helping them take real ownership of their work: every word, every argument, every strategic decision. It means helping them find their own voice as advocates. You can’t just imitate someone else’s style — it won’t hold when you’re tested. You have to understand what you’re saying, why it matters, and be able to defend it from every angle.
I worked with a junior associate who was ready to take ownership of a third-party discovery effort. First, I had him prepare talking points and observe me run a meet-and-confer. The next time, he led while I observed. By the third, he was running it himself — keeping me updated, but fully in command. That progression — pairing responsibility with preparation and feedback — is how you develop great litigators.
The advice I come back to most is simple: care deeply about getting it right. Push yourself to understand every nuance, anticipate every question, and you’ll be ready when it matters.
On behalf of everyone here at Above the Law, we’d like to thank Alexandra Sadinsky for taking the time to help answer these questions on what it was like to leave Biglaw for a boutique firm and how she’s stepping into her role as a new partner.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post How To Move From An Elite Biglaw Firm To An Elite Boutique appeared first on Above the Law.
