Anyone Ever Ask for their Old Biglaw Job Back? Advice? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Per thread title, am curious of experiences / thoughts on how to go about asking for old job back.

For context, I left biglaw job after bonus season, but on good terms, for a regional firm. Now I want to go back. Would appreciate any thoughts on how ppl have approached this in the past. Thanks all!

[Anonymous User]

When I left my firm, multiple partners said to just reach back out if things don’t work out at my new firm. If any partners said the same to you, I’d reach out to them first.

[WhiteCollarBlueShirt]

Have personally seen people do this more than a few times, including after leaving for competitors, mid-law/regional, non-law and rage quitting altogether. Just depends on the culture of the firm you were at and your relationship with the powers that be.

[Sackboy]

Have personally seen people do this more than a few times, including after leaving for competitors, mid-law/regional, non-law and rage quitting altogether. Just depends on the culture of the firm you were at and your relationship with the powers that be.

Have to agree. I even know a couple of folks who submitted their 2 weeks to go to another firm, and the partners in my group talked them into staying. Low turnover is good for profit margins. If you did good work at your old firm, they'd probably love to have a mid level with good profit margins back and to get around recruiting/training expenses/missed revenue while ramping up a new associate.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks all. Yeah, a partner did tell my I'm always welcome back, and I know they are busy right now. But I guess I feel a bit sheepish asking for my old job back. Anyone have any inside info on how a boomerang is viewed by the powers at be? Will I use up all of my prior goodwill if I come back? Any ideas on the best way to approach this to preserve prior goodwill and some sense of pride?

[Anonymous User]

[repeat post]

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks all. Yeah, a partner did tell my I'm always welcome back, and I know they are busy right now. But I guess I feel a bit sheepish asking for my old job back. Anyone have any inside info on how a boomerang is viewed by the powers at be? Will I use up all of my prior goodwill if I come back? Any ideas on the best way to approach this to preserve prior goodwill and some sense of pride?

FWIW, the two people who I know who did this made partner. At the end of the day, most partners just want competent associates on their deals. And they want their good associates to make partner so they don’t leave. Good associates get away with all types of shit and can be massive pains in the asses - any “goodwill” you lose is quickly made up if you crush their next deal and the partner looks good.

I’d just kill them with some kindness (saying you realized how much more you liked the old group, culture, work, whatever). They may want to see a little groveling, but then just move on

[Sackboy]

Yeah, don't think you really lose any goodwill by saying "Hey, my new firm isn't quite the culture/environmental fit that I had at [x]. While work here is going well, I'd like to rejoin the [x] team and get back at it." People get it.

[WhiteCollarBlueShirt]

I've even seen returners get concessions (e.g., not having to work with the counsel who sent them over the edge), but credited to just kill them with kindness if you're happy to just return to the status quo.

[Anonymous User]

My firm had an associate leave and come back three times. Each time this associate left was for a non-law position, and each of the associate’s returns to the firm were for 12-18 months. The associate did good work and the firm welcomed the associate back the first three times.

The associate tried a fourth time but was finally told no.