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I'm a mid-level associate in a major legal market. I recently lateraled from a top-tier big law firm to a well-respected regional firm. Because of circumstances that were unforeseen at the time that I lateraled, I am now interested in taking advantage of the hot lateral market and lateraling back to a market-paying firm. Does anyone have insight about whether this is viable and, if so, how long I would need to stay at my current firm before trying to lateral again? (I know bouncing around is generally frowned upon and counterproductive to career development.) I have very strong academic credentials and, aside from the double-lateral issue, would be a great candidate at the firms I would be targeting.

I guess my question is: would making this move be more feasible (and worth pursuing) given the hot market for lateral associates? Or do I basically need to stay put for a given amount of time before pursuing other options? Thank you for any advice.

PM me, as I’ve made a similar move.

To the extent it's helpful, I remember reading that everybody gets one redo. Sometimes firms just aren't a good fit and you can get away with that once, but would need to put in your time after that. Presumably you had put in a decent amount of time at your previous firm, so I don't think a move now would be "bouncing around" just yet. I would say you should have a good reason/story, and that it might be a bit harder to explain your motivations for biglaw --> regional/midlaw --> biglaw, but it can probably be done. And as you said, considering the lateral market and the need for associates in certain corporate practices now, I think it can't hurt to send out some resumes and/or have a recruiter reach out to NY biglaw firms to see if they are interested.

That being said, if it's a well-respected regional firm in your desired market, maybe stick with it for a bit to see if you like it.

I have a different take on this and it comes down to what you hope to accomplish in biglaw. I've jumped around a few times for reasons that I think make sense. I very much doubt I'll be partner, so for me it's all about gaining the requisite experience and saving money for the next chapter. I don't think lateraling hurt me on either of those objectives. Perhaps I'd be in a better position for partnership if I started out in a particular firm or group, and stayed there through the years, but for various reasons the firms/groups I was in as a junior didn't remain great options, and like I said, I just don't see myself as a partner. I think it looks bad in some sense to jump around, but what does that mean for you and your career objectives? For me it hasn't meant much.

No reason not to send out resumes, if you don't want to work at the regional firm. I think the "you need to stay at a job for X amount of time" is overstated. You only need to stay at the regional firm as long as it takes you to get a job somewhere you'd rather work.