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Hi - I am at a V10 and have a few lateral interviews lined up at NY v50 ish firms. I have some issues with the toxic culture in my group - but am doing well - had a great review and am simply hoping to leave to look for a practice group with a better culture, more respect for associates and hopefully fewer hours (fingers crossed).

As a 3rd year, I've noticed that the groups I have interviews with are very small and generally don't have many jr or jr/mid-level associates. There are only 4-5 associates in the group and each ranges from a 5th year to a 10/11th year. Without having interviewed yet - what would this group structure mean for me? On one hand - I see the benefit of having a sr. associate on every deal I'm staffed - on the other hand - I see myself over-worked as the only junior/young mid-level.

Any thoughts/anecdotal experienced would be appreciated!

You are right to be wary. There is always grind work that needs to be done (doc review, schedules, corporate document drafting), and the most junior person does it. That will be you until someone more junior is hired. Once there is someone more junior, you will be able to delegate and manage projects more.