I recently lateraled. I came with a partner.
With the move, they relocated to a different office, as did I. So, we don’t see each other. I’m running into a problem where the partners in the office I’m in seem to be under the impression I’d be doing more work for them. But, with the work from the partner I came with, I’m fairly busy. Between the partner and the work I get from the people in my office, I’m very busy, no lateral ramp up for me, unfortunately.
But, the partners are grumbling. I don’t turn down work but I’m not shy about saying how busy I am and I’m regularly the last person in the office. I think they were under the impression I’d be doing more work for them since they have a need. Worse, as far as the organizational things go, they are my reviewers and supervisors - NOT the partner I came with (no idea why this happened). They regularly ask me “off the record” if I’m happy working for my partner. I don’t love the work I get from them but I have a great relationship and they are a great boss.
There are other things, too. My partner encourages me to work from home and travel whereas people in my office do not do that. I kind of want to start just taking every other Friday and work from home but again, the people in my office are my technical supervisors.
I don’t really care about long term prospects. I’m not long for the biglaw world and have already stayed way longer than I anticipated. Should I just stop giving a fuck, turn down work, work from home, and hope my partner shields me from any flak?
Dealing with partner politics as a lateral Forum
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Anonymous User
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jarofsoup
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Re: Dealing with partner politics as a lateral
Can you seek advice from your partner??
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thenewyorker
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Re: Dealing with partner politics as a lateral
Do you mean that you and the partner were in the same office at your old firm (e.g., both in D.C.), and then when you lateraled you went to different offices (e.g., one of you went to D.C. and the other to Chicago)? Or were you both in different offices at your prior firm? If the latter, how was worked assigned at the first firm? Did you work primarily for this partner?
Assuming your partner told you that you would be working exclusively (or even primarily) for them after lateraling, I would discuss this with your partner. Based on the information you've provided, however, it sounds like your partner told the new firm that you would be available to work for everyone.
Assuming your partner told you that you would be working exclusively (or even primarily) for them after lateraling, I would discuss this with your partner. Based on the information you've provided, however, it sounds like your partner told the new firm that you would be available to work for everyone.
