Moving offices after 2L SA Forum

[Anonymous User]

Is requesting a move to a different office common/easy after a 2L SA?

Will be in a large office (e.g., Chicago/NY) and thinking of requesting a move down to Houston.

[cornerstone]

This is super firm-dependent, but anecdotally I've seen a lot of people jump offices (including to secondary cities). A couple caveats that could make the move more challenging:

• Is your practice group NYC/Chi-specific? It would be harder to move to an office with few or no people in your group (unless they want to grow that group in that location, in which case this is an opportunity).

• Did you screw up during your 2L SA? Not like miss one error in a cite check screw up. I mean like offend big partners, hand in an important assignment really late with no communication, etc. If they are looking for a reason to drop you, this might give them an opportunity by just saying no.

• Houston may be harder because Texas firms typically don't give offers to their full SA class. I could see them being more reluctant to let you move there if they already over-offered. Someone from Texas should speak up.

[Anonymous User]

If you're in one of the mega firms which it appears you are from the NYC/Chicago reference like Latham, Kirkland or Skadden then you'll almost definitely be able to transfer. Latham is growing out its practice, and Kirkland needs bodies. Skadden is a smaller shop down south but many friends have been easily been able to transfer offices at Skadden.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks!

It’s Latham/KE and I’m going to be likely in m&a/cap mkts. Have not had the SA yet

do i just like email HR at the end of the summer?

[Anonymous User]

I did this after 2L summer, I had a main HR recruiter/contact so I reached out to them (might have been after I accepted offer, can't recall)