How much severance does your biglaw firm give? Forum

[Anonymous User]

How long is the severance period?

How long is the "keep you on the website" period?

I think I'm getting lowballed.

[Anonymous User]

6 weeks, though I believe we're towards the low end.

[Anonymous User]

My first biglaw firm gave multiple juniors 4 weeks from the hard talk. Website / email access was contingent upon you being a good firm citizen and, in any event, not guaranteed.

[Anonymous User]

How long is the severance period?

How long is the "keep you on the website" period?

I think I'm getting lowballed.

6 months and immediate removal from the website.

[Anonymous User]

6 months of pay and 6 months on website.

Have been at another firm that only gave 1 to 3 months pay/website time.

[Anonymous User]

Do these firms also give unemployment, and is the cap on unemployment like $440 a week? The statute is very confusing

[Anonymous User]

Do these firms also give unemployment, and is the cap on unemployment like $440 a week? The statute is very confusing

The cap varies by jurisdiction, but 440 a week is about right for NY/DC/CA.

Firms don't really give or not give unemployment, it's a state program. They can fight your claim, but I seriously doubt any do.

One thing is that that firm severance is usually paid out like you still work there. So you can't collect unemployment until you run out of severance.

[nealric]

6 weeks with immediate termination seems to be low end, 6 months with continued office and website privileges on high end. Many firms have a sliding scale depending on the individual.

[Toni V]

I have no anecdotal info on this. A year or two ago I read that several associates were cut during Nov. I recall wondering if this timing affected their bonuses.

[nealric]

I have no anecdotal info on this. A year or two ago I read that several associates were cut during Nov. I recall wondering if this timing affected their bonuses.

They probably weren't getting bonuses to begin with.

[Anonymous User]

I got 3 months, but you can possibly take an non-paid leave so that the firm can keep your website profile for a little bit longer

[nerdylsat]

What's the benefit of being on the firm's website longer? Employment opportunities?

[bk1]

What's the benefit of being on the firm's website longer? Employment opportunities?

Easier to obfuscate whether or not you still work there when interviewing elsewhere.

[Anonymous User]

My firm offered me 6 weeks, I negotiated it to 8 (that was the most they were going to go). I was also allowed to stay up on the website during that entire 8 weeks, with a stipulation that it would stay up on a month to month basis thereafter as needed. I didn't end up needing it longer then that though.

[Anonymous User]

My firm offered me 6 weeks, I negotiated it to 8 (that was the most they were going to go). I was also allowed to stay up on the website during that entire 8 weeks, with a stipulation that it would stay up on a month to month basis thereafter as needed. I didn't end up needing it longer then that though.

Did you get an offer somewhere else within 8 weeks!? How?

[Anonymous User]

My firm offered me 6 weeks, I negotiated it to 8 (that was the most they were going to go). I was also allowed to stay up on the website during that entire 8 weeks, with a stipulation that it would stay up on a month to month basis thereafter as needed. I didn't end up needing it longer then that though.

Did you get an offer somewhere else within 8 weeks!? How?

I revieved multiple biglaw offers within 4. You just can't waste time. Very few biglaw firings aren't telegraphed, so your resume and cover letter should be ready to go already. You should also have a recruiter on hold.

You will probably get fired on a Friday. Reach out to your friends at other firms that day. Then get drunk or partake in your vice of choice. Let your recruiter know you're moving full speed ahead on Monday.

By week two you should have some first rounders coming in. Schedule them ASAP. Let people know in the interviews that you're on a tight schedule.

Second rounds happen on week 3, with offers a day or two after that. Conflicts might take a week more, but you can snag an offer within a month.

If you are a weaker candidate or the market is weaker it will take more time. But it can be done so long as you apply relatively broadly and are ready with your documents on day one. If you're set on your one dream lateral firm and need a month to get your resume in gear, yeah, you might be waiting a while.

[Anonymous User]

My firm offered me 6 weeks, I negotiated it to 8 (that was the most they were going to go). I was also allowed to stay up on the website during that entire 8 weeks, with a stipulation that it would stay up on a month to month basis thereafter as needed. I didn't end up needing it longer then that though.

Did you get an offer somewhere else within 8 weeks!? How?

I revieved multiple biglaw offers within 4. You just can't waste time. Very few biglaw firings aren't telegraphed, so your resume and cover letter should be ready to go already. You should also have a recruiter on hold.

You will probably get fired on a Friday. Reach out to your friends at other firms that day. Then get drunk or partake in your vice of choice. Let your recruiter know you're moving full speed ahead on Monday.

By week two you should have some first rounders coming in. Schedule them ASAP. Let people know in the interviews that you're on a tight schedule.

Second rounds happen on week 3, with offers a day or two after that. Conflicts might take a week more, but you can snag an offer within a month.

If you are a weaker candidate or the market is weaker it will take more time. But it can be done so long as you apply relatively broadly and are ready with your documents on day one. If you're set on your one dream lateral firm and need a month to get your resume in gear, yeah, you might be waiting a while.

Thanks for the response! Are you a middle level associate? I was let go as a junior, scheduled lunch and coffee with friends, called some recruiters to understand the market, but not many firms are hiring my class.

Did you also use you recruiter? I understand they can prob get your resume to HRs faster but don't firms usually prefer internal referral (through your friends)?

I had an interview lately but this firm needs me to be in a specific corp group (and not as a generalist) instead of my original practice group which generally has better exit options, do you think I should take it for lack of options? or wait for something better? How long do you usually have before accepting an offer? Thank!