How long does it take to lateral? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Junior at a V20 in litigation. Wondering how soon I should start looking/how long I can wait to look if I want to be at a new firm by a certain date.

[Anonymous User]

Probably better to start sooner, rather than later within reason. I was moving from the West Coast to NY, and I had multiple offers within a couple weeks of submitting through a recruiter; took another two-ish weeks for the conflicts and background check to clear. For reasons of convenience, I pushed my start date back another few weeks and didn't give notice at my old firm right away. Absent an acute need at the new shop, most firms will work with you on start date to the extent you need a few weeks' padding, I think.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a litigator who recently lateralled. It took me 2 1/2 months from when I decided to start applying elsewhere to getting offers.

I think the biggest factor is the market you are in. If you are in NYC, for example, there will likely be many openings at other firms and the timeline may be shorter. If you are in a small market, however, there will not be as many big law firms, and it could take longer if there are not many/any openings.

[Anonymous User]

Mid-level NY Funds attorney here. I had multiple offers within 3 days of sending my resume to the recruiter because everyone needs funds mid-levels. This to say it depends on your practice area, seniority, availability to interview and possibly recruiter vs no recruiter.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It took a month since I started looking but I accepted an offer to start. The only problem is the new firm wants me to start early and it doesn't leave enough time for me to give two weeks notice. I'm going to start when they need me, but wondering if it's realistic that I would burn bridges because I only gave a week's notice. Anon for obvious reasons.

[Anonymous User]

I laterally in mid 2020 as a mid level. It took more than 4 months to get offers and another month to clear conflict.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It took a month since I started looking but I accepted an offer to start. The only problem is the new firm wants me to start early and it doesn't leave enough time for me to give two weeks notice. I'm going to start when they need me, but wondering if it's realistic that I would burn bridges because I only gave a week's notice. Anon for obvious reasons.

I would tell them no and I also don’t think them pressuring you to do that bodes well for the future. You’re showing them right away that they can walk all over you. If you don’t care about the current firm and want to accommodate them, go for it, but if you don’t want to burn the bridge I’d give 2 weeks.

[Anonymous User]

So, I had two times when I looked to lateral.

1) Sent out resumes via a recruiter, got interviews scheduled within one week, got an offer a week later. Decided not to take the job as personal stuff came up. This was for NY offices and I was a second year.
2) Sent out resumes via recruiter, got interviews scheduled within one week, struck out. This was for HK offices. I was a third year.

In other words, it really depends on your seniority, the market as a whole, and the markets you are applying to.

Now the question on how long it takes to start after you accept the offer? That's what I wonder as well. Lot of variables, with when your firm's notice period is, when your new employer wants you to start (can you hold off for a month or two to give yourself a break?), etc. I remember with the NY office I told the recruiter I might want to start a month or so later at the NY office. They indicated that it probably wouldn't go over well if I tried to pull that.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It took a month since I started looking but I accepted an offer to start. The only problem is the new firm wants me to start early and it doesn't leave enough time for me to give two weeks notice. I'm going to start when they need me, but wondering if it's realistic that I would burn bridges because I only gave a week's notice. Anon for obvious reasons.

I would tell them no and I also don’t think them pressuring you to do that bodes well for the future. You’re showing them right away that they can walk all over you. If you don’t care about the current firm and want to accommodate them, go for it, but if you don’t want to burn the bridge I’d give 2 weeks.

I also wanted to start early and that's why I said yes. I didn't feel like they pressured me. My question was more if I should be concerned I'll burn bridges. But at this point it's too late. I already sent in my notice.

[Anonymous User]

Just to add a data point:

Started the search seriously in early March, signing my offer today or tomorrow - conflicts and background will take another 1-2 weeks in all likelihood. I think my timeline might be 2-3 weeks longer than normal because I initially tried to lateral to a certain practice that I couldn't manage to break into and had to settle for a different practice area (where I had much more success). All-in-all the process can take anywhere from 1-3 months depending on how you're lateraling. If you're carpet bombing with a good recruiter it'll be on the longer end. If you're networking in to interviews, likely less.

On recruiters - a good recruiter should make you feel like some sort of pro athlete or movie star. Obviously Biglaw lawyers are, in fact, none of those things. That said, my recruiter really went above and beyond for me and was extremely communicative and always updating me. Leverage your network (school, firms, etc.) to find a recruiter that's good. Don't waste your time with the ones that randomly e-mail your firm inbox. They'll respond to you every 3 weeks.

[nealric]

It took 9 months from when I first started putting feelers out to lateral and when I actually accepted an offer (ended up getting several in the end). Granted, I was moving cities and it was a much slower market at the time. But sometimes the process can take a while. On the other hand, I know someone who picked up the phone asking a friend about possibly moving to their firm and had an on the spot offer after an interview a week later.