Top Law Schools

How common is it for laterals to be asked for a reference from their prior firm? I've been practicing for little over a year.

I ask because I sense things at my firm (mid-size, secondary market) are likely coming to an end, and I don't have great relationships with many of the lawyers at the firm.

If you believe your firm is going down start looking now while it's still around and you have a job. Many laterals apply and interview with the agreement they are seeking a new position in "confidence" and don't want current employers to know. So sharing a reference will not be necessary in that situation.

Best of luck!

i don't think it's that common, but some firms, such as covington, do it

Anonymous User wrote:How common is it for laterals to be asked for a reference from their prior firm? I've been practicing for little over a year.

I ask because I sense things at my firm (mid-size, secondary market) are likely coming to an end, and I don't have great relationships with many of the lawyers at the firm.

I got two V100 offers a few years ago and no one ever asked me for a reference. I also received an offer to go inhouse and the inhouse company asked for a reference. It shouldn't be too hard to find 1 partner that you have a good relationship with. They generally don't ask really deep questions. Just questions about your personality, confirm employment dates and that was mostly it. I think it was more of a formality than anything else. The partner told me that the call was like 3-5 minutes.