3rd yr associate (should be 5th year but took deduction) at an elite boutique (on par with AmLaw 100s). In the past year, a ton of associates at our firm (about 1/3, double digits) have left the firm.
I'm deeply unhappy with management and have very little faith in the partnership.
However, I have a great mentor and advocate at the firm and so far have stayed to work with this person. He's fairly influential at the firm.
I feel a bit stifled by my inability to work with more than 2-3 partners due to the fact that I'm in a satellite office. Should I lateral and try my luck at a new firm while learning more skills, or should I stay so I can maintain my relationship with an influential mentor?
While my firm is decently reputable, I think I'd have a better shot at an in house gig if I lateralled to an AmLaw 100 firm. However, I think I have a better chance at partnership if I stay in my boutique and continue to work for my mentor (though of course, given my low class year, anything could happen down the road).
Any thoughts welcome/appreciated.
Should I lateral away? Forum
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2013
- Posts: 931
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:29 am
Re: Should I lateral away?
Are you at an elite boutique or at some random midsize non-AmLaw firm’s satellite office? I’m confused. I don’t think it can be both and the answer differs based on which it is.
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jkpolk
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Re: Should I lateral away?
I'd ignore firm politics and pretend like you work at a two partner shop. Seen in that way, your situation seems pretty solid. If you have a close relationship with the partner maybe discuss - "<3 you, hate management - how do we make this sustainable" is not an impossible conversation. At some point you could also ask for a class year bump (since you have the experience to deserve it): easy give for the firm, easy way for you to feel like you're getting something out of sticking around.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Should I lateral away?
OP here. My firm is an elite boutique insomuch as nearly everyone who lateraled away this year went to a V100 (a number to V50s and even V15s). Call it whatever you want - elite boutique or "random midsize non-AmLaw firm."2013 wrote:Are you at an elite boutique or at some random midsize non-AmLaw firm’s satellite office? I’m confused. I don’t think it can be both and the answer differs based on which it is.
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hdivschool
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:41 pm
Re: Should I lateral away?
How long is the partnership track? Several years is a long time--if things are bad, your mentor might leave. Would your mentor take you with?
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