Reneging on an SA Job Acceptance Forum

[Anonymous User]

So how not cool is it to unaccept an SA offer from a firm? Would a SUBSTANTIALLY better opportunity make it a little more ok or would you pretty much ruin your reputation in the legal market?

Would it make a difference if the firm were small/in a different city than you plan on targeting etc?

[Anonymous User]

So how not cool is to unaccept an SA offer from a firm? Would a SUBSTANTIALLY better opportunity make it a little more ok or would you pretty much ruin your reputation in the legal market?

Would it make a difference if the firm were small/in a different city than you plan on targeting etc?

I have no special expertise on this matter except I have read the many previous threads that ask the same question. The consensus seems to be that you should look out for number one and not feel bound except to the extent that reneging in the same market, or a market to which you hope to lateral later, might tarnish your reputation in that legal community. Most say that just feeling bad about upsetting the firm or your CSO is not sufficient to forgo the superior career opportunity. Might be different if you got the first job through relationships that are important to you (Professor etc.).

Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

So how not cool is to unaccept an SA offer from a firm? Would a SUBSTANTIALLY better opportunity make it a little more ok or would you pretty much ruin your reputation in the legal market?

Would it make a difference if the firm were small/in a different city than you plan on targeting etc?

I asked my OCI person this question. Reneging on a judge. Reneging on a firm. She said that honestly, you can do either and it may make sense to do either, but make sure you are thinking of the future (ex. will I be in front of this judge? will I be working with this firm (or this office of a big firm)?

[delusional]

So how not cool is to unaccept an SA offer from a firm? Would a SUBSTANTIALLY better opportunity make it a little more ok or would you pretty much ruin your reputation in the legal market?

Would it make a difference if the firm were small/in a different city than you plan on targeting etc?

I asked my OCI person this question. Reneging on a judge. Reneging on a firm. She said that honestly, you can do either and it may make sense to do either, but make sure you are thinking of the future (ex. will I be in front of this judge? will I be working with this firm (or this office of a big firm)?

I think if you analyze the expected value, reneging will almost always be better by a ridiculous margin.
For example, assume the better firm pays an extra $10k a year. Compare that with a momentary uncomfortable conversation, a .5% chance that you'll appear in front of the judge (although of course it depends on location, practice area, etc.) and a 5% chance that you'll work with that firm but almost no chance that it will affect your dealings with them. It's obvious that it's not the reputation that's the issue, it's the momentary discomfort. Suck it up and cash in.