Another lateral regret Forum

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Another lateral regret

Post by Anonymous User » Wed Jul 10, 2019 11:33 pm

I’ve been at my firm for 3 months now and I have just about had it. I left my last job to switch markets and I ended up at a boutique known for good QOL. Thing is, that isn’t the case. I’m usually in the office from 8 am to 10 pm and have worked most weekends. Plus, my new firm doesn’t pay market (although it’s close).

I wasn’t at my last firm that long either (a little under 2 years). Has anyone been able to lateral quickly? I’d like to stay in my current market, but not sure if that’s possible given the bridges I will definitely be burning.

I don’t care about partnership or whatever at this point. I am just wondering if a firm will even consider me. 3 jobs in a little over 2 years sounds crazy.

My friend said that some firms will view me as a flight risk and won’t even consider me. I’m not sure how to spin my story. Could I just say it was a bad fit and I need to leave ASAP?

Sorry for rambling. Just very lost.

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LaLiLuLeLo

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by LaLiLuLeLo » Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:58 am

Yes, you will be considered if you fit the criteria or whatever a firm is looking for. People really overblow “flight risk” here. Saying it wasn’t a good fit a good a reason as any.

gregfootball2001

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by gregfootball2001 » Thu Jul 11, 2019 9:26 am

Anonymous User wrote:I’ve been at my firm for 3 months now and I have just about had it. I left my last job to switch markets and I ended up at a boutique known for good QOL. Thing is, that isn’t the case. I’m usually in the office from 8 am to 10 pm and have worked most weekends. Plus, my new firm doesn’t pay market (although it’s close).

I wasn’t at my last firm that long either (a little under 2 years). Has anyone been able to lateral quickly? I’d like to stay in my current market, but not sure if that’s possible given the bridges I will definitely be burning.

I don’t care about partnership or whatever at this point. I am just wondering if a firm will even consider me. 3 jobs in a little over 2 years sounds crazy.

My friend said that some firms will view me as a flight risk and won’t even consider me. I’m not sure how to spin my story. Could I just say it was a bad fit and I need to leave ASAP?

Sorry for rambling. Just very lost.
Can't hurt to try. "Fit" is a reasonable answer, and it's a good market. Associates move around, it happens.

Out of curiosity, were you told the typical working hours/amount of hours billed before you went there? Was what you were told just not true, or was it vague?

objctnyrhnr

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by objctnyrhnr » Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:10 am

As a general point, I find (from what I’ve heard anecdotally) that the advantages relative to disadvantages of going to relatively high paying, boutiques area often a bit overblown. I mean it seems like most people get to the boutique and say they’re maybe working the same or slightly less and making considerably less than biglaw.

To the extent that one moves with the primary goal of improving QOL, I wouldn’t commit to a new firm unless and until you’ve learned from at least one, if not multiple, alums (cause they’ll give it to you straight) that the boutique really is a QOL improvement over biglaw.

And remember there are also some unicorn biglaw practice groups with solid QOL. Do a little research on LinkedIn, your schools CSO, or even cold emails before you make the next jump.

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UnfrozenCaveman

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by UnfrozenCaveman » Thu Jul 11, 2019 11:16 am

Is your current firm actively looking for more laterals? Might lighten the load soon, but probably wouldn't count on it.

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Anonymous User
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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by Anonymous User » Thu Jul 11, 2019 1:18 pm

OP here

The reason I think Firms would be more concerned about my flight risk is that I left my first firm at 1 year. So I’m barely a mid level and am already on my third firm.

As for others, this firm is generally known to be a good QOL place. The firm pays close to market (90% at all levels, I believe) and near-market bonuses, so it’s not some rinky dink boutique with insane salary compression. Traditionally, I think the firm really tried to keep associates below the 2000 hour mark (1700-1800 min billable). However, I’ve heard that, probably due to the hot market, a lot of associates have left, making QOL really difficult.

I know that in my practice, in the market I’m in, associates have been slammed. On top of the negativity, I think I am not as interested in the work as I would be at a larger firm (like the one I just left). So I think it’s two-pronged. I hate it here and the work just isn’t good enough to keep me here.

Again, sorry for rambling.

Thanks for the comments. I may try to apply to places soon. Won’t use a recruiter to increase my chances.

texas1100

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by texas1100 » Thu Jul 11, 2019 4:56 pm

I'd take a big vacation and then try to hunker down the remaining nine months, which may become even more doable if you take extended vacations around the holidays. I would just use and abuse vacation time to last a year, because I agree, that many firms in two years looks bad.

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by Anonymous User » Thu Jul 11, 2019 5:32 pm

texas1100 wrote:I'd take a big vacation and then try to hunker down the remaining nine months, which may become even more doable if you take extended vacations around the holidays. I would just use and abuse vacation time to last a year, because I agree, that many firms in two years looks bad.
OP here. I think you’re right. I will try to stick it out a year. Even the thought of interviewing with only 3 months of experience makes me cringe. A year is at least respectable.

QContinuum

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by QContinuum » Thu Jul 11, 2019 7:31 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
texas1100 wrote:I'd take a big vacation and then try to hunker down the remaining nine months, which may become even more doable if you take extended vacations around the holidays. I would just use and abuse vacation time to last a year, because I agree, that many firms in two years looks bad.
OP here. I think you’re right. I will try to stick it out a year. Even the thought of interviewing with only 3 months of experience makes me cringe. A year is at least respectable.
Seconding the Texan. Generally, absent egregiously abusive behavior, sticking out a year is TCR here. Sounds like you have a solid plan!

Also, it's not impossible things will get better. Who knows? There're often some teething issues when first starting a new job. The workload may lighten up and/or they may get additional laterals in.

gregfootball2001

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Re: Another lateral regret

Post by gregfootball2001 » Fri Jul 12, 2019 9:53 am

Anonymous User wrote:
texas1100 wrote:I'd take a big vacation and then try to hunker down the remaining nine months, which may become even more doable if you take extended vacations around the holidays. I would just use and abuse vacation time to last a year, because I agree, that many firms in two years looks bad.
OP here. I think you’re right. I will try to stick it out a year. Even the thought of interviewing with only 3 months of experience makes me cringe. A year is at least respectable.
Also, honestly, if you're going to leave in a year (or less) anyway, just say no to stuff. "Sorry, I'm swamped." Set boundaries. You'll be happier, and they may just accept it anyway. From a partner's point of view, if you're doing all the work, why hire another person? But if the work isn't getting done (or they have to do more than they want), that's when people get hired.

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