Don't tell old firm name of new firm - why? Forum

[Olive83]

I've been advised that if and when making a lateral move as an associate between firms, not to tell your old firm the name of the new when quitting - to wait until settled in. I have heard this from recruiters and from CSO. Genuinely curious - what's the wisdom behind this?

[bah-humbug]

I've never heard of anyone refusing to tell so I think it is sort of ridiculous advice. theoretically perhaps becuase they would try to talk you out of it I assume. Is this coming from recruiter who has vested interest in you going becuase they get paid?

[Anonymous User]

It's kind of a weird convention. At my 1L summer PI job, during a lunch talk an attorney told us all these brutal details about the trials she won but wouldn't tell us she worked at SNR Denton before she left.

Also, your firm bio is going to be the first thing that shows up in a google search. It makes no sense not to tell them.

[thelawyler]

Every time an email blast goes out that says X attorney is leaving or joining, it lists the firm they are leaving or joining. I call BS on this advice.

[Olive83]

Yeah, it seems like odd advice, given that people will figure it out pretty easily once you leave, but it's generally been said not to give the new firm name before the first day at the new firm, after which I was told one can say.

I didn't think about the idea that telling may create the possibility of being talked out of leaving. That must be the rationale. Still seems silly though.

[deadlinguo]

Weird advice. The name of your employer is practically public knowledge, whether it be the firm's website, your LinkedIn profile, your school's alumni database, etc. I think the state bar has a database too.