Lateral - Partner References Forum

[Anonymous User]

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I'm a lateral second-year candidate who has been extended an offer at V10 and has cleared conflicts. I've provided preliminary references and the firm requested a reference from my current firm. I work in a large but non-NYC market, and my group is relatively small (corporate).

I provided a senior associate as a reference who worked with me on several matters, but, despite asking for one or more references, the recruiting coordinator is now requesting a partner reference. They have not called my associate reference (we are friends and he would tell me). Given the size of the group, I'd like to minimize my exposure to partner references. I've already turned down my other offers and I do not think any of the partners will be happy enough about me leaving for me to feel comfortable requesting a reference from them.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to handle? I've noted to the firm that I haven't really worked closely with any of the partners...

[lawhopeful100]

You know your partners best, but I think it’s unlikely they would talk bad about you when asked. I just lateralled and used a senior associate and a partner as a reference. I found out from the partners that our firm has a policy of not speaking about the quality of an associate. The partner was still able to tell the recruiting coordinator that I was leaving on my own accord and wasn’t getting fired essentially which seemed to be the most important thing. I was nervous putting my two weeks in thinking the partners would also be mad, but they were really cool about it. Even if they are mad deep down, these people are professionals and have the tact to be nice publicly.

[Anonymous User]

I don't think our firm has a reputation for tact .

Do you think it would be acceptable to provide a partner who recently left to go in house (1.5 weeks ago)?

[lawhopeful100]

I don't think our firm has a reputation for tact .

Do you think it would be acceptable to provide a partner who recently left to go in house (1.5 weeks ago)?

Yea I don’t see why that wouldn’t be fine.

[Anonymous User]

A bit off topic, but how long did it take you to clear the conflicts process? Also a second year in a similar position with conflicts being the long pole holding up the process.

To your question (although I'm sure you're through the background check process by now), I provided the contact information of the partner I had worked most recently with because I figured he would be in the best position to comment on my status at my firm.

[Anonymous User]

Am considering lateraling. What do they ask the reference person? Do they only ask about your status at the firm (i.e., whether you actually work there or not) or do they ask other questions as well? Does this process typically happen before or after you accept the offer?

[Anonymous User]

Is it common for firms to ask for references? I’m in the process now and I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking anyone in my group for a reference after I told them I was leaving (especially because they might mention my low-ish hours YTD).

I thought most V50 firms don’t really care about references from employers because they’re essentially useless

[Guchster]

Is it common for firms to ask for references? I’m in the process now and I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking anyone in my group for a reference after I told them I was leaving (especially because they might mention my low-ish hours YTD).

I thought most V50 firms don’t really care about references from employers because they’re essentially useless

I think it's fairly common to have to list/ask for references, but firms vary on whether they actually care/check them. I've had 2 people list me as a reference and was never contacted by anyone.

When I lateralled, HR contacted one of my references and only asked box checking questions (if I worked with them and for how long).

But obviously there are a couple well known firms out there that notoriously heavily scrutinize references so just make sure you do your research on that.

I've used references that had already left the firm that I was leaving (and the 2 people who asked me to serve as their reference asked me after I had left their firm), so if you need them, maybe you can think of someone you worked with that has moved on to greener pastures? Mentors make good references too.

[shock259]

Is it common for firms to ask for references? I’m in the process now and I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking anyone in my group for a reference after I told them I was leaving (especially because they might mention my low-ish hours YTD).

I thought most V50 firms don’t really care about references from employers because they’re essentially useless

Definitely varies. Many don't care but some do. I agree that they are totally worthless and can be a huge headache for the person leaving. That said, every time I have had to give them a list, I have been able to insist that they do not call the references until conflicts have cleared and everything is a "go". And then I just privately approached both of those people that morning, told them, and get the offer that afternoon that I accepted.