Requesting Office Transfer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am a junior in biglaw and want to request an office transfer to my firm's NYC office. (Firm HQ is not NYC and I currently work at firm HQ; non-compelling reason other than my current market does not fit my lifestyle, and I've lived in NYC before and know that's where I want to live long-term.) I'm still straddling practice groups at my firm, but will likely end up doing a bit of capital markets/securities and M&A. I'm not totally sure if there is room at our NYC office for people doing that kind of work and am not sure how to go about putting out feelers for that kind of info. I don't work with enough/work closely enough with people in our NYC office to get a sense of this or to have a partner back me up when I request the transfer.

For people who requested an office transfer, what was your timing and what were the procedures/steps you followed to make the request? Did you run into any hurdles?

I'm mostly concerned about accidentally burning bridges or making people feel betrayed/miffed if I suddenly leave, albeit for just a different office at the same firm.

[Anonymous User]

I am in the same boat as you were, and I am wondering about the best way to go about this. Did you have any luck? Any advice?

[2013]

Given the current state of things, it may be better to hold off until everything settles before putting out feelers. You don’t want to give your firm any reason to let you go.

[Anonymous User]

Given the current state of things, it may be better to hold off until everything settles before putting out feelers. You don’t want to give your firm any reason to let you go.

I understand and agree. I have already held off for a couple weeks since the pandemic began - very inconvenient timing. I will probably hold off a little while longer but not much longer.

[FedFan123]

Well you’re probably the only person in the world actively trying to move to New York City at the moment...

[2013]

Given the current state of things, it may be better to hold off until everything settles before putting out feelers. You don’t want to give your firm any reason to let you go.

I understand and agree. I have already held off for a couple weeks since the pandemic began - very inconvenient timing. I will probably hold off a little while longer but not much longer.

Do you have some capacity for more work? Actively reach out to NY partners and maybe they’ll feed you work. This may help with the request when it happens.

[RedGiant]

Given the current state of things, it may be better to hold off until everything settles before putting out feelers. You don’t want to give your firm any reason to let you go.

^^^This. I worked on a hallway of laterals at Latham. And they were all fired, one by one, during 2009, some stealth, some not. Some never even really got staffed up and then just got fired for low hours. Partners don't go to bat for new associates. They circle the offers with the associates they know will do the best work and need the least training.

Don't be a new associate in your office in this environment. Even if you hate your life...wait 6-9 months. Much safer. Truly.