Top Law Schools

Just got offered a new job (which I am super excited to take) and am going through the preliminary stuff (background check, conflicts check, etc.). Was also told that they wanted a professional reference from my current firm (someone who has supervised my work).

Am I being paranoid or is it reasonable to think that after I give notice, a supervisor at my current firm may not be giving the most favorable reference? Obviously if there was someone I knew would give a great reference I would use them but here I only have one option. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing? How much weight will my new firm give these references after I already have a job offer? Why do they take these and would they really pull an offer based on something like this? I'm not actually worried about a bad review, as my reviews have all been good/great, but the possibility of a less than excited reference scares me. Thanks in advance if anyone has experience with this narrow question!

Most places won't do much of anything except confirm employment.

kalvano wrote:Most places won't do much of anything except confirm employment.

Not true for people you affirmatively give as a reference. Then they can talk about your work etc. When you give notice, do it professionally and ask them at that time if they would feel comfortable giving you a reference. Assuming they say yes, then go with it. Associates come and go all the time, as long as you aren't a jerk about leaving, no partner is going to ruin your career over a lateral move.