Skipping a Class Year? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I’m a mid-level in a niche practice group. We started the year with several associates but I’m now the only one left. We’re trying to get some first years up to speed, but that will take forever. My future will be insanely busy.

Would it be absurd for me to ask to skip a class year as review time approaches? Is this a thing? I’ve always been told I perform above class year. I don’t want to be laughed out the door, but if I can take advantage of this situation, I’d obviously love to.

[Anonymous User]

If you don't ask your less likely to get it, right?

I work at a firm that will jump you class years after year 3. This past year I asked for a 1 year bump and I was bumped 2 class years. Not sure if that means the next two years I'm stagnant, or what. But it never hurts to ask.

[Anonymous User]

Here I am trying to find ways to drop a class year so I can go back to chilling, and yall are trying to jump classes.

[Anonymous User]

Here I am trying to find ways to drop a class year so I can go back to chilling, and yall are trying to jump classes.

Amen, gimme a little less money and a whole lot less stress/pressure.

[Anonymous User]

Here I am trying to find ways to drop a class year so I can go back to chilling, and yall are trying to jump classes.

Amen, gimme a little less money and a whole lot less stress/pressure.

Joke's on you, first years are borderline running deals these days

[Anonymous User]

OP here, definitely gonna ask for the jump. Nothing to lose. Biglaw ain’t the plan long term, so extra salary bump is worth the ask. You all are lucky if the first years you have can handle anything alone. The ones I have worked with have cost more time. Thanks

[Anonymous User]

Here I am trying to find ways to drop a class year so I can go back to chilling, and yall are trying to jump classes.

Amen, gimme a little less money and a whole lot less stress/pressure.

Joke's on you, first years are borderline running deals these days

Lol are you a first year? Cuz I thought I was running deals when I was a first year. I was not.

But then again, I'm sure in a few years, where I'm at will look like a cake-walk also.

[Law Sauce]

OP here, definitely gonna ask for the jump. Nothing to lose. Biglaw ain’t the plan long term, so extra salary bump is worth the ask. You all are lucky if the first years you have can handle anything alone. The ones I have worked with have cost more time. Thanks

I thought about this a lot but never did it. I did make partner early but somewhat unrelated. I would caution you to think through the optics carefully. You are very valuable now, but I would worry about changing the vibe from being seen as the future rising star and a team player to someone who is out for yourself (the partner vs. employee perspective). If the goal is to leave soonish, then sure... go for it. If you are not sure, don't overplay your current hand for a short term advantage.

[DukeMountain]

OP here, definitely gonna ask for the jump. Nothing to lose. Biglaw ain’t the plan long term, so extra salary bump is worth the ask. You all are lucky if the first years you have can handle anything alone. The ones I have worked with have cost more time. Thanks

I thought about this a lot but never did it. I did make partner early but somewhat unrelated. I would caution you to think through the optics carefully. You are very valuable now, but I would worry about changing the vibe from being seen as the future rising star and a team player to someone who is out for yourself (the partner vs. employee perspective). If the goal is to leave soonish, then sure... go for it. If you are not sure, don't overplay your current hand for a short term advantage.

Doesn’t this dynamic change anyways in a few years of OP is looking to make partner? If OP doesn’t ask is looking to ride out the glow of his/her value it’s done at a discount (assuming that OP could get a bump).

When OP eventually want to make partner this dynamic comes up again where they are looking out for themselves (partnership) as opposed to being a good employee. I can understand the “ruffle no feathers” approach on your way up but what OP is doing seems to just press the issue sooner rather than later.