Morgan Lewis- Lateral Forum

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the interview stage of considering a lateral move to Morgan Lewis in a litigation-based practice group. I’m at a peer firm in the same practice area. The position as advertised is for lower than my current class year.

Looking for any insight on the following:
- Does Morgan Lewis offer signing bonuses? If so, how much? (No recruiter involved)
- Will they likely try to cut my class year? How much?
- What are partnership prospects like for laterals? Is there a minimum number of years you need to be at the firm before you can be promoted?

I’d also welcome any general comments about the firm.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the interview stage of considering a lateral move to Morgan Lewis in a litigation-based practice group. I’m at a peer firm in the same practice area. The position as advertised is for lower than my current class year.

Looking for any insight on the following:
- Does Morgan Lewis offer signing bonuses? If so, how much? (No recruiter involved)
- Will they likely try to cut my class year? How much?
- What are partnership prospects like for laterals? Is there a minimum number of years you need to be at the firm before you can be promoted?

I’d also welcome any general comments about the firm.

Thanks in advance.

1. Generally we only give signing bonuses for people straight out of clerkships, but you do actually get work-life balance here. Many of MLB’s attorneys are laterals from same tier or higher ranked firms who want weekends off.

2. The partnership won’t cut your class year if you’re coming from the same practice group. They only do it if you’re retooling.

3. Depends on the practice group, though if you’re a lateral senior associate, expect to put in some years before you’re considered for partnership.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the interview stage of considering a lateral move to Morgan Lewis in a litigation-based practice group. I’m at a peer firm in the same practice area. The position as advertised is for lower than my current class year.

Looking for any insight on the following:
- Does Morgan Lewis offer signing bonuses? If so, how much? (No recruiter involved)
- Will they likely try to cut my class year? How much?
- What are partnership prospects like for laterals? Is there a minimum number of years you need to be at the firm before you can be promoted?

I’d also welcome any general comments about the firm.

Thanks in advance.

1. Generally we only give signing bonuses for people straight out of clerkships, but you do actually get work-life balance here. Many of MLB’s attorneys are laterals from same tier or higher ranked firms who want weekends off.

2. The partnership won’t cut your class year if you’re coming from the same practice group. They only do it if you’re retooling.

3. Depends on the practice group, though if you’re a lateral senior associate, expect to put in some years before you’re considered for partnership.

For laterals in a group like L&E, do you know if Morgan Lewis auto filters out anyone not top x percent of their class? All A's and B's, but not top x percent and considering lateraling, but noticed all job postings are no recruiters so any insight on how to get noticed in a submission is appreciated!

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the interview stage of considering a lateral move to Morgan Lewis in a litigation-based practice group. I’m at a peer firm in the same practice area. The position as advertised is for lower than my current class year.

Looking for any insight on the following:
- Does Morgan Lewis offer signing bonuses? If so, how much? (No recruiter involved)
- Will they likely try to cut my class year? How much?
- What are partnership prospects like for laterals? Is there a minimum number of years you need to be at the firm before you can be promoted?

I’d also welcome any general comments about the firm.

Thanks in advance.

1. Generally we only give signing bonuses for people straight out of clerkships, but you do actually get work-life balance here. Many of MLB’s attorneys are laterals from same tier or higher ranked firms who want weekends off.

2. The partnership won’t cut your class year if you’re coming from the same practice group. They only do it if you’re retooling.

3. Depends on the practice group, though if you’re a lateral senior associate, expect to put in some years before you’re considered for partnership.

For laterals in a group like L&E, do you know if Morgan Lewis auto filters out anyone not top x percent of their class? All A's and B's, but not top x percent and considering lateraling, but noticed all job postings are no recruiters so any insight on how to get noticed in a submission is appreciated!

I had a callback in benefits & comp, so similar to L&E. Graduated from a T30 with median grades. No one brought up my mediocre grades.

[Anonymous User]

I want to apply, but I figure I wouldn’t get any traction without a recruiter. Applying to their online system just makes me think I’d be one of many applicants just overlooked.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the interview stage of considering a lateral move to Morgan Lewis in a litigation-based practice group. I’m at a peer firm in the same practice area. The position as advertised is for lower than my current class year.

Looking for any insight on the following:
- Does Morgan Lewis offer signing bonuses? If so, how much? (No recruiter involved)
- Will they likely try to cut my class year? How much?
- What are partnership prospects like for laterals? Is there a minimum number of years you need to be at the firm before you can be promoted?

I’d also welcome any general comments about the firm.

Thanks in advance.

1. Generally we only give signing bonuses for people straight out of clerkships, but you do actually get work-life balance here. Many of MLB’s attorneys are laterals from same tier or higher ranked firms who want weekends off.

2. The partnership won’t cut your class year if you’re coming from the same practice group. They only do it if you’re retooling.

3. Depends on the practice group, though if you’re a lateral senior associate, expect to put in some years before you’re considered for partnership.

For laterals in a group like L&E, do you know if Morgan Lewis auto filters out anyone not top x percent of their class? All A's and B's, but not top x percent and considering lateraling, but noticed all job postings are no recruiters so any insight on how to get noticed in a submission is appreciated!

I had a callback in benefits & comp, so similar to L&E. Graduated from a T30 with median grades. No one brought up my mediocre grades.

Thanks for the insight! And yea I share another poster's worry that I'll just be an application in a sea of applicants.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in the interview stage of considering a lateral move to Morgan Lewis in a litigation-based practice group. I’m at a peer firm in the same practice area. The position as advertised is for lower than my current class year.

Looking for any insight on the following:
- Does Morgan Lewis offer signing bonuses? If so, how much? (No recruiter involved)
- Will they likely try to cut my class year? How much?
- What are partnership prospects like for laterals? Is there a minimum number of years you need to be at the firm before you can be promoted?

I’d also welcome any general comments about the firm.

Thanks in advance.

1. Generally we only give signing bonuses for people straight out of clerkships, but you do actually get work-life balance here. Many of MLB’s attorneys are laterals from same tier or higher ranked firms who want weekends off.

2. The partnership won’t cut your class year if you’re coming from the same practice group. They only do it if you’re retooling.

3. Depends on the practice group, though if you’re a lateral senior associate, expect to put in some years before you’re considered for partnership.

OP here -- thanks, I appreciate your response. When you say work-life balance, what's about average for billable hours for senior associates with hopes for partnership? How is the firm with bonuses? Strict minimum or some flexibility? Extra money for high billers?

To the other posters, hope we're not all applying for the same position!

[Anonymous User]

The firm hires from people who apply directly via the online application.

[Anonymous User]

I want to apply, but I figure I wouldn’t get any traction without a recruiter. Applying to their online system just makes me think I’d be one of many applicants just overlooked.

I’m at MLB, and I don’t believe the firm works with recruiters. Most laterals in my office were recommended by current associates (and firm pays a pretty high referral bonus)

[Anonymous User]

I want to apply, but I figure I wouldn’t get any traction without a recruiter. Applying to their online system just makes me think I’d be one of many applicants just overlooked.

I’m at MLB, and I don’t believe the firm works with recruiters. Most laterals in my office were recommended by current associates (and firm pays a pretty high referral bonus)

Any sponsors? lol.

[Anonymous User]

Any insight into the number of interview rounds MLB has been doing during the pandemic for lateral associates or the timing between the final interview and an offer? Because it’s so easy for multiple attorneys to join the initial virtual interview, I’ve heard of some firms doing only one round before extending an offer.

[Anonymous User]

Any insight into the number of interview rounds MLB has been doing during the pandemic for lateral associates or the timing between the final interview and an offer? Because it’s so easy for multiple attorneys to join the initial virtual interview, I’ve heard of some firms doing only one round before extending an offer.

I recently received an offer from ML. Had a screener, one full round of interviews and received an offer within 24 hours.

[Anonymous User]

Good to know, and congrats on the offer!