When to Lateral? Forum

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When to Lateral?

Post by Anonymous User » Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:11 pm

So I am an incoming associate at a V20 in NYC and I am assuming I will be WFH for at least the first few months. I am currently living with my SO in a secondary market (think Dallas, SF, etc.) where she is going to grad school for the next 3 years. Obviously, moving to NYC would mean that we would have to do long-distance.

I ideally want to end up in this secondary market as soon as I can, for personal, financial, and career reasons. How soon can/should I look to lateral once we go in-person at the firm? I am from the area my SO lives in currently, FWIW.

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lolwutpar

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Re: When to Lateral?

Post by lolwutpar » Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:07 pm

Just look ASAP. May be tough as a new associate, though. FWIW I haven't gotten many recruiter emails for Texas, but I get a ton for Seattle, Denver, NYC, etc. No harm in actively trying.

justanotherlurker

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Re: When to Lateral?

Post by justanotherlurker » Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:48 am

Does the firm you're currently at have an office in that market? If so, just ask to switch offices - that would be the easiest path, and the firm would likely be amenable.

Assuming it doesn't, given that you don't mention it: Start applying right now. Network as much as you can, since there are not going to be many job postings. It's going to be tough lateralling as a brand new associate in the current market, but some firm (I wouldn't limit yourself to V20; the Vault list isn't all that helpful outside NYC anyway) will likely have a need.

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Re: When to Lateral?

Post by Anonymous User » Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:57 am

Unpopular opinion but it's going to be nearly impossible to lateral as a new associate (especially if you're not barred yet—assuming not since you're in NYC). I would try to stick it out for at least a year before trying to lateral. Long distance sucks but it's not the end of the world, especially since you'll both be extremely busy. Most NYC firms are going to be WFH well into 2021 even if there's a vaccine, so you might only need to be long distance for a few months.

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Re: When to Lateral?

Post by Anonymous User » Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:22 am

OP here, firm doesn’t have an office in the city.

Also, I don’t NEED to lateral in the next few months, I assumed that my best case scenario was beginning of 2022. Just wanted to see how viable lateraling a year from starting at a firm was and when you get theta process rolling

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