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Has anyone used partners at their firm as a resource to help go in-house? I’ve considered it, but seems like it would be suicide for the remainder of my time at the firm (which could be a while) as they’ll know I’m looking to leave and be hesitant to staff me. Has anyone pulled this off successfully?

I know a lot of people who have done this successfully, but you need do approach the right people in the right way. You should approach first partners who you have worked for who are big rainmakers/business getters. Talk to other associates you have known who went in house and see who the best folks to approach are. Then go to them and say that you are thinking about your career, you want to potentially explore in-house opportunities, and if they know anyone who is looking to let you know.

Partners want to place you in-house, since that means you are now working for clients.

As for not getting staffed, depends on how busy the firm is and what you are looking to do. An in-house job search can take six months or more. That’s a long time for you to be sitting around not doing anything. The partners know that and will plan accordingly - if you an associate who does good work and is well-respected they will keep giving you stuff to do.