Traveling between Switching Firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hoping someone might have some anecdotal info regarding time off between lateraling.

I am looking to lateral in the not-so-distant future, potentially to a new market (I am already bar certified in that market).

Would it be possible to have 1-3 months off to travel between jobs? I suppose this is largely firm dependent and every firm will have needs with different timelines, but I was hoping people might have insight from their lateral process.

[Anonymous User]

Do you mean you have another position and want a 1-3 month transition before you have to start?

I'm gonna go ahead and say no. You're filling a current need of the firm, why would they be ok with you not starting for several months? My firm is going through a lateral hire right now for our practice group because we are swamped. We need someone to start working yesterday, I think that's how most laterals go.

You might be able to get a few weeks for relocation purposes but that's about it.

Edit: accidental anon sorry

[Anonymous User]

Do you mean you have another position and want a 1-3 month transition before you have to start?

I'm gonna go ahead and say no. You're filling a current need of the firm, why would they be ok with you not starting for several months? My firm is going through a lateral hire right now for our practice group because we are swamped. We need someone to start working yesterday, I think that's how most laterals go.

You might be able to get a few weeks for relocation purposes but that's about it.

Edit: accidental anon sorry

OP from above. I don't have one lined up yet, just beginning the search.

Thanks, I was thinking that might be the case but I also thought there might be some time available for relocation + conflicts clearance etc.

[Anonymous User]

Conflicts usually only takes a couple weeks. Plus, I wouldn't give notice until everything has cleared, so you can't really take that time off. You could probably also get a couple weeks for relocation, but not 1-3 months.

[kaiser]

Its common for people take take about 2-3 weeks off between jobs, whether it be to move locations, travel a bit, or just get get things administratively in order so that you are ready to go. As people said, you are filling a need of your new firm. They may need your assistance immediately (and I've heard of people not taking any time off between jobs for this reason). Or they may be totally fine with you taking a few weeks to get set (which is far more common). But the 1 month mark is really the high end, and really only if you have to move in between. Anything above that is imposing on your new firm, and won't look good.

If you don't have to move, taking 2-3 weeks off is more than enough time to travel and get away for awhile.

[PMan99]

I've seen it go both ways - starting immediately (no time off) or getting an extended period (a month or even more). Far more often are the "start right aways" or "start in a week," though that could just be sample size. I would certainly not plan on months.