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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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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?