Lateral Help Forum

[Anonymous User]

Reaching out to TLS for some guidance here:

Current status: I'm a third-year lit associate at a large firm in a secondary market - I had mediocre grades and am lucky to have my job. This past year was very rough for me; I billed 2150 hours, but this was concentrated primarily in six 220 hour months. I fucked some things up early last year in March of 2016, which resulted in my removal from one case and a very stern admonition in another. Both mistakes were on matters for two rainmaking partners. I received my annual review in December, and was told to get it straight by May or there would be a harder conversation forthcoming (i.e., fired). I feel like I've improved my work product and judgment calls since my annual evaluation, but I still feel like I'm pretty much out the door.

In response to my negative review, I started applying elsewhere to pretty much every firm in my secondary market, and was rejected by a handful. I haven't heard from the rest, but it's very safe to assume rejection. I've used recruiters to apply in other markets, and have applied myself to several in-house gigs. Still waiting to hear back. Other factors to consider: (1) purchased a home in August (payments are around $1,600 a month with my fiance's contribution); and (2) wedding in June, which I'll contribute towards; (3) I have $50,000 in my emergency savings account, and another $45,000 in my 401(k); and (4) paid off my student loans completely. No kids.

Lateral offer: I interviewed with a small, 7-attorney firm in my secondary market and recently received an offer. It's headed by a well-regarded attorney in town, but he's 66 and I'm not sure how the firm would generate business without him. I asked him if he was thinking about retirement, and he said no - but still, the dude is 66. They offered $130,000 as starting salary with small discretionary bonuses. I currently make $195,000, but I'm very willing to make less. I'm told zero weekend work and no billable hours requirement - on average, the two younger associates billed around 1,700 hours the past two years.

Ultimate Goals: I eventually want to leave law altogether and get a position on the business side of things. Perhaps more ideally, a position in-house that involves business and law. What sounds terrible, however, is an in-house gig where you're walled off in the legal department, and essentially advise business on the risks and strategy involved. That's exactly what outside counsel does, which is why I want to avoid that as much as possible.

Question: Should I take the small law offer in light of my goals and bad reviews at my current firm? Hold out until May to see if I can find something better? My concern is that taking the small law offer will corner me into law forever. What would you do and why?

[Anonymous User]

Reaching out to TLS for some guidance here:

Current status: I'm a third-year lit associate at a large firm in a secondary market - I had mediocre grades and am lucky to have my job. This past year was very rough for me; I billed 2150 hours, but this was concentrated primarily in six 220 hour months. I fucked some things up early last year in March of 2016, which resulted in my removal from one case and a very stern admonition in another. Both mistakes were on matters for two rainmaking partners. I received my annual review in December, and was told to get it straight by May or there would be a harder conversation forthcoming (i.e., fired). I feel like I've improved my work product and judgment calls since my annual evaluation, but I still feel like I'm pretty much out the door.

In response to my negative review, I started applying elsewhere to pretty much every firm in my secondary market, and was rejected by a handful. I haven't heard from the rest, but it's very safe to assume rejection. I've used recruiters to apply in other markets, and have applied my self to several in-house gigs. Still waiting to hear back. Other factors to consider: (1) purchased a home in August (payments are around $1,600 a month with my fiance's contribution); and (2) wedding in June, which I'll contribute towards; (3) I have $50,000 in my emergency savings account, and another $45,000 in my 401(k); and (4) paid off my student loans completely. No kids.

Lateral offer: I interviewed with a small, 7-attorney firm in my secondary market and recently received an offer. It's headed by a well-regarded attorney in town, but he's 66 and I'm not sure how the firm would generate business without him. I asked him if he was thinking about retirement, and he said no - but still, the dude is 66. They offered $130,000 as starting salary with small discretionary bonuses. I currently make $195,000. Zero weekend work, and no billable hours requirement - on average, the two younger associates billed around 1,700 hours the past two years.

Ultimate Goals: I eventually want to leave law altogether and get a position on the business side of things. Perhaps more ideally, a position in-house that involves business and law. What sounds terrible, however, is an in-house gig where you're walled off in the legal department, and essentially advise business on the risks and strategy involved. That's exactly what outside counsel does, which is why I want to avoid that as much as possible.

Question: Should I take the small law offer in light of my goals and bad reviews at my old firm? Hold out until May to see if I can find something better? My concern is that taking the small law offer will corner me into law forever. What would you do and why?

I considered an offer like yours when I lateraled. It sounded like a great offer, but like you I was concerned about what would happen when the rainmaker passed. As I saw it, there are one of two likely possibilities: 1) you inherit the rainmaker's clients, 2) the firm breaks up. I ended up passing for an in-house offer due to the stability it offered.

I would suggest seeing if you can have a frank conversation with the partner about your concerns (ideally in-person). It may be enlightening. If they are unwilling to talk in-depth, that's probably a warning sign. I wouldn't necessarily be worried about small-law forever. High-end small-law can be a pretty good gig. And, if the firm really is doing high end work, I wouldn't necessarily assume the biglaw route is closed forever. It's more likely you will get trial experience at the small firm, which could be very valuable down the line.