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I found a lateral opening post on a firm's website for an associate position that I am interested in and qualified for. I also have a very good friend at the firm. Should I submit a lateral application through the firm's website via the posting or should I give my materials to my friend to forward?

I ask because it seems the conventional wisdom is the best way to lateral is to have someone you know at the firm go to bat for you, but it seems somewhat odd to go about it that way for a position I clearly found on the posting on the lawcruit site. Thanks in advance.

If you trust your friend, give it to him/her. Some big firms give their employees referral bonuses for submitting candidates that get hired (my firm gives $10K). If that is the case, your friend would have a good reason for promoting your application. Just make sure the friend knows who the contact person is for the application so it won't get lost.