Secondment at Big Company-Current MidLevel at BigLaw Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi All. Anonymous for obvious reasons. I was approached by a big company this week about doing a secondment with them. It is a dream for me to work at this company and I have previously (several months ago) talked to their recruiters and some of their in house attnys about possibly working there. This week I had an interview with the manager I would be working with as a secondee and they would like to move forward with talking to the appropriate contacts at my firm for how we can arrange this secondment. Bad news is that I have no idea who the appropriate contacts are at my firm and every other person on our team who has gone on secondment only went to companies that directly approached our department head. I don't know who to approach about this (and really really don't want to mess this up with this company) because I can imagine with the culture of my firm that they may be a bit resistant since it wasn't given directly to them. Let's say culture at my current firm is not great. Any advice?

[trebekismyhero]

Talk to a partner that you trust and ask. I would guess that it is probably your department chair and the partner in charge of the relationship. Is the company a client? If so, I would think the company could just reach out to their relationship partner. If they are not a client, then I would think the firm would still like the idea of getting a relationship going with the company. Most big law firms want their associates to go in-house so I don't think this will be as awkward as you think, although it would be better if the company reached out directly to the firm and asked for you to be a secondee.

[Anonymous User]

Talk to a partner that you trust and ask. I would guess that it is probably your department chair and the partner in charge of the relationship. Is the company a client? If so, I would think the company could just reach out to their relationship partner. If they are not a client, then I would think the firm would still like the idea of getting a relationship going with the company. Most big law firms want their associates to go in-house so I don't think this will be as awkward as you think, although it would be better if the company reached out directly to the firm and asked for you to be a secondee.

OP here. I think my main problem is that I don't have a partner I trust that I can ask. One of the main partners I work for does everything in their power to pigeon hole associates and prevent them from expanding into other areas (again-not great culture). The company is not a current firm client other than some one off matters with a partner on the other coast who I have no relationship with. Really struggling with how to proceed with next steps here. Based on prior experience I have a legitimate fear my group would try to box this out because it didn't come directly to them.

[papermateflair]

I would call the partner who does have the client relationship and explain what's going on and the great opportunity it is - if the partner is only doing one-off work, surely this partner who doesn't know you would want to expand the business relationship, and this seems like an easy way to get it done (that partner doesn't even have to hustle it up!). THAT partner, if they support you, can then go to and have conversations with the partners you work for and make sure you aren't boxed out - they should help you sell it to your team.

[notinbiglaw]

Partners are usually very supportive of secondment opportunities unless there are staffing issues. To be blunt, you're more valuable as a future source of business than as an associate unless you're a superstar already bringing in business as an associate.

[ghostoftraynor]

Echo thoughts here. I would call that partner that works with them. This could be a good opportunity to beef up that opportunity. Doesn't mean the firm will ok it, but absolutely worth a shot if that's what you want.

[Anonymous User]

Would also suggest talking to the work-flow coordinator of your practice group or office (if you have one). That's the first line of contact for secondments ar my firm.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Don't have an office or workload coordinator so been struggling here. I talked to a very very high up partner who is part of firmwide management and they told me I have to go to the practice chair to get approval. They also said they may consider only allowing me to do it 2-3 times a week which I think would be hell trying to balance two jobs. Does anyone have experience doing a secondment 2-3 times a week? That just sounds terrible because I know my firm won't stop giving me a full load of work if that's the case. I'm going to have to reach out to practice chair and just pray hard. Thank you everyone for your advice.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Don't have an office or workload coordinator so been struggling here. I talked to a very very high up partner who is part of firmwide management and they told me I have to go to the practice chair to get approval. They also said they may consider only allowing me to do it 2-3 times a week which I think would be hell trying to balance two jobs. Does anyone have experience doing a secondment 2-3 times a week? That just sounds terrible because I know my firm won't stop giving me a full load of work if that's the case. I'm going to have to reach out to practice chair and just pray hard. Thank you everyone for your advice.

Try to avoid doing a partial secondment if at all possible. I know people who've done it and it was very rough on them, especially with a full workload. It also might become more difficult for partners to staff you on deals/cases later on as you're not always going to be fully "available".