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I am potentially moving several states away to be an associate at a satellite office of a locally based firm. This particular office specializes in a field I'm interested in, hence the move.

My question is whether firms usually offer relocation/moving costs as part of the employment package. If it isn't mentioned in an offer, because most of their hiring is done in-state, would it be rude or problematic to ask? I'd of course be polite about it, but wondering if it's an offensive question to begin with.

In a similar vein, do firms ever pay bar fees or bar prep course costs for incoming associates, and is this a crazy thing to ask about? My gut says this is more of a reach than relocation costs, and potentially not a good ask if they don't offer.

Thoughts?

theswisswereright wrote:I am potentially moving several states away to be an associate at a satellite office of a locally based firm. This particular office specializes in a field I'm interested in, hence the move.

My question is whether firms usually offer relocation/moving costs as part of the employment package. If it isn't mentioned in an offer, because most of their hiring is done in-state, would it be rude or problematic to ask? I'd of course be polite about it, but wondering if it's an offensive question to begin with.

In a similar vein, do firms ever pay bar fees or bar prep course costs for incoming associates, and is this a crazy thing to ask about? My gut says this is more of a reach than relocation costs, and potentially not a good ask if they don't offer.

Thoughts?

I don't think it hurts to ask HR. At worst, they tell you no - it's hardly an offensive question to ask, given how common these benefits are. Don't bother any of the lawyers; they'll redirect you to HR anyway, as they almost certainly won't know what the firm's current policies are.

QContinuum wrote:

theswisswereright wrote:I am potentially moving several states away to be an associate at a satellite office of a locally based firm. This particular office specializes in a field I'm interested in, hence the move.

My question is whether firms usually offer relocation/moving costs as part of the employment package. If it isn't mentioned in an offer, because most of their hiring is done in-state, would it be rude or problematic to ask? I'd of course be polite about it, but wondering if it's an offensive question to begin with.

In a similar vein, do firms ever pay bar fees or bar prep course costs for incoming associates, and is this a crazy thing to ask about? My gut says this is more of a reach than relocation costs, and potentially not a good ask if they don't offer.

Thoughts?

I don't think it hurts to ask HR. At worst, they tell you no - it's hardly an offensive question to ask, given how common these benefits are. Don't bother any of the lawyers; they'll redirect you to HR anyway, as they almost certainly won't know what the firm's current policies are.

To clarify-- in your opinion, both relocation and bar fees/bar prep are common benefits at firms? I want to be sure I don't sound like I'm coming out of left field if/when I speak to HR about it.

theswisswereright wrote:

QContinuum wrote:

theswisswereright wrote:I am potentially moving several states away to be an associate at a satellite office of a locally based firm. This particular office specializes in a field I'm interested in, hence the move.

My question is whether firms usually offer relocation/moving costs as part of the employment package. If it isn't mentioned in an offer, because most of their hiring is done in-state, would it be rude or problematic to ask? I'd of course be polite about it, but wondering if it's an offensive question to begin with.

In a similar vein, do firms ever pay bar fees or bar prep course costs for incoming associates, and is this a crazy thing to ask about? My gut says this is more of a reach than relocation costs, and potentially not a good ask if they don't offer.

Thoughts?

I don't think it hurts to ask HR. At worst, they tell you no - it's hardly an offensive question to ask, given how common these benefits are. Don't bother any of the lawyers; they'll redirect you to HR anyway, as they almost certainly won't know what the firm's current policies are.

To clarify-- in your opinion, both relocation and bar fees/bar prep are common benefits at firms? I want to be sure I don't sound like I'm coming out of left field if/when I speak to HR about it.

Yes, they are common benefits at large law firms. I don't think the question is unreasonable.