Top Law Schools

Will be associate at big firm next year. I just saw on LinkedIn that my favorite associate left the firm for another, similarly ranked firm. Would it be weird to ask why he left? I dont know if that is considered taboo or awkward.

Yes, that's weird. Welcome to biglaw - everybody leaves, and it always seems to be the people you like.

If you happen to run into her, you can say something like "I was bummed to hear you left." Or something, and maybe she'll voulnteer a reason. Maybe she won't. Don't pry.

Yeah I get why you're curious but don't ask unless you're like actually friends with them I guess

If they aren't at the firm anymore, I don't think much harm can come from asking. I'd phrase it slightly different though - send email saying congrats on the new position. Although I'm slightly bummed because I enjoyed working with you and considered you a mentor. Leave it at that and they might volunteer some info.

All my mentors and coordinators during the summer program left the firm by the time I started. This isn't unusual since attrition is at its height for 3-5th years, and those are the associates most involved in the summer programs.

Anonymous User wrote:Will be associate at big firm next year. I just saw on LinkedIn that my favorite associate left the firm for another, similarly ranked firm. Would it be weird to ask why he left? I dont know if that is considered taboo or awkward.

If you really care, buy him/her lunch and talk about his/her experience at the firm and what you should do/avoid doing. Sending a cold e-mail saying "WTF BRO" would be fine but you'll probably hear "just wanted a change of scenery." You won't get any actual information.

Strange responses to this thread IMO. Literally zero harm in shooting him a message and asking him why he left.

You should try and see if you can join him/her at their new firm.

smokeylarue wrote:Strange responses to this thread IMO. Literally zero harm in shooting him a message and asking him why he left.

There's no harm. But it's still weird and, imo, a social faux pas to just reach out to ask why they left. Especially in biglaw and the attrition rate it has. People are expected to leave.

Don't ask why they left; phrase it as "can you tell me about your experience now that you left". There could be a ton of reasons, though, but I think the way they describe their experience will clue you into the reasons, if they don't offer it upfront.

Don't ask why they left; phrase it as "can you tell me about your experience now that you left". There could be a ton of reasons, though, but I think the way they describe their experience will clue you into the reasons, if they don't offer it upfront.