v20 to v10 lateral - worth it? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Mid-level in a good v20 corporate/transactional group, no real complaints. With end of year approaching/lateral inquiries picking up, is it worth it to move to a v10 firm if possible? Will this make a difference long-term (leaving for in-house, making partner, etc.)? Anyone have experience with this?

[Sackboy]

No. The risk of moving into a group that you don't like, losing your connections/reputation within the firm, etc. is all far greater than any potential upside. This would be a different conversation if you had a lateral offer from Wachtell or a Lit Boutique, but this is just another generic, slightly-higher ranked law firm.

[Elston Gunn]

Yeah, don’t see why you’d do this if you’re happy enough in your current job.

[lolwutpar]

Lateraling for the sake of lateraling makes no sense. And I feel like you're too far into your career to believe there's any difference between a v10 and a v20.

Lateral for the following reasons (I'm sure I'm missing some):

1. Location

2. Compensation

3. You don't like your current job/group/firm

4. A partner wants you to go with them and you have a great relationship

5. Switching practice groups or doing something more specific

6. No hours requirement (oh how I miss this one)

[purplegoldtornado]

Certainly, however, there are jumps that make lateraling worth it for prestige only, right? If so, how far of a jump would be justified?

[avenuem]

How else do you maintain/increase the respect you get from law students and recent law grads? Of course you must lateral, and don't stop until you're v1.

[run26.2]

How else do you maintain/increase the respect you get from law students and recent law grads? Of course you must lateral, and don't stop until you're v1.

Except if you've made it to v1 then you've skipped v3.

[TigerIsBack]

Certainly, however, there are jumps that make lateraling worth it for prestige only, right? If so, how far of a jump would be justified?

This I would tend to agree with. I went from ~v50 to ~v25 and it seems like the work is much more sophisticated. I can't say for sure what my exit options would've been at my old firm, but I suspect that they would have been more limited than what I have now.