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I assume firms are pretty serious about recouping these if you leave before the lockup period expires. Just looking for someone to give me foolish hope.

I'm not sure what you're asking or your circumstances but I'd look closely at your offer letter.

I'm a recent biglaw lateral, PM me if you'd prefer to chat there

OP here - I have to stay 12 months otherwise I repay moving costs and signing bonus. Just wondering if firms are serious about enforcing this or not - I assume they are.

Definitely firm specific, and unfortunately (and obviously) this does not fall into the category of items to just check with recruiting on. Some firms just want the ability to recoup costs but are more concerned their image w/r/t exiting associates. Others draw a hard line and claw back even in the last month. For reference I did an office transfer with relocation costs paid for by the firm and had to agree to repay the costs if I left within a year (I requested the move and it was international with quite a bit of furniture). Left the firm about 6 months later and was never asked to repay any of the moving expenses.

If you have a lateral offer I would suggest asking your new firm to pick up any of these amounts when negotiating bonus/start date/etc. I know of folks who have successfully had their new firms cover these costs (in some cases on top of guaranteed bonus and starting bonus).

Anonymous User wrote:OP here - I have to stay 12 months otherwise I repay moving costs and signing bonus. Just wondering if firms are serious about enforcing this or not - I assume they are.

If you leave before then, the yeah probably. If they let you go before then, probably no.