Lateral Integration Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anybody have tips/stories on integrating as a lateral associate? Recently made a firm and practice group switch and it's been so painful.

[Yugihoe]

What's your story? Why is it painful?

[Anonymous User]

Well, I'm a midlevel and moved from a specialty group to one of the larger, more traditional transactional groups (figured it'd make me more marketable down the line, plus prestige). I didn't take a class year cut, though, so now I have to learn all the substantive intricacies of the new group (probably one of the most technical, as has been discussed on this board) with the expectation that I'll be able to catch up with the native associates my year. So, basically, I'm kind of treated as a junior again but have to deal with the competitiveness of the other associates. The partners are nice/patient/whatever, but it's just such a pain to go back to the point where I'm not included on all of the calls, etc. Add in the overall aspie-ness of the group, and I start to doubt my choice every day ...

[Anonymous User]

Interested to hear more of your story, OP. I am considering making a similar move, albeit as a junior (switching practice groups from specialty to general corp, moving from a bigger to a smaller firm to do so). Are you still happy that you are getting the more general transactional experience?

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Overall I don't regret it yet, but I am a typical NY prestige whore and like to remind myself that I would have given my proverbial left nut for this job years ago. I do think that the more generalized skillset is valuable, though. It's just hard adjusting when I proved myself at the old firm and basically ran deals, whereas now I know like nothing again and have to wait for work to trickle down from senior associates. Humble pie, etc.

[Anonymous User]

I had same problem. I went from running litigation and handling partners clients to a having my work product scrutinzed (ok), having my legal judgment questioned by at least one partner, not being copied on emails to clients and opposing counsel by another set of partners and one partner claiming I committed malpractice by not consulting her before advising a client. I’m a junior to mid level.