Accepted Offer at One Office; How to Transfer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I spent my 2L SA at a firm's primary office. I received and accepted an offer at the primary office. My spouse currently works in a city where the firm has a (smaller) secondary office with its own hiring program. My SO is having difficulty finding work in the firm's primary market; as such, I am looking at trying to transfer to the firm's secondary office. Due to some significant law school debt, I am concerned that trying to transfer offices may backfire (i.e., the firm may terminate my employment).

Does anyone have experience transferring offices before starting as an associate? I'm thinking of calling the recruiting coordinator and explaining the situation. I hope that the firm wouldn't take offense to the request -- I want to stay with the firm, but moving offices would make my and my spouse's lives much easier.

[thesealocust]

Just ask, your plan sounds logical. Worst they can do is say no, but I know people who have done similar things and had it work out.

[BeenDidThat]

To add on to what sealocust said, talk to a partner that likes you/trusts you. Most of the partners I know would completely understand your situation and question, and would get the ball rolling to see if it's a possibility. I don't know many people who would look down on someone for wanting to be in the same place as their spouse with both having jobs.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the input, guys. I have a couple of people that I think I could ask (including my mentor from the summer). Should I contact my mentor by email or phone? I assume email. (Just don't want to make a dumb mistake...)

[thesealocust]

Either is fine. Email is less interrupting starfish.

[Anonymous User]

When I wanted to transfer offices after my 2L summer, I was advised to wait until after I got my offer but before I accepted. I called the head of the recruiting department, had a five minute conversation explaining my circumstances, and was approved to transfer a few days later. I was told that approval of my request had been entirely contingent on there being space in the other office.

It seems like you're asked to be moved to a smaller office, and it's pretty late in the game (after they've hired any 3Ls they might have needed), so I would say that your odds aren't very good. But there's no harm in asking. I would definitely talk to recruiting and not any of the attorneys.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the success story. I guess I should have asked in the summer, but I didn't foresee the job transition difficulties that my spouse would have.