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[Zzzz12345]

Hi everyone. I am a mid level associate in a corporate specialist group that recently lateraled to a market paying biglaw firm in a major market from a highly regarded corporate boutique/midsized firm (around 80 attorneys). My corporate boutique paid under market with an hours requirement of 1600 (which was a major reason in my looking to lateral), but when I brought them my biglaw offer they countered to near biglaw salary for my class year with a guaranteed minimum bonus (regardless of hours) that would put my total comp slightly over biglaw base. Also, the boutique told me that I would be made partner in 2-3 years and this was their way of showing my worth to the firm and that I was part of their long-term plans. I rejected the offer as biglaw bonus would make total comp higher and because there was no guarantee as to what my raises in future years would be.

Fast forward a few weeks into my start at my biglaw firm, and I am miserable. I very much enjoyed practicing at the corporate boutique and could have easily seen myself working there for my whole career. The people were great and the only downside was the comp (though I had a low hour requirement). Before I left, I was told that I could return to the firm and now a few weeks into the biglaw firm I am seriously considering lateraling back. Would this be a mistake? It seems the biglaw firm would pay more in the short term and set me up with better exit opportunities, but the work feels more mundane and repetitive. Has anyone done this or think they would regret not giving the biglaw firm a chance? Any insight would be appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

Give it more than a few weeks. You’re still dealing with a big change. Good luck, hang in there.

May be worth talking to your mentors or trusted advisors

[Anonymous User]

Give it more than a few weeks. You’re still dealing with a big change. Good luck, hang in there.

May be worth talking to your mentors or trusted advisors

+1. Anecdotally, I know someone who lateralled from firm A to B, lateralled back to A, and then lateralled back B again over the course of maybe 2 years. I wouldn't recommend it, though.

[Zzzz12345]

Appreciate the advice. I guess my only concern with giving the biglaw firm more time is that once my old firm hires a new associate into my practice area they would be reluctant to offer me the previous (attractive) offer.

[Anonymous User]

I seem to be the minority here, but I think you should go back immediately. To me, it really seems like you shouldn't have ever left in the first place. They were planning to give you great money, in an environment you liked, with a low hours requirement. That's the ideal situation. I think it was absolutely foolish to leave for a larger bonus considering the low hours and happiness factor you had going for you at the old firm.

I'd be groveling for my job back if I was in your shoes.

[Anonymous User]

Appreciate the advice. I guess my only concern with giving the biglaw firm more time is that once my old firm hires a new associate into my practice area they would be reluctant to offer me the previous (attractive) offer.

This seems a little difficult to believe. If your prior firm had such adoration for you that they were willing to offer you a substantial pay raise and an oral promise to promote you to partner in 2-3 years, I find it hard to imagine they would turn up their nose at you if you knocked on their door a year from now.

That said, I agree with others that it's hard to know if you're enjoying a job after just a few weeks when it's been (presumably) quite an adjustment. Also, if compensation is SO important to you that you gave up a 1600 hour per year job with a straight shot to partner in an environment you enjoyed just because biglaw's bonuses will result in you getting higher comp. . . you probably will never be truly happy at your old firm. It seems that compensation was the entire basis for your decision. Even if the old firm bumped you up to 400k or whatever right now, the gap in compensation will always exist between your old firm and biglaw. It seems you aren't comfortable with that, so you might as well continue to give biglaw a chance--at least for several more months.

[Anonymous User]

Appreciate the advice. I guess my only concern with giving the biglaw firm more time is that once my old firm hires a new associate into my practice area they would be reluctant to offer me the previous (attractive) offer.

This seems a little difficult to believe. If your prior firm had such adoration for you that they were willing to offer you a substantial pay raise and an oral promise to promote you to partner in 2-3 years, I find it hard to imagine they would turn up their nose at you if you knocked on their door a year from now.

That said, I agree with others that it's hard to know if you're enjoying a job after just a few weeks when it's been (presumably) quite an adjustment. Also, if compensation is SO important to you that you gave up a 1600 hour per year job with a straight shot to partner in an environment you enjoyed just because biglaw's bonuses will result in you getting higher comp. . . you probably will never be truly happy at your old firm. It seems that compensation was the entire basis for your decision. Even if the old firm bumped you up to 400k or whatever right now, the gap in compensation will always exist between your old firm and biglaw. It seems you aren't comfortable with that, so you might as well continue to give biglaw a chance--at least for several more months.

Actually I buy it. Smaller firms are like that, they only need so many ppl and if they fill the position they might move on.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

This is just a data point. But I've left 2 firms. Both times I regretted it for several months because everything was unfamiliar and I had left relationships I had built to work with strangers. I also recognized a few things right away that made my new job in some way arguably "worse" than my last one, without fully appreciating the things that made the new job better. Looking back, both times the move was really great for my career. Both times I ended up in better places with better people and a more enjoyable life.

This doesn't mean that your move was right. But I figured this could help you identify potential reasons for why you're feeling the way you feel.

[Zzzz12345]

Thanks, everyone. Im not so worried that my old firm wouldn’t take me back if I gave the biglaw firm say, 6 months, its more that since my practice group is so leanly staffed that once someone is hired to take my spot, then the previous offer would come off the table. Maybe they would offer me my old salary, but that was the main reason I was looking to lateral in the first place.

As for new firm/people adjustment, I get that, but my old firm wasn’t my first firm so I’ve been through that before and this time feels different. I hadn’t worked at a vault ranked firm before, so maybe I jumped at the “prestige” and higher salary because they sounded too good to pass up. I honestly wasn’t expecting my old firm to offer anywhere near what they did and haven’t been able to shake the thought that if they had made me this offer pre-accepting the biglaw offer (I didn’t negotiate prior to accepting) I would have taken it.

[objctnyrhnr]

Just (try to) go back. Worst case you try and they say no or screw your comp or whatever then you’re right back where you are now. But at least then you know.