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A partner wants me to follow him to his new firm. I’m considering it, but considering the process won’t be done until we’re almost halfway through the year, I have concerns about my bonus. I’m a 3rd year coming from a firm with (truly) no hours requirement for bonus. Everyone gets a bonus. New firm has an hours requirement, and given some planned vacations, I’m pretty certain I won’t hit even a reduced hours requirement. I’ll only go if I can get my full bonus guaranteed. I know others that have done this (and some surprisingly late in the year) but they were more senior. Is this a totally wacky, unreasonable ask? I figure I’m not using a recruiter, don’t have to take a new bar exam, etc. so on the whole it’s not terribly expensive compared to other laterals but not sure.

Just tagging as I'm interested in hearing responses.

Not an unreasonable ask at all. Recruiter fees are higher than a year-end bonus for a 3rd year associate, and in this instance the firm is getting a known commodity, given the partner has worked with you and specifically wants you to come over.

Talk with your partner - he/she should be able to look out for you (and maybe even get you a signing bonus in addition to the guaranteed market year-end bonus).

Yeah, this doesn't seem unreasonable to me at all. I've known a few folks that have successfully negotiated with a partner trying to bring them over, including someone getting their bonus paid out as a signing bonus. You've got more leverage than a normal lateral so they should be willing and able to work with you, and I imagine the partner will want to look out for you. If they really need you (say, its a niche practice area and the partner doesn't have other junior/midlevels trained), I've heard of some very good signing bonuses.

Thoughts on a signing bonus? Negotiate?

Anonymous User wrote:Thoughts on a signing bonus? Negotiate?

You have no reason not to ask. Because you are coming from a firm that pays your bonus regardless, you should at a minimum get that guaranteed from your new firm to make this move. I would definitely ask for a singing bonus in addition.

Totally typical to request it as a signing bonus or a guaranteed annual bonus regardless of hours. I've been in the same situation and know others who have too.

Op here. Any idea of what’s a reasonable ask for a signing bonus?

Op here. Bump for thoughts and to complain how long this is taking. I cleared conflicts a couple weeks ago, been having discussions for a while and still no offer letter. I want to give notice

Bumping, as I'm curious what OP ended up with bonus-wise, if anything.

OP here - full annual bonus with no hours requirement and a small signing bonus.