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switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 3:09 pm
by Anonymous User
I am a 3L and I am going to a v10 that allowed me to pick whichever group i wanted. I picked a group last month but am now regretting that selection. If I call and ask if i can switch my selection, is it possible they will pull my offer, or will they probably let me switch? i started off in the group that i wanted to be in and switched mid-summer to the other. what is the worst that could happen?i assume calling the sooner the better.

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 4:39 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I am a 3L and I am going to a v10 that allowed me to pick whichever group i wanted. I picked a group last month but am now regretting that selection. If I call and ask if i can switch my selection, is it possible they will pull my offer, or will they probably let me switch? i started off in the group that i wanted to be in and switched mid-summer to the other. what is the worst that could happen?i assume calling the sooner the better.
Bump. Surely this must have happened to someone here or someone that someone here knows in the past.

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 4:49 pm
by LaLiLuLeLo
Don't bump after an hour. Come on now.

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 6:04 pm
by umichman
BUMP. please some thoughts

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:37 am
by tbird
Ok I will play, although I don't know anything about you or what firm you are going to or what their needs are (just like everyone else doesn't know the answer to this question). I can speculate though. Most likely they won't pull your offer. Assuming you summered there and got an offer that way they aren't going to throw away their investment simply because you changed your mind about which group you want to be in. If they have already filled the spot you want to be in now, they will likely tell you there is no longer room in that group. Or maybe that group is extra busy and they will say cool. Who knows, is there someone there that you trust that could give you some better insight?

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 9:28 am
by Anonymous User
tbird wrote:Ok I will play, although I don't know anything about you or what firm you are going to or what their needs are (just like everyone else doesn't know the answer to this question). I can speculate though. Most likely they won't pull your offer. Assuming you summered there and got an offer that way they aren't going to throw away their investment simply because you changed your mind about which group you want to be in. If they have already filled the spot you want to be in now, they will likely tell you there is no longer room in that group. Or maybe that group is extra busy and they will say cool. Who knows, is there someone there that you trust that could give you some better insight?
This, confirmed from a v15. Not sure if it's the same for every firm, but just be cordial about it. It's not a simple process at all because some people are sensitive and they might think you're leaving their practice group because you dont like them, so be mindful of that.

If they don't have room then will most likely keep you in mind for the future.

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:22 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
tbird wrote:Ok I will play, although I don't know anything about you or what firm you are going to or what their needs are (just like everyone else doesn't know the answer to this question). I can speculate though. Most likely they won't pull your offer. Assuming you summered there and got an offer that way they aren't going to throw away their investment simply because you changed your mind about which group you want to be in. If they have already filled the spot you want to be in now, they will likely tell you there is no longer room in that group. Or maybe that group is extra busy and they will say cool. Who knows, is there someone there that you trust that could give you some better insight?
This, confirmed from a v15. Not sure if it's the same for every firm, but just be cordial about it. It's not a simple process at all because some people are sensitive and they might think you're leaving their practice group because you dont like them, so be mindful of that.

If they don't have room then will most likely keep you in mind for the future.
I have some people I trust. But would i want to talk to someone that is in recruiting or an attorney? it seems the person in recruiting that i trust would be more liklely to be helpful.

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 11:08 am
by Mr. Fancy
I'd be careful. The risk is that there will be no room for you in the new group and thus have to stay in the current group, and people in your current group will find out and that will (at least subconsciously) harm your integration as a junior.

Re: switching practice groups before starting

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 12:06 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
tbird wrote:Ok I will play, although I don't know anything about you or what firm you are going to or what their needs are (just like everyone else doesn't know the answer to this question). I can speculate though. Most likely they won't pull your offer. Assuming you summered there and got an offer that way they aren't going to throw away their investment simply because you changed your mind about which group you want to be in. If they have already filled the spot you want to be in now, they will likely tell you there is no longer room in that group. Or maybe that group is extra busy and they will say cool. Who knows, is there someone there that you trust that could give you some better insight?
This, confirmed from a v15. Not sure if it's the same for every firm, but just be cordial about it. It's not a simple process at all because some people are sensitive and they might think you're leaving their practice group because you dont like them, so be mindful of that.

If they don't have room then will most likely keep you in mind for the future.
I have some people I trust. But would i want to talk to someone that is in recruiting or an attorney? it seems the person in recruiting that i trust would be more liklely to be helpful.
If you really trust the person in recruiting, go for it. Personally, I would be very forthcoming and honest, but strategic. Meaning, I would tell them that I'm unhappy with my current group/I want to change, but I'd phrase it in a way that begs advice. Aka "from your experience, how have practice groups dealt with switching" etc. And then gauge the recruiter's reaction. If she's taken aback, then obvi that's that and you're stuck with your group. If she's happy to talk w/you, then gradually be more revealing.

I don't have to tell you this, but never badmouth you current group. Regardless of how "close" you think you are with the recruiter, I can assure you that you're not as close as others in your practice.