Lateraling and Likely Burning Bridge - Need Advice Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm looking for general advice/thoughts here.

My situation:
-mid-level associate in a smaller group (e.g., environmental / employment law / natural resources) at a midsize firm (between AmLaw 100-200)
- been at firm less than a year (I lateraled in)
- received offer for more general practice (e.g., corp / comm lit) at a V20, but will be taking substantial class hit
- want to get out of my practice area, but because it is a small group, leaving will hurt them (in fact, they are bitter about a previous associate who left after 2 years)

When giving notice, I am trying to decide between being apologetic or being vague and unapologetic. For example:
-vague: "I don't think this is a good fit. Thank you for the opportunity."
-apologetic: "I wasn't expecting or seeking any other opportunities [which is true], but I received an offer I can't say no to, and I am going to take it."

Either way, I don't intend on telling them where I am going.

No matter what, they will be pissed at me, possibly hostile. Any thoughts/advice on my approach to giving notice, how to deal with burning a bridge at a large-ish firm, or my situation generally?

[nealric]

I'd be as polite as possible. You don't need to apologize for yourself, but there's also no reason to be overly curt. They will figure out where you are going eventually if they really care to.

Perhaps they will be bitter, but high turnover in any position usually says more about the employer than the employees. Doubt they will be anything but polite to your face.

Finally, if you do think there's a chance your departure will be met with hostility, don't announce your departure until conflicts have cleared with the new firm and you have everything lined up. There's a possibility you will be marched out the door immediately, so it's not a bad idea to quietly take personal effects home in advance.

[Anonymous User]

I agree with being polite. There’s no need to be apologetic, though, and you might be surprised at the reaction you receive. I left a firm after 10 months (I was a lateral) and while I expected some serious blowback, the regional managing partner extended an offer should I ever want to come back and spoke highly of my work. I wouldn’t plan on giving more than two-weeks notice, though. At that same firm, an associate was told to leave a few days after announcing he was going to a competitor firm. I gave two-weeks and had no issues.

[Anonymous User]

Piggybacking, I am 3rd year at an Amlaw 100-200 firm, also in a small group and am also about to give notice that I'm making a move. I'll be moving across the country to be closer to family where my wife and I grew up. When my current firm hired me out of law school, this was a big concern that came up in interviews (that I would leave after a year or 2 to move back home). I tried to sell my long term commitment to the area, but just couldn't make it work after a couple years of trying, especially after having a baby. I feel a bit guilty, especially when I know this is going to make it hard for my team in the short term. Has anyone gone through anything similar?

[Anonymous User]

I'm about to do this, and agree with the first anon. You have to do what's best for you and yours, and your firm should respect that. If they don't, then it's good that you're getting out of there.

[Anonymous User]

My fact pattern wasn't exactly the same, but I've basically done this (came to a firm as a lateral and left after less than a year for a better opportunity). It's more common than you might think. I thought people would be upset, but they were generally courteous about it. It was biglaw and not a midsize firm, so I don't know if that may have affected the partners' reaction -- they probably found someone to fill my shoes pretty quickly. In your case, they might be less than gracious when you tell them, but my guess is they will get over it sooner than you might think. I don't think it really matters one way or the other if you tell them where you're going, but you could tell them you've always wanted to work in XYZ practice area and the V20 firm is giving you such a great opportunity to do that type of work that you don't feel you can turn it down, and it might soften the blow a bit.

[Anonymous User]

OP anon here. Thx for responses.

Likewise, I represented I intended to be here for the long haul, and it was true at the time—kind of had an unexpected opportunity.

I fully expect to be asked to leave immediately. My concern is that, while I don’t personally have any issues with anyone in my group, there are certain ppl whom I’ve seen be quite petty, and I am worried about the chance, even if unlikely, they might try to cause problems for me if I tell them where I’m going.

[shock259]

I was surprised when I lateraled that people were very friendly and cordial to me. I was bracing for the worst, but everyone was understanding. It's not personal, and most people can realize that. And most people also realize that plans change (IE, just because you told them you wanted to stay long-term and you didn't end up staying long term doesn't mean you lied).

[Anonymous User]

Piggybacking, I am 3rd year at an Amlaw 100-200 firm, also in a small group and am also about to give notice that I'm making a move. I'll be moving across the country to be closer to family where my wife and I grew up. When my current firm hired me out of law school, this was a big concern that came up in interviews (that I would leave after a year or 2 to move back home). I tried to sell my long term commitment to the area, but just couldn't make it work after a couple years of trying, especially after having a baby. I feel a bit guilty, especially when I know this is going to make it hard for my team in the short term. Has anyone gone through anything similar?

You're a third year, so you've already been there longer than the year or two. Not only have you tried to make it work but people leave as third years even when they aren't making a geographical move, so it shouldn't make any difference that you just so happen to be moving back when you represented to them that you were committed to the area. In short, I think people will understand. If they don't, that's their problem.