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Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:36 pm
by Anonymous User
Hey all,
I'm moving from the East coast to fairly high cost of living area out West for my 2L summer position. The firm hasn't mentioned anything about relocation expenses though, and I'm not expecting to have much money by the end of the semester. Is it standard to get a salary advance, or is that just something some firms offer and others don't?
If not, how do people pay for an apartment etc. up front? More loans?
Thanks
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:13 pm
by Anonymous User
One of my friends is going to work at a firm that didn't explicitly offer a salary advance, but when she asked, they gave her a few thousand dollars.
I'd just politely ask the recruiting coordinator.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:32 pm
by Pneumonia
Never heard of anyone getting relocation expenses for a summer gig, but I agree that it isn't unheard of to ask for an advance (if you make clear the purpose is for moving).
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:47 pm
by UVA2B
Pneumonia wrote:Never heard of anyone getting relocation expenses for a summer gig, but I agree that it isn't unheard of to ask for an advance (if you make clear the purpose is for moving).
To be clear, is this for an SA, or are you looking for relocation for after graduation? The former is pretty laughable, but the latter is completely understandable.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:53 pm
by Anonymous User
Incoming SA in a big law firm in NYC. FWIW, firm offered to pay for travel expenses.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:02 am
by UVA2B
Anonymous User wrote:Incoming SA in a big law firm in NYC. FWIW, firm offered to pay for travel expenses.
Reimbursed as a loan, or as a free stipend? And did it include moving expenses, or just traveling to NYC? These are wildly different.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:12 am
by Anonymous User
Another incoming 2L SA here going to a V20, non-NY market. Firm provided a small free stipend to cover travel expenses.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:29 am
by raptors_delight
It's biglaw standard to cover travel expenses (i.e., plane ticket plus fees for a few checked bags or the cost to ship a few boxes of belongings, car rental fee plus gas, etc.). Firm is not gonna pay full-on relocation expenses for an SA, and you will be laughed all the way to the unemployment line if you ask them to do so.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:37 am
by cron1834
Firm paid for flight plus checked bag when I came for my SA. Wouldn't have thought to ask for more and would advise against it... but asking about plane ticket is fine. Lots of places will do that.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:50 am
by Anonymous User
UVA2B wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Incoming SA in a big law firm in NYC. FWIW, firm offered to pay for travel expenses.
Reimbursed as a loan, or as a free stipend? And did it include moving expenses, or just traveling to NYC? These are wildly different.
Stipend for flight for SO and I, checked bags, and probably Uber if I wanted to push it.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 1:09 am
by lawlorbust
UVA2B wrote:Pneumonia wrote:Never heard of anyone getting relocation expenses for a summer gig, but I agree that it isn't unheard of to ask for an advance (if you make clear the purpose is for moving).
To be clear, is this for an SA, or are you looking for relocation for after graduation? The former is pretty laughable, but the latter is completely understandable.
Isn't OP mainly asking whether firms do salary advances for relocation reasons? Seems reasonable; why is everyone so hot and bothered?
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 1:12 am
by candidlatke
Just to be clear, everyone here who is posting that the firm is willing to pay for the flight/some relocation costs is referring to a summer associateship?
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 1:58 am
by malleus discentium
raptors_delight wrote:It's biglaw standard to cover travel expenses (i.e., plane ticket plus fees for a few checked bags or the cost to ship a few boxes of belongings, car rental fee plus gas, etc.). Firm is not gonna pay full-on relocation expenses for an SA, and you will be laughed all the way to the unemployment line if you ask them to do so.
This is definitely true for big NYC firms. It might not be the case for other markets or smaller firms, but it is standard enough to ask about it. Flights for an SO are not standard, though.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 2:01 am
by thisiswater
The Texas firm I'm going to for my summer has offered flight/bag checks/cab into town or gas and mileage for the drive. I assumed that was standard
OP I would ask but if you feel uncomfortable can you get a credit card to put the ticket on.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:06 am
by RaceJudicata
I think OP is more concerned about upfront costs - I.e. First month rent. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up some cash now and live off a cc for a bit (a lot of times first month rent and such can't be paid on cc). Pay your expenses w/cash or check, and Just pay off the credit card w/ first paycheck.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:36 am
by cron1834
candidlatke wrote:Just to be clear, everyone here who is posting that the firm is willing to pay for the flight/some relocation costs is referring to a summer associateship?
Yes. Flight, bag, and cab ride were specified. Haven't started full time yet, so I'm not confusing the two.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:36 am
by Anonymous User
RaceJudicata wrote:I think OP is more concerned about upfront costs - I.e. First month rent. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up some cash now and live off a cc for a bit (a lot of times first month rent and such can't be paid on cc). Pay your expenses w/cash or check, and Just pay off the credit card w/ first paycheck.
RaceJudicata wrote:I think OP is more concerned about upfront costs - I.e. First month rent. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up some cash now and live off a cc for a bit (a lot of times first month rent and such can't be paid on cc). Pay your expenses w/cash or check, and Just pay off the credit card w/ first paycheck.
If that's the case, my summer firm also offered an advance to cover fees, deposits and upfront rent. I think firms get that renting in NYC is hard to do on a student budget. I had to pay everything upfront for my summer sublet (like $6500--which I ended up effectively funding with student loans), and my spouse and I paid probably $15,000+ OOP between broker's fee, first, last and security (much of which was funded with salary advance and some of which was refunded by the firm) when we moved here permanently. Point being, moving to NYC can be prohibitively expensive, especially for a student, and I don't think it's unreasonable to tell recruiting that you're having a hard time finding housing given the enormous upfront costs and need an advance to manage it. If you ask them to reimburse a broker's fee or pay to move all your shit cross-country, you're gonna have a bad time, though.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:23 am
by Anonymous User
My firm also paid for my flight, bags, and Uber when I moved west for the summer.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:27 am
by leslieknope
My firm on the West Coast paid for my flights and offered a salary advance. I'd ask.
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:23 pm
by Anonymous User
Going to a delaware firm. Think they will pay for flight? Should I reach out now or just ask once SA begins? (under 200 attys total, so not a mega firm like others)
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:25 pm
by Anonymous User
woops, above poster. accidental double post
Re: Moving for 2L SA position, relocation expenses?
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Going to a delaware firm. Think they will pay for flight? Should I reach out now or just ask once SA begins? (under 200 attys total, so not a mega firm like others)
I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask whether ANY employer (unless you have a particular reason to think it's not reasonable) will cover the cost of a flight to relocate. Totally within reason to send an email asking whether that's something they're able to do and asking for the protocol (e.g., you get reimbursed versus they pay up front) if so.