Top Law Schools

I just gave notice to my current firm after completing conflicts and background check for my lateral firm. Upon giving notice they asked me to provide them with references from my current firm. How often does this occur? While i informed the partners and they were fine with giving me a ref, I still feel like this is rather uncalled for since they are putting one more hurdle to my employment after I’ve already given notice to my current firm. It just didn’t sit right with me. Is this common?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 17, 2021 7:44 pm

I just gave notice to my current firm after completing conflicts and background check for my lateral firm. Upon giving notice they asked me to provide them with references from my current firm. How often does this occur? While i informed the partners and they were fine with giving me a ref, I still feel like this is rather uncalled for since they are putting one more hurdle to my employment after I’ve already given notice to my current firm. It just didn’t sit right with me. Is this common?

I didn't have this last time I switched firms. Admittedly not Amlaw 100 firms, but it does seem to be a predicament.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 17, 2021 7:44 pm

I just gave notice to my current firm after completing conflicts and background check for my lateral firm. Upon giving notice they asked me to provide them with references from my current firm. How often does this occur? While i informed the partners and they were fine with giving me a ref, I still feel like this is rather uncalled for since they are putting one more hurdle to my employment after I’ve already given notice to my current firm. It just didn’t sit right with me. Is this common?

This happened to me recently, too. The new firm wanted 2 partner references from my then-current firm (after already clearing conflict check), citing just doing their due diligence.

I thought it was strange, too. But the partners are fine with giving you a ref, I don't see a problem.

Same thing happened to me after giving notice. I thought it was strange, too.

Same thing happened to me after giving notice. I thought it was strange, too.

I think it’s strange, but I think some firms think that they’ll find out if you were fired by asking for this.

I was asked to leave between the time I got my offer and before giving notice. So, for me, it was terrifying when the new firm asked for references from my then-current firm. And the chair of the new practice group actually contacted the partner (not some HR person). Luckily, I was asked to leave because the practice was slow (we were all averaging 100 or fewer hours for a few months) and not being terrible. And I was still on severance. So it went fine.

Yes, happened to me when I lateralled. Still think it's a little strange and spooked me a bit at the time, but just one or two more awkward interactions on your way out. There are reasons for doing it.

This happened to me when I lateraled, I don't think it's out of market or anything even if it doesn't make a ton of sense. It was frustrating because of course the firm I was leaving wasn't like, prioritizing calling the new firm back, and then new firm was like "Why won't these partners talk to us" and I was like...because they're mad you're stealing me? If they wanted me gone trust me they would make this easy for you! Anyway, it all worked out (I gave them two additional partners to call who were the bosses of the partners who weren't answering the phones, and then it turned out that the original partners became VERY responsive once their bosses got voicemails ). In addition, my new firm was willing to talk to senior associates or really anyone who would certify I wasn't a serial killer so if you're having issues with partners, consider offering up a senior associate who will be more responsive.

I’ve seen a lot of posts concerning references. Do all firms always ask for references from your current firm, or does it vary by firm (or even by practice group)? I’m in the post-CB pre-offer stage and am trying to gauge whether I’ll be asked for references (which I’d hate).

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 26, 2021 9:44 pm

I’ve seen a lot of posts concerning references. Do all firms always ask for references from your current firm, or does it vary by firm (or even by practice group)? I’m in the post-CB pre-offer stage and am trying to gauge whether I’ll be asked for references (which I’d hate).

When I got an offer at a large market paying firm and they asked for single professional reference (in the offer letter).

My firm asked for this - I was coming off a clerkship with an open offer from my SA firm and they needed a partner reference from my SA firm. I guess it was to confirm I had actually received an offer? (It was already after the new firm extended me an offer so its usefulness as an assessment tool was limited.). I believe we require this of lateral associates too. It was an awkward call (phoning SA firm’s hiring partner, for whom I had worked, declining the open offer and asking for a reference) but not the end of the world.