Firm Refuses/Keeps Forgetting to Reimburse Callback

[OutoftheWoods]

I interviewed for a lateral associate position at a big law firm back in April. Submitted my NALP reimbursement forms on time (to tune of $600). Basically I have emailed the local recruiter every month or so after waiting 3 months to be paid back. Keep getting “will send it out soon, sorry.” It’s been about 3 of those emails already. What do I do? Is this something I can take up with NALP? I assume that firms agree to NALPs rules includes reimbursement, so maybe that’s what I do.

I understand there are more important things on recruiters mind than one reimbursement. Which is why I was patient at first, and have tried not to check in more than once a month. But at this point I feel like I won’t be paid back unless I go to NALP or file a small claims suit lol. At my wit’s end here. No way I’m eating a loss on $600.

[2013]

I’ve never used NALP for lateral stuff. I always thought those rules applied to entry level hiring.

Have you considered reaching out to the head of recruiting instead of the middleman that you’ve been dealing with from the local office? I’d probably reach out to them before trying to get NALP or any other outside entity involved.

The head of recruiting/lateral recruiting is usually posted on the careers page.

[OutoftheWoods]

I’ve never used NALP for lateral stuff. I always thought those rules applied to entry level hiring.

Have you considered reaching out to the head of recruiting instead of the middleman that you’ve been dealing with from the local office? I’d probably reach out to them before trying to get NALP or any other outside entity involved.

The head of recruiting/lateral recruiting is usually posted on the careers page.

The head of recruiting has been cc'd on every email, so I thought they would have stepped in by now, but looks like I have to make that explicit. Hopefully that will solve it!

[Fingerscrossed11]

I have had the same experience for entry level hiring! So frustrating it has also been more than 3 months for me. I wonder if there is a way for firms to be held accountable for this (other than small claims court which is impractical)

[QContinuum]

First, to be clear, let me say that I would absolutely not let go of a promised reimbursement.

That said, the allusions ITT to suing the firm are way over the top, IMO. Suing a (potential) employer, in practice, is likely to have major ramifications for one's career (fairly or unfairly - I think unfairly, but I don't make the rules). There are scenarios where it may be worth it, but a $600 reimbursement is not one of them.

I'd reach out to the head of recruiting directly, maybe via a phone call. And then just keep pestering them. It sounds like they accept they owe you the $600, they just haven't made processing it a priority.

[Fingerscrossed11]

First, to be clear, let me say that I would absolutely not let go of a promised reimbursement.

That said, the allusions ITT to suing the firm are way over the top, IMO. Suing a (potential) employer, in practice, is likely to have major ramifications for one's career (fairly or unfairly - I think unfairly, but I don't make the rules). There are scenarios where it may be worth it, but a $600 reimbursement is not one of them.

I'd reach out to the head of recruiting directly, maybe via a phone call. And then just keep pestering them. It sounds like they accept they owe you the $600, they just haven't made processing it a priority.

Don't get me wrong--I was definitely NOT suggesting small claims court. I was saying it was impractical exactly for those reasons but it's the only other option beyond speaking with the firm, and it's not a good one. Was wondering if there was something less serious that was an option when the firm doesn't respond. In my case, I have emailed every few weeks and called the head of recruiting. It's very frustrating.

[shock259]

Just keep following up. Or find new people to email. And start calling as well. I'm sure they'll eventually pay it.

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Alerting the forum to the name of the firm could help others at least avoid this situation.

[nixy]

You think people who need jobs aren’t going to apply to this firm because they’ve been slow to reimburse the OP?

[UnfrozenCaveman]

You think people who need jobs aren’t going to apply to this firm because they’ve been slow to reimburse the OP?

Yes--that is exactly what I meant.

Or, you know, if there are other options, you can avoid requiring reimbursement directly from the firm.

[nixy]

That seems a sort of apocalyptic response, but you do you.

[QContinuum]

That seems a sort of apocalyptic response, but you do you.

Back in the day I interviewed at firms that expressly told me they would not reimburse travel expenses. I still sucked it up and went.

No way folks will stop applying to the firm in question merely because they're - gasp - slow at processing a reimbursement. Many firms are pretty slow about processing these reimbursements.

[nixy]

You think people who need jobs aren’t going to apply to this firm because they’ve been slow to reimburse the OP?

Yes--that is exactly what I meant.

Or, you know, if there are other options, you can avoid requiring reimbursement directly from the firm.

Rereading, I get what you meant now. (There are so many calls to OUT THE FIRM on this site for a whole range of things that I leapt to the nuclear option.) Not sure how you avoid getting reimbursed directly from the firm, though, and not sure it's wise for a lateral candidate to give away that much information.

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Thinking about OUTING my firm for having such terrible toilet paper in the 23rd floor bathroom.

Also, I think my comment may apply more for summer associate style callback reimbursements.

[dabigchina]

You think people who need jobs aren’t going to apply to this firm because they’ve been slow to reimburse the OP?

Yes--that is exactly what I meant.

Or, you know, if there are other options, you can avoid requiring reimbursement directly from the firm.

Rereading, I get what you meant now. (There are so many calls to OUT THE FIRM on this site for a whole range of things that I leapt to the nuclear option.) Not sure how you avoid getting reimbursed directly from the firm, though, and not sure it's wise for a lateral candidate to give away that much information.

It's probably useful to know about this stuff so candidates can have reasonable expectations going in - IE they might be out of pocket for expenses incurred for the interview, notwithstanding the official firm policy.

[QContinuum]

It's probably useful to know about this stuff so candidates can have reasonable expectations going in - IE they might be out of pocket for expenses incurred for the interview, notwithstanding the official firm policy.

That's a good point, especially for those who have a habit of "spreading the wealth" when on business travel.

[Fingerscrossed11]

I am a 2L. I have heard from classmates that both Dechert and Allen and Overy still have not reimbursed NALP expenses. All other firms to my knowledge have reimbursed. A few people spent over $1000 (because of designating a host firm for a city) so it is good for others to know that if you plan to use either firm as a host--choose someone else!

[wildcatatpenn]

I got stiffed for like $400 by one firm like 5 years ago for a callback. After enough tries and time spent I eventually gave it up -- too much else going in my life at that time.

Still irritated, and even more irritated now that I can't remember who it was. Would love to out them if I could remember. Might find some old document that I know I had it recorded it on and out them ITT if I can