Really anxious about this! How do I lateral from NY to SF as a first-year? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey guys,

I've been really worried about this lateral move for a while, since I keep hearing that lateralling as a first-year (or even a second-year) is next to impossible. For context, I'm a first year at a V50 firm in NY doing transactional work (passed the NY Bar this past October), and learnt a couple months about that my fiance will have to make the move to SF due to school (starting in this Fall). Since this is going to be a few years, I definitely want to make the move to SF as well ASAP. When can I make the move to SF/how do I go about recruiting/do I need to take the CA Bar in July to boost my resume? Thanks a ton! Any advice or inputs would be appreciated.

[Sackboy]

Does your V50 not have a SF office?

[Anonymous User]

Unfortunately no

[TigerIsBack]

So it sounds like your finance would start school in Fall 2021? So you have almost a year to be looking around. I think if you're able to get interviews, you have a good story/reason for making the move, and since it's your first move hopefully firms won't hold that against you.

It will be tougher to lateral when you're in your first 2 years of practice, but not impossible. I lateralled after my second year to switch markets, and got some interviews around the end of my first year.

[Anonymous User]

Yes, my fiance starts in the Fall of this year so I guess I would have time to look around - of course, I'm also open to staying in NYC if necessary for a few more months before moving out West. That's really encouraging to hear that you were able to receive interviews toward the end of your first year. Should I begin contacting recruiters? I haven't been admitted to the NY Bar yet (and that might take a long time), so haven't heard from any recruiters. Do you recommend taking the CA Bar in July? Thanks a ton

[TigerIsBack]

Yes, my fiance starts in the Fall of this year so I guess I would have time to look around - of course, I'm also open to staying in NYC if necessary for a few more months before moving out West. That's really encouraging to hear that you were able to receive interviews toward the end of your first year. Should I begin contacting recruiters? I haven't been admitted to the NY Bar yet (and that might take a long time), so haven't heard from any recruiters. Do you recommend taking the CA Bar in July? Thanks a ton

It would probably be good to keep your bar materials fresh in your mind on weekends and stuff, but the only issue with taking the CA bar in July is that it may be hard to hide that from your current firm and could signal to them that you're looking to leave if you haven't received an offer yet at that time (especially since it sounds like they don't have a CA office).

Most firms that hire a lateral that is relocating will give you time off (usually ~2 weeks plus sometimes you can use any vacation you've accrued) to study and take the bar exam. So if you land an offer at a CA firm, they'll probably let you take the bar after your start date.

[2013]

I would probably take the July bar. My friend had a similar situation when she moved to LA. Because she was a corporate associate (which there are many of), firms were unwilling to hire her without first passing the bar. She took the bar and got an offer like a month after she passed.

I think firms are more flexible with IP (and other harder to fill) positions. However, if the firm needs bodies, maybe it’ll consider you without the bar.

[Anonymous User]

Thank you, this is all very helpful information! Re: July Bar, I can probably find a way to start studying in March, and keep it on the down low since we're probably going to be WFH until after the Bar in any case, and take vacation days prior to and the days of the Bar.

How do I begin to recruit until then?