do other law firms respect class year bumps? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 2nd year at a v10 in NYC and was going to leave to head to a different market come January. I expressed this to some of the partners and they told me they'd bump me to a 4th year if I stayed. My question is assuming I take the bump to 4th year and finish it off and then leave the following January and move to a different market, would they treat me as a 5th year generally?

Trying to gauge whether this even makes sense to stay.

Thanks

[Anonymous User]

How do i do this? I have been thinking of leaving, but getting that bump early could make me stay. Was this just a casual discussion?

[Anonymous User]

Don't think it's that common - but combo of being well-liked by partners + practice needing people. I just told them and they offered it. Historically happened a few times before so knew it was option but didn't expect it.

[rpupkin]

I'm a 2nd year at a v10 in NYC and was going to leave to head to a different market come January. I expressed this to some of the partners and they told me they'd bump me to a 4th year if I stayed. My question is assuming I take the bump to 4th year and finish it off and then leave the following January and move to a different market, would they treat me as a 5th year generally?

Trying to gauge whether this even makes sense to stay.

Thanks

Class-year status is usually negotiable. Some firms are more flexible than others. In general, though, firms aren't going to care that your current firm bumped you up a year. You can (and should) bring up the bump in negotiations, but it's not some automatic trump card. If the firm really needs laterals and really likes you, then it's certainly on the table.

I know you're looking for a cleaner answer than "it depends on the firm and how desirable of a lateral candidate you are," but that's the truth.

[Anonymous User]

I knew a guy who several years ago transferred from a mid-size market to NYC as a fourth year and got offers at 3 V10s. One offered him a job as a second year, one offered him a job as third year, and one offered him a job as a fourth year. He took the third one.