Lateraling firms after first year Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have experience lateraling from one V100 firm to another just after their first year? If so, was it through a recruiter or networking, or both?

Thanks

[Anonymous User]

bump (not OP)

[Anonymous User]

bump (not OP)

[Anonymous User]

Shortly after my first year I successfully lateralled to an existing opening at a V30. Took two interview trips and then waited a month as they cleared conflicts, at that point, I turned in my two-week notice.

[Anonymous User]

I lateraled midway through my second year and got offers both through a recruiter and networking. Happy to answer any questions about the process, etc.

[Anonymous User]

curious about the lateral timeline & about moving states - do you take the bar after you lateral or before?

[Anonymous User]

If your goal is to lateral markets after a year of practice (e.g. September '18, NY to LA), and your firm has an office there, is the credited response to pursue an offer in that city, and then ask your firm if a transfer would be possible with another offer in hand -- or simply ask your firm on the front end?

[Anonymous User]

curious about the lateral timeline & about moving states - do you take the bar after you lateral or before?

I took my new state’s bar after lateraling. Because of the bar exam timing, it was a good six months before I took the bar. My firm paid Barbri and gave me 4 weeks to study from home (my firm workload was minimal....the drawback is making up billables for the bonus...I did but it was exhausting). The firm also pays the fees to keep my original state's license in good standing.

[Anonymous User]

If your goal is to lateral markets after a year of practice (e.g. September '18, NY to LA), and your firm has an office there, is the credited response to pursue an offer in that city, and then ask your firm if a transfer would be possible with another offer in hand -- or simply ask your firm on the front end?

Also interested in this.

[ghostoftraynor]

If your goal is to lateral markets after a year of practice (e.g. September '18, NY to LA), and your firm has an office there, is the credited response to pursue an offer in that city, and then ask your firm if a transfer would be possible with another offer in hand -- or simply ask your firm on the front end?

I guess it depends on how big the other office is, but I think in a vast majority of scenarios it would make sense to ask for the transfer. At least at my firm, we are constantly working with people in other offices, so I don't see how it really affects the firm.

[Anonymous User]

For those who have successfully done this: after 9-10 months had passed, who did you speak to first, a partner or someone in HR/recruiting? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Shortly after my first year I successfully lateralled to an existing opening at a V30. Took two interview trips and then waited a month as they cleared conflicts, at that point, I turned in my two-week notice.

it takes a month to clear conflicts?

[Anonymous User]

Antidotal. For me, yes.

[Anonymous User]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

[SmokeytheBear]

Shortly after my first year I successfully lateralled to an existing opening at a V30. Took two interview trips and then waited a month as they cleared conflicts, at that point, I turned in my two-week notice.

it takes a month to clear conflicts?

Also took me a month. If you lateraled after a few years, you have a ton of names they will need to clear (you have to report every company you’ve repped). And conflicts departments always put checking conflicts for lateral attorneys after checking conflicts for incoming clients. Then someone actually has to review it

[SmokeytheBear]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

I tried lateraling after my first year using both and it didn’t work. Firms generally want you to have more experience so they don’t have to fully fully pay to train you. I started getting a lot more traction toward the end of my second year.

M&A associate who focused only on LA/SF/Sv

[Anonymous User]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

I used a recruiter after getting fired after about a year in nyc biglaw and didn't get much of anything through them. Ended up hustling pretty hard in my own to find a good landing, but finally did.

[Anonymous User]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

I used a recruiter after getting fired after about a year in nyc biglaw and didn't get much of anything through them. Ended up hustling pretty hard in my own to find a good landing, but finally did.

Did you get a heads up or know you were going to get laid off? How long did they give you / keep you on the website?

[Anonymous User]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

I used a recruiter after getting fired after about a year in nyc biglaw and didn't get much of anything through them. Ended up hustling pretty hard in my own to find a good landing, but finally did.

Did you get a heads up or know you were going to get laid off? How long did they give you / keep you on the website?

Anon here. 4.5 months paid followed by an unlimited "personal leave" where I stay on the website but stop getting paid. I left before my paid time ran out.

I felt like I got screwed on getting fired so early, but was treated pretty well afterwards.

This is at a firm that supposedly never fires juniors, but I knew of several other first years who were given similar talks. Everyone just keeps it quiet and then disappears.

[Anonymous User]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

I used a recruiter after getting fired after about a year in nyc biglaw and didn't get much of anything through them. Ended up hustling pretty hard in my own to find a good landing, but finally did.

Did you get a heads up or know you were going to get laid off? How long did they give you / keep you on the website?

Anon here. 4.5 months paid followed by an unlimited "personal leave" where I stay on the website but stop getting paid. I left before my paid time ran out.

I felt like I got screwed on getting fired so early, but was treated pretty well afterwards.

This is at a firm that supposedly never fires juniors, but I knew of several other first years who were given similar talks. Everyone just keeps it quiet and then disappears.

That's actually pretty good -- seems the firm really went out of its way to soften the blow. I'm glad you ended up on your feet. I assume business reasons if several juniors got the talk? Were your slow in terms of your hours?

[sparty99]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

I used a recruiter after getting fired after about a year in nyc biglaw and didn't get much of anything through them. Ended up hustling pretty hard in my own to find a good landing, but finally did.

Did you get a heads up or know you were going to get laid off? How long did they give you / keep you on the website?

Anon here. 4.5 months paid followed by an unlimited "personal leave" where I stay on the website but stop getting paid. I left before my paid time ran out.

I felt like I got screwed on getting fired so early, but was treated pretty well afterwards.

This is at a firm that supposedly never fires juniors, but I knew of several other first years who were given similar talks. Everyone just keeps it quiet and then disappears.

Well. 4.5 is a lot of vacation. I mean, that is like $35,000. Enjoy your time off. You might be able to get unemployed now depending on your state.

[Anonymous User]

OP here: bumping because I feel like this thread got a little off track. Anyone care to share their experiences with lateraling after first year, either by using a recruiter or networking?

Thank you

I used a recruiter after getting fired after about a year in nyc biglaw and didn't get much of anything through them. Ended up hustling pretty hard in my own to find a good landing, but finally did.

Did you get a heads up or know you were going to get laid off? How long did they give you / keep you on the website?

Anon here. 4.5 months paid followed by an unlimited "personal leave" where I stay on the website but stop getting paid. I left before my paid time ran out.

I felt like I got screwed on getting fired so early, but was treated pretty well afterwards.

This is at a firm that supposedly never fires juniors, but I knew of several other first years who were given similar talks. Everyone just keeps it quiet and then disappears.

That's actually pretty good -- seems the firm really went out of its way to soften the blow. I'm glad you ended up on your feet. I assume business reasons if several juniors got the talk? Were your slow in terms of your hours?

I was told that they hadn't seen enough progress. No specific screw ups or anything. Pretty obvious this wouldn't have happened if the group was busier, but it's fine. Fact of the matter is you don't have the job security you thought you did.