Lateral timeline Forum

[umichman]

Trying to lateral in Jan or feb next year. When do I start sending apps/reaching out to contacts? I am trying to switch markets if that makes a difference.

[TigerIsBack]

Trying to lateral in Jan or feb next year. When do I start sending apps/reaching out to contacts? I am trying to switch markets if that makes a difference.

If the timing is only based on waiting to collect a bonus, especially for transactional, many (most?) firms are guaranteeing a full year end bonus to laterals even if you're only there for a couple months before bonuses are paid out.

[Anonymous User]

Lateral now while the market is hot. Firms are plucking up laterals like it’s no one’s business.

[hdr]

It depends on your practice group, desired market, and goals. For instance, if you just want any V50 transactional practice in NYC you can probably wait until Thanksgiving, but if you want to join a litigation group in Charlotte then you should be reaching out now because you can't count on anything being available in January.

[umichman]

Trying to lateral in Jan or feb next year. When do I start sending apps/reaching out to contacts? I am trying to switch markets if that makes a difference.

If the timing is only based on waiting to collect a bonus, especially for transactional, many (most?) firms are guaranteeing a full year end bonus to laterals even if you're only there for a couple months before bonuses are paid out.

I am in niche transactional practice. I'm not in a rush to get out of current firm and current firm gives above market bonuses, so i'd prefer to get bonus here. Also market I'm looking to is non-cravath scale. Sounds like maybe thanksgiving is good.