Lateral offer stolen Forum

[Anonymous User]

reposted below.

[rpupkin]

With such a provocative thread title, I think you have an ethical obligation to provide us with content. Mods?

[SFSpartan]

There's a story to be told here, so tell it.

[NoLongerALurker]

No doubt. I feel blueballed.

[BlendedUnicorn]

With such a provocative thread title, I think you have an ethical obligation to provide us with content. Mods?

Trust me I'm in the same boat.

[estefanchanning]

I read the original post, wasn't that interesting.

Something along the lines of-- associate got job from lateral firm and gave his 2 weeks to current firm. Partner from current firm called to give a 'recommendation' to departing associate (not sure why he did this?). After this recommendation, lateral firm told said associate that the lateral firm just lost a major client and has to rescind associate's offer.

Also the partner that called to give 'recommendation' now has an offer from this lateral firm. And now OP has 1 week before becoming jobless bc of 2 week notice.

I read it hastily, so details are fuzzy. sry.

[rpupkin]

I read the original post, wasn't that interesting.

Based on your description, it sounds quite interesting. Seriously.

[foregetaboutdre]

I read the original post, wasn't that interesting.

Something along the lines of-- associate got job from lateral firm and gave his 2 weeks to current firm. Partner from current firm called to give a 'recommendation' to departing associate (not sure why he did this?). After this recommendation, lateral firm told said associate that the lateral firm just lost a major client and has to rescind associate's offer.

Also the partner that called to give 'recommendation' now has an offer from this lateral firm. And now OP has 1 week before becoming jobless bc of 2 week notice.

I read it hastily, so details are fuzzy. sry.

If true that sucks

[lolwat]

I read the original post, wasn't that interesting.

Based on your description, it sounds quite interesting. Seriously.

I agree.

[sparty99]

I read the original post, wasn't that interesting.

Something along the lines of-- associate got job from lateral firm and gave his 2 weeks to current firm. Partner from current firm called to give a 'recommendation' to departing associate (not sure why he did this?). After this recommendation, lateral firm told said associate that the lateral firm just lost a major client and has to rescind associate's offer.

Also the partner that called to give 'recommendation' now has an offer from this lateral firm. And now OP has 1 week before becoming jobless bc of 2 week notice.

I read it hastily, so details are fuzzy. sry.

This sounds shady as hell. Out the FIRMS.

[cron1834]

Mysterious af.

[Anonymous User]

OP Here - I have been going back and forth about whether to put my post back up because the situation is very unique but I figured I might as well because my bridge with the partner has been burned. I've had a very unfortunate situation happen to me at work and am unsure how to proceed, and wanted to reach out to TLS to see if anyone has ever had anything similar happen or if you could offer any much needed advice.

I'm a mid level associate at a very small firm in the Mid West. I went to a TTT (below median) but, due to my unique language skills & ethnicity was able to secure a position at my current firm. I worked pretty much general practice, doing a wide range of corporate / compliance / and a lot of government work. It was a good experience but my salary has been very low but due to my grades/position I haven't been able to find a lateral position until now. The thing is I am part of an ethnic group and speak a language of people that prefer to work with other members of this ethnic group.

A few months ago I reached out to a partner of a regional biglaw firm (also same ethnicity/language) and asked if they have any needs, and talked about my experience. Randomly, about a month ago, I was invited to interview with that partner and a few associates, who said they were swamped and needed someone to step in asap to help work with clients of this group. I received an offer a few days later which is essentially triple of my salary at the boutique firm. I was estatic because this was seriously life-changing, and I could never expect that, with my credential & experience, I could land a job like this. I accepted the offer and set a start date a little over a month out, so that I could transition current work to other people at my firm. I immediately told my mentor/partner, and she seemed very dissapointed that I would be leaving, but she understood (I thought).

Earlier this week I received a phone call from the biglaw firm saying that they have unexpectantly lost a major client and need to rescind my offer. As you can understand I am devastated and I spent the past two days crying about losing the opportunity. Yesterday the partner at my current firm came in and told me that she reached out to the biglaw firm after I told her about my offer to "provide a recommendation" and that they asked her to join the firm. She said she was shocked to learn that my offer had been rescinded. It seems that was basically happened is that they sensed interest from my partner (who has my same language skills & ethnicity) and decided to make an offer to her, knowing that she would be able to bring some clients. I am pretty sure that she would be making significantly more at this firm than she does now. She basically STOLE the position from me. I don't know what to do at this point because I essentially burned bridges with everyone else at my firm and my quit day is next week. I am completely devastated at losing the offer, at the partner going behind my back and stealing the offer, and at loss what to do now - I am unqualified, unemployed, and with no prospects. Does anyone have advice as to what to do now? Can I reach out to my BAR?

[sparty99]

OP Here - I have been going back and forth about whether to put my post back up because the situation is very unique but I figured I might as well because my bridge with the partner has been burned. I've had a very unfortunate situation happen to me at work and am unsure how to proceed, and wanted to reach out to TLS to see if anyone has ever had anything similar happen or if you could offer any much needed advice.

I'm a mid level associate at a very small firm in the Mid West. I went to a TTT (below median) but, due to my unique language skills & ethnicity was able to secure a position at my current firm. I worked pretty much general practice, doing a wide range of corporate / compliance / and a lot of government work. It was a good experience but my salary has been very low but due to my grades/position I haven't been able to find a lateral position until now. The thing is I am part of an ethnic group and speak a language of people that prefer to work with other members of this ethnic group.

A few months ago I reached out to a partner of a regional biglaw firm (also same ethnicity/language) and asked if they have any needs, and talked about my experience. Randomly, about a month ago, I was invited to interview with that partner and a few associates, who said they were swamped and needed someone to step in asap to help work with clients of this group. I received an offer a few days later which is essentially triple of my salary at the boutique firm. I was estatic because this was seriously life-changing, and I could never expect that, with my credential & experience, I could land a job like this. I accepted the offer and set a start date a little over a month out, so that I could transition current work to other people at my firm. I immediately told my mentor/partner, and she seemed very dissapointed that I would be leaving, but she understood (I thought).

Earlier this week I received a phone call from the biglaw firm saying that they have unexpectantly lost a major client and need to rescind my offer. As you can understand I am devastated and I spent the past two days crying about losing the opportunity. Yesterday the partner at my current firm came in and told me that she reached out to the biglaw firm after I told her about my offer to "provide a recommendation" and that they asked her to join the firm. She said she was shocked to learn that my offer had been rescinded. It seems that was basically happened is that they sensed interest from my partner (who has my same language skills & ethnicity) and decided to make an offer to her, knowing that she would be able to bring some clients. I am pretty sure that she would be making significantly more at this firm than she does now. She basically STOLE the position from me. I don't know what to do at this point because I essentially burned bridges with everyone else at my firm and my quit day is next week. I am completely devastated at losing the offer, at the partner going behind my back and stealing the offer, and at loss what to do now - I am unqualified, unemployed, and with no prospects. Does anyone have advice as to what to do now? Can I reach out to my BAR?

I would ask for your job back and if they say no, I would file a claim of discrimination against your present and the firm that burned you. Additionally, I would threaten that you will file a claim for tortious interference by your current firm.

[NoLongerALurker]

Wow.

[lolwat]

I agree with wow
I don't think I agree with jumping to file lawsuits (but I will edit this to reflect that consulting someone wouldn't hurt).

[Telecaster]

Thei. Tok. Hish. jerb!

[adil91]

You may want to see an employment lawyer. You could possibly have a tortious interference claim

[SmokeytheBear]

You may want to see an employment lawyer. You could possibly have a tortious interference claim

Yes. There is a claim here.

[Telecaster]

You may want to see an employment lawyer. You could possibly have a tortious interference claim

This.

[cron1834]

Sorry OP, that really sucks. I hope things turn out well for you.

[estefanchanning]

Also OP, have you tried speaking to your current firm's managing partner and explaining the situation? You were just making choices that were in your best interest...it's very understandable. Maybe they'll give you your job back?

[omar1]

Should've left s#it law and jumped the day after they made you an offer.

[spud3000]

So clearly the partner who "stole" your offer doesn't have a book to bring with her sufficient to support you? Also, who is to say that the prospective firm didn't bring up the idea of your mentor joining them? I wouldn't take this on pure contingency... Ask for your job back. Maybe they will understand.

[alphagamma]

Have you asked your mentor to tell the other firm that she'd like to bring you along?

[cfcm]

I'm sorry, that's really terrible.

This isn't material to the story, but do you think the biglaw firm is lying about losing the client?