Guidelines for post-offer, pre-conflicts Forum

[Anonymous User]

I accepted an offer in a different practice and different level firm (think biglaw to midlaw that doesn’t have my current practice area), so I’m not expecting any issues with conflicts, but I won’t give notice until everything goes through because of the economy we’re in. How do I navigate this time pre-notice? I don’t want to burn any bridges, but I don’t want to continue to suffer at a job I’m not staying in.

[uygiugiyugyugk]

I accepted an offer in a different practice and different level firm (think biglaw to midlaw that doesn’t have my current practice area), so I’m not expecting any issues with conflicts, but I won’t give notice until everything goes through because of the economy we’re in. How do I navigate this time pre-notice? I don’t want to burn any bridges, but I don’t want to continue to suffer at a job I’m not staying in.

i would just, you know, hang out for a couple weeks until conflicts clears, then give notice?

[Anonymous User]

OP here—is it possible to just coast/say no to more things? I don’t want to reveal anything (hence anon) but my current group is pretty hectic. The new firm told me that their conflicts people are pretty slow.

[existentialcrisis]

Take a vacation.

Although that could mean less of a payout when you quit, but could be worth it depending on your circumstances.

[Anonymous User]

Take a vacation.

Although that could mean less of a payout when you quit, but could be worth it depending on your circumstances.

Don’t have much of a vacation culture in my group, and it’s really frowned upon when things are hectic. Hoping to hide.

[existentialcrisis]

Take a vacation.

Although that could mean less of a payout when you quit, but could be worth it depending on your circumstances.

Don’t have much of a vacation culture in my group, and it’s really frowned upon when things are hectic. Hoping to hide.

I mean you do you, but I feel like (i) taking a vacation makes it easier to hide because of the ramp up period when you come back and (ii) who cares if it's frowned upon if you're about to quit anyways, you essentially already have 1.5 feet out the door.

ETA: My thought process is here is that its way more frowned upon to lie about being too busy when you're not and your group is slammed than it is to take a vacation when you need a break.

[12YrsAnAssociate]

Why not (i) avoid the office; (ii) avoid your email for the vast majority of the day; (iii) tell whoever sends you work that you are dealing with a "very serious personal issue that is occupying all of your time and more"? Better yet, put that in your out of office.

[Anonymous User]

If you are 99% leaving, stop caring about what's "frowned upon".

[Anonymous User]

OP here—does this same advice apply if I want the option to come back? I don’t think I will, but I want to preserve the option a few years down the line if I need it.

[Anonymous User]

I am in the same boat OP. I think maintaining your relationships, particularly if you are staying in the same market, is pretty important. The way you leave goes a long way in maintaining your reputation with the firm. Work from home and don't ask for more work, but I wouldn't do anything drastic.

[Anonymous User]

I am in the same boat OP. I think maintaining your relationships, particularly if you are staying in the same market, is pretty important. The way you leave goes a long way in maintaining your reputation with the firm. Work from home and don't ask for more work, but I wouldn't do anything drastic.

Thank you—that’s what I’ve been thinking. I am going to work hard with what I’ve got but nothing over the top.

[Anonymous User]

I don't think it's particularly drastic to turn down work or take a vacation when you expect to leave the firm within the next 2-3 months. Personally I would be professional about the work I have but also wouldn't try to jump as high as expected in this job. People will remember if you leave things a mess, but I doubt they will remember that you said you were too busy or you took a vacation, especially if you otherwise we're respected. I guess it's just a personal decision hoe risk averse you are.

[Anonymous User]

I don't think it's particularly drastic to turn down work or take a vacation when you expect to leave the firm within the next 2-3 months. Personally I would be professional about the work I have but also wouldn't try to jump as high as expected in this job. People will remember if you leave things a mess, but I doubt they will remember that you said you were too busy or you took a vacation, especially if you otherwise we're respected. I guess it's just a personal decision hoe risk averse you are.

Agreed on the vacation part. I wouldn't take a month off, but taking a week off is definitely fine.

[existentialcrisis]

I don't think it's particularly drastic to turn down work or take a vacation when you expect to leave the firm within the next 2-3 months. Personally I would be professional about the work I have but also wouldn't try to jump as high as expected in this job. People will remember if you leave things a mess, but I doubt they will remember that you said you were too busy or you took a vacation, especially if you otherwise we're respected. I guess it's just a personal decision hoe risk averse you are.

Agreed on the vacation part. I wouldn't take a month off, but taking a week off is definitely fine.

This. IDK why I feel compelled to emphasize this point again, but taking a week or two off is going to be way less frowned upon and burn way fewer bridges than just ignoring emails or making up some personal emergency or getting caught lying about how busy you are.

The best way to hide out is to have some kind of believable, semi-extended excuse for why it doesn't make sense for you to immediately take on more work.

Also to the extent that your leaving does burn bridges it will be because you left for another firm, not because you took a week or two of vacation right before you quit.

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

Firm #1: I got the offer at the start of Month X and immediately scheduled a two-week vacation that would begin in the middle of Month X. That gave them a month to do conflicts (if it takes longer than that, there's probably an issue) and it was as much as I could take without dipping into my departure payout. I reminded partners about it like three times to ensure I would only finish up what I was already on and wouldn't get put on anything new (except for really minor stuff), and then gave notice the morning I got back. After notice I deliberately avoided scheduling an official departure date and pushed back my start date at the new firm so I could have more time as a "lame duck." Was able to last until the end of Month X+1, so basically two months of wind-down, during which I billed probably 50 total hours. No one ever got mad because I never left anyone dry, or even turned down any work; just made a timeline on which it was impossible to staff me.

Firm #2 paid out all accrued vacation time so there was no point in taking one. I just gave notice right when it looked like I was about to be fucked on six different deals. Finished anything that had to be mine and asked to transition anything someone else could do. Tried the same "leave the departure date open" tactic and was told my employment was ending the following Friday, no discussion. Won't always work, lol.

I always maximized the money and minimized the hours as soon as I knew I wouldn't be staying at a firm. Never lost a wink of sleep over it. Gotta save your burnout when you can if you expect to have a long career in Biglaw.

[Antetrust]

Firm #1: I got the offer at the start of Month X and immediately scheduled a two-week vacation that would begin in the middle of Month X. That gave them a month to do conflicts (if it takes longer than that, there's probably an issue) and it was as much as I could take without dipping into my departure payout. I reminded partners about it like three times to ensure I would only finish up what I was already on and wouldn't get put on anything new (except for really minor stuff), and then gave notice the morning I got back. After notice I deliberately avoided scheduling an official departure date and pushed back my start date at the new firm so I could have more time as a "lame duck." Was able to last until the end of Month X+1, so basically two months of wind-down, during which I billed probably 50 total hours. No one ever got mad because I never left anyone dry, or even turned down any work; just made a timeline on which it was impossible to staff me.

Firm #2 paid out all accrued vacation time so there was no point in taking one. I just gave notice right when it looked like I was about to be fucked on six different deals. Finished anything that had to be mine and asked to transition anything someone else could do. Tried the same "leave the departure date open" tactic and was told my employment was ending the following Friday, no discussion. Won't always work, lol.

I always maximized the money and minimized the hours as soon as I knew I wouldn't be staying at a firm. Never lost a wink of sleep over it. Gotta save your burnout when you can if you expect to have a long career in Biglaw.

Thank you, I appreciate you sharing your experiences. ^.^

[Pneumonia]

Firm #1: I got the offer at the start of Month X and immediately scheduled a two-week vacation that would begin in the middle of Month X. That gave them a month to do conflicts (if it takes longer than that, there's probably an issue) and it was as much as I could take without dipping into my departure payout. I reminded partners about it like three times to ensure I would only finish up what I was already on and wouldn't get put on anything new (except for really minor stuff), and then gave notice the morning I got back. After notice I deliberately avoided scheduling an official departure date and pushed back my start date at the new firm so I could have more time as a "lame duck." Was able to last until the end of Month X+1, so basically two months of wind-down, during which I billed probably 50 total hours. No one ever got mad because I never left anyone dry, or even turned down any work; just made a timeline on which it was impossible to staff me.

Firm #2 paid out all accrued vacation time so there was no point in taking one. I just gave notice right when it looked like I was about to be fucked on six different deals. Finished anything that had to be mine and asked to transition anything someone else could do. Tried the same "leave the departure date open" tactic and was told my employment was ending the following Friday, no discussion. Won't always work, lol.

I always maximized the money and minimized the hours as soon as I knew I wouldn't be staying at a firm. Never lost a wink of sleep over it. Gotta save your burnout when you can if you expect to have a long career in Biglaw.

All of this is highly credited.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone go through this situation biglaw to fedgov? Not conflicts but background check.