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Currently a summer associate at a V15, CCN top 15-20%. Hate the firm culture which I deem toxic and encountered unpleasant incident. Anyone has any insights as to how to switch firm after getting return offer? Thanks in advance.

Had a similar thing happen during my 2L summer and I switched firms. The ability to switch may be slower now given the job market but it’s good that you realized early into you summer. I reached out to my law schools career counselor to tell them what was happening and was firm about my decision to switch. They advised me on how to tactfully go about emailing recruiters, reached out to alums in the firms I was interested in switching to and forwarded me any job opportunities. I ended up doing some coffee chats with some alums and they often asked for my resume so they could give it to their recruiting for me. I had another offer by the end of the summer.

Did you do this during your summer internship?

Similar grades but HYS - was able to get several offers in a more competitive market after doing my 2L summer. Mostly thru an informal interviewing process - worked with a recruiter provided by my school, who put me in touch with partners at firms that were hiring in an area that I had pre-law experience.

When I did it, a bunch of firms were looking to fill out their classes at the end of summer. That said, I think some of it is out of your hands. The market was a lot better when I was doing this than it is now.

Your number 1 priority should be to make sure you get an offer at your current firm. The first question the recruiter asked me was whether I had been no offered or cold offered.

Then, I'd focus on thinking of a compelling reason to make the switch. "Toxic culture" probably isn't really enough and you are going to get asked. I had a family reason to swap to a market that my current firm did not have an office in and that was accepted with no qualms.