Young Lawyers Network

Contributing Author: Steve Stone, Stone Search Partners. YLN Editor: Josh Crowfoot, Daspin & Aument, LLP, 600 Republic Centre, 633 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37450.

Preparing for a Lateral Move as a Law Firm Associate

I’ve been recruiting and placing attorneys since 2000, and the past year and a half has been the busiest lateral attorney market I’ve seen, even surpassing the white-hot market of 2005-2007 just before the Great Recession. And as we head toward Q2 of 2022, the lateral market remains robust. If you’re a law firm associate and you’re considering a move, you’re not alone. Here are a few things to think about as you consider making a move.

Start with the End In Mind

Focusing on your long-term objective may be difficult but certainly deserves consideration as a younger attorney. What kind of lawyer do you want to be? Do you want to be a law firm partner? Do you want to go in-house? Start your search with the end in mind. Everyone hopes that her current firm is her forever home, but the statistics paint a different picture. A high percentage of associates move within their first three or four years of practice. When considering this first move (or any subsequent move), it’s essential to see how each potential new firm or new position will set you up for your ultimate end goal. How will that role position you for a future move if you don’t stay in your next role forever?

Why Are You Considering Making a Move?

There are many reasons associates consider making a move. It could be as simple as working for an extremely unpleasant partner. Perhaps you were brought in as a litigator your first year because that is what the firm needed, but you really want to be a transactional lawyer. Maybe you feel you’re not getting the substantive experience you see your peers getting at other firms and want to ensure your skillset is appropriately on track. Or you might be looking for more sophisticated work or increased compensation. Whatever your reasons, it makes sense to talk to a mentor to confirm that your reasoning is sound.

Should You Work with a Recruiter?

You should consider working with a recruiter if your credentials are strong enough and if your experience and skillset are a close match for the open role. A common misperception is that candidates have a better chance if they self-submit or go through a friend. This is not necessarily true. Most larger firms (and many small and mid-sized firms) rely on recruiters, and the associated fee does not detract from an attorney’s candidacy. The only exception is if your background is not aligned with the open role or your academic credentials are outside of the firm’s standard criteria. In choosing a recruiter, a referral from another attorney who has had a good experience is a tried and true way to go. When you are initially vetting a recruiter, assess the following: the recruiter’s experience level; is he on the ground and well networked in the geographic market you’re pursuing; is she knowledgeable about the landscape and able to provide information beyond what you could find on your own; and most importantly, do you feel comfortable and trust that this person has your best interest in mind? Pay close attention to whether a recruiter listens to you and your preferences. If the options he comes back to you with don’t mirror your preferences, this clearly indicates that self-interest is his primary motivator.

Preparing for Interviews

When preparing for interviews, do as much research as you can on the firm, the group, and the individual attorneys in the group. The law firm’s website and other similar resources can be helpful. So can speaking with someone who either currently or previously worked at the firm. And if you are using a recruiter, this is the time to lean on her the most. Set up a call or two to prepare and learn as much as you can about each attorney’s personality and predilections. In an interview, you should be fully prepared to: articulate your current practice, experience, and skills; discuss why you are seeking a new position (remember to always talk about your current employer in a positive light); and why you are specifically interested in this particular firm, group, and role. Lastly, have some questions in mind to ask your interviewers. What types of clients and industries do they serve? What would the incoming associate’s workload look like, what is the workflow, and how will success be measured for the successful candidate?

Making the Final Decision

Making a lateral move is a big decision. Once you have an offer in hand, it’s essential to look back at the reasons you began looking in the first place. Does the new role address those issues? How does the role align with your values? If you have a young family, will you have adequate work-life balance? What is the upward mobility path? Is the work interesting? Do you like your potential future colleagues? There are many more questions to ask yourself, but the bottom line is this: make an informed decision and don’t ignore red flags. This is your career, and it’s crucial to ensure you’re making the right move.