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I'll be declining a return offer from my 2L summer firm (also did a 1L SA there) to move to my SO's market, where I have an offer from a different firm. Given the two summers I've spent with this firm, I'm thinking a call would probably be more appropriate than an email. I assume I should call the hiring partner who gave me my offer letter at the end of the summer, but should I also call recruiting or would it be ok to send an email? I also obviously made a lot of connections with people over my two summers there. Would I need to individually reach out to multiple people to explain my decision? I'm honestly kind of struggling with doing this as delicately as possible. The people were amazing and I loved my experience there, and they obviously spent a lot of time and money recruiting me. I also think they'll be a little blindsided since I accepted an offer to return after my 1L summer and didn't give them any indication that I was considering moving (it's been a recent development).

I only emailed the partners and seniors I worked closely with and I am still in fantasy leagues with half of them so I really don’t think it’s a big deal.

People only get pissed about this sort of thing if you don’t give them time to find a replacement. They got like 10 months to replace you. Chances are they already got capable candidates via mass mailing, 3L OCI, or internal transfers.

You should call the hiring partner. No need to explain why you're declining the offer to anyone else, unless you are trying to stay real friends with select others at the firm (then maybe a text / call is appropriate). My advice:

- say that you really appreciate the experience you gained during your summers
- stress that you are not running from the firm for any reason, and that you love the people
- if true, state how few other firms you interviewed with (e.g., I didn't shop around in the same market)
- explain that you are moving to a different market because of your SO, and at the end of the day family is your highest priority
- mention that should you ever return to this firm's market, it is the first place you would look to work
- wish the firm well and try to keep it on good terms so that you can return later if/when things change

Good luck and congrats!

Thank you both, very reassuring.

trmckenz wrote:You should call the hiring partner. No need to explain why you're declining the offer to anyone else, unless you are trying to stay real friends with select others at the firm (then maybe a text / call is appropriate). My advice:

- say that you really appreciate the experience you gained during your summers
- stress that you are not running from the firm for any reason, and that you love the people
- if true, state how few other firms you interviewed with (e.g., I didn't shop around in the same market)
- explain that you are moving to a different market because of your SO, and at the end of the day family is your highest priority
- mention that should you ever return to this firm's market, it is the first place you would look to work
- wish the firm well and try to keep it on good terms so that you can return later if/when things change

Good luck and congrats!

This is super helpful! Thanks a lot.