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I'm a 3L headed to California. I had personal reasons for summering there. I no longer have good reason for going to CA, and I'm having thoughts about whether I want to go to NYC instead since I like the city, and I frankly don't have a strong attachment to the West Coast. I'm going to a Vault 5 firm to do corporate work in LA.

How hard is it to lateral to a NY office? Is there anyone here who has done that? I know CA is a tougher market generally, but I'm wondering if that is just a barrier to entry or if lateraling into good firms in NYC is also easier/doable with good work experience at a comparable West Coast office. I'm thinking of moving east in a year or two.

borealia wrote:I'm a 3L headed to California. I had personal reasons for summering there. I no longer have good reason for going to CA, and I'm having thoughts about whether I want to go to NYC instead since I like the city, and I frankly don't have a strong attachment to the West Coast. I'm going to a Vault 5 firm to do corporate work in LA.

How hard is it to lateral to a NY office? Is there anyone here who has done that? I know CA is a tougher market generally, but I'm wondering if that is just a barrier to entry or if lateraling into good firms in NYC is also easier/doable with good work experience at a comparable West Coast office. I'm thinking of moving east in a year or two.

First, have you considered asking to start as a first-year associate in the firm's NY office? Just ask HR nicely and they'll take it up to management (CA and NY might both have to agree). Or, if, in a couple years, I'm sure they'd be happy to move you from CA to NY if you explain that you'd otherwise be looking to leave.

Also, as long as the corporate work you're planning on doing is similar to the work NY offices do, I think you'll be fine lateraling in a few years.

I know it's not answering your question about lateralling, but another consideration--do you really want to take the California bar and then have to figure out either waiving in or taking the bar again for NY? The above suggestion to talk to your HR might be the right approach (I know someone who had to ask for a transfer from east to west before starting). Food for thought...

Just moved from CA to NY and took both the CA bar and the NY bar back to back because CA doesn’t do UBE so you can’t waive in. Definitely not fun, and takes a lot of time and effort. I’d consider the advice others have provided above.

A V5 office in LA means either Skadden or SullCrom, and both allow moves to their NY office pretty much without hesitation. Just ask.