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Has anyone ever successfully requested to go on a secondment at their biglaw firm? Partnership prospects and advancement at the firm are not an issue, since I only want to stay in biglaw for 4 years max. I know clients usually request specific associates they have worked with in the past, but I've heard of clients requesting just any associate (oftentimes to cover for someone who is out on disability or maternity leave), and I would want to be considered in a situation like this. I'd love to do one for the salary + hours combo, and also as a possible lead-in to a permanent in-house job.

I'm a bit confused as to why you're requesting the leave.

sometimesIwonder wrote:I'm a bit confused as to why you're requesting the leave.

Sounds like they want it for the biglaw salary + in house hours combo, along with making connections for a possible in-house move down the road. Most everyone at my firm who has done a secondment has spoken very highly of it, so I don't blame them for seeking one.

I can't stress how highly firm dependent this is. Some firms actively encourage associates to second at clients, because it strengthens the connection between the firm and the client. At one of the firms I worked at, seconding to a client (and having been allowed to be seconded) was basically a sure fire path to partnership. At other firms, I don't think as much.

Your best bet is to talk to associates senior to you who you are close with. Ultimately, even a conversation with partnership, if framed properly, wouldn't be career limiting.

Not OP, but I am also interested in this. I think my employer encourages it, and am thinking of it as a potential gateway to an exit option. Just so I understand, you are asking how usual it is/what the etiquette is to essentially ask a partner, "if any client requests a lawyer for a secondment, please let them know I'm available," right? Would you limit it to a specific client for whom you've worked before, or say "any" client?

Also, I'm sure the statistics on this might be difficult to locate, but in everyone's experience, how often does this actually lead to a permanent job? Could it help with another in-house placement if that specific one doesn't?