Question: I am happy at my firm, but I’ve noticed that they recently laid off a sizeable number of staff and are cutting corners financially. The partners tell me that everything is fine, but should I be looking into other opportunities? READ MORE >

Question: Now that it's almost a new year, I'd like to begin a job search to lateral to another firm. Understandably, I don't want to miss out on receiving my year-end bonus. I'm concerned, however, because our firm doesn't distribute bonuses until March. Is it too soon to begin a job search now, knowing that I won't realistically be able to move until mid- to late March at the earliest?
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Question: I have been practicing at the same firm since graduating from law school two years ago and am thinking about lateraling to a new law firm. What time of year is the ideal time to start my job search?
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Question:

I'm a third year associate who recently made a move to another firm. However, since arriving here, I am miserable. The work is not of the quality I expected and my work provider has proved to be a difficult, unreasonable person. I want to move again, but will that make me look terrible? Help! READ MORE >

Question:
I am contemplating making a lateral move and want some guarantees regarding my progression prospects (i.e., promotion to partnership) if I am going to switch law firms. Is this something I can reasonably expect from law firms and should I try to get a commitment from a law firm regarding my progression prospects? READ MORE >

Question:

I have heard that firms are now looking at how many employers I've had since law school. I've practiced for 4 years and moved twice. That's not a lot! Why would a firm refuse to consider me for their associate position? READ MORE >

Question:

I am a sixth year litigation associate with a large firm in Los Angeles. This year the firm promoted only two associates to partner and neither one works in the Los Angeles office. I have consistently had very good reviews, and the Los Angeles partners have told me they will go to bat for me when I am up for partner. However, the Los Angeles office of my firm does not have the pull and power it used to - which, I believe, is partly why the firm did not promote anyone from our office. While I am happy at the firm, I can not help but be concerned for my future and opportunity for advancement. Meanwhile, I have a friend who moved to a boutique firm several years ago, and he was just promoted to partner as a sixth year associate! What should I do? READ MORE >

Question:

I am a second year associate at a mid-size firm where there have been lay-offs. I know I am fortunate to still have a job but I feel disillusioned. This isn't what I signed up for. I worked so hard in law school and had my future mapped out. Now the whole legal industry is changing. I am asking myself a whole lot of questions about my career choice and how law firms are going to look in the next few years. Will law firms ever be the same? READ MORE >

Question:

I am a first-year litigation associate at what many consider to be a top (and difficult) firm. I am stuck working closely with two very difficult partners that always criticize my work and rarely give me any positive feedback. I know that my work quality is not that horrible because other partners have told me that they heard my work product is very good and that these two partners are notoriously difficult to work with. I went to a great law school and graduated at the top of my class, but I am starting to doubt my intelligence and feel pretty miserable. I have started getting anxiety each time I have to hand in an assignment or answer questions, and I feel like my anxiety is starting to impact my performance. I am reluctant to tell my colleagues how bad my situation truly is for fear of being seen as a complainer or a failure. Is this what many big-firm associates deal with? Will I have to just suck it up? Please don't print my name or city. (If you can't tell, I am just slightly paranoid!) READ MORE >

Question:

I'm a third-year litigation associate and joined a new firm two weeks ago. I was promised a lot of work and responsibility, which is why I joined this firm, but things have been really slow since I joined. I keep asking for work, but I'm told to "hold tight" and that work will be coming to me soon. Is this common, or did I make a mistake by joining this new firm? - K.A., Boston READ MORE >

As a legal recruiter, I often find myself coaching my candidates about whether and when they can ask certain questions during an interview. Specifically, I can't express how many times a candidate has called me after viewing a posting on our website, and asks, right away, ''Do you know what they are paying?'' While this is a perfectly acceptable question to ask a legal recruiter, it is an excellent example of a question you should probably not ask during an interview with a law firm. This article will explore several such questions, explain the reasons you should not ask those questions, and will discuss other avenues for finding that information. READ MORE >

Question:

I am contemplating making a lateral move and want some guarantees regarding my progression prospects (i.e., promotion to partnership) if I am going to switch law firms. Is this something I can reasonably expect from law firms and should I try to get a commitment from a law firm regarding my progression prospects? READ MORE >

Reproduced with permission from BNA's Corporate Counsel Weekly, 27 CCW 24 (Jan. 18, 2012). Copyright 2012 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bna.com READ MORE >

Question:

I am a third year litigation associate with a strong academic record, and a solid work history at an American Law top 200 law firm. I am working with a great recruiter, who has submitted me to over 20 law firms, but have only been able to secure 2 initial screening interviews in the last year. What can I do to open up more possibilities to make a lateral move? READ MORE >

It is easy for attorneys to conclude that today's legal market sucks. There has been a pandemic of layoffs, sending countless attorneys into what can feel like a non-existent job market. However, if you are one of these talented but unemployed attorneys searching for employment, one of the easiest ways to increase your chances of getting a job is to cast a broad net in terms of job applications and entertain jobs outside of your current geographic location. READ MORE >

Most of us remember that famous Yogi Berra quote: ''If you come to a fork in the road, take it!'' Earlier this week, I spoke with a non-equity partner at an AmLaw 100 firm who realized he had come to a fork in the road. He had been a service partner for over 20 years and was recently let go. His words were painful to hear, but insightful: ''No one cares what law school I went to. No one cares about the quality of the work I have done. No one cares that I have been working hard at the top of my game servicing clients for over 20 years.'' With the recent economic downturn, more and more non-equity partners who do not have business of their own are being forced out of firms. Having serviced other equity partners' clients for so long, many non-equity partners have had little or no time to build their own books of business and now find themselves at a fork in the road. If you are a non-equity partner who is at your ''fork in the road,'' Yogi's unique insights might prove helpful. READ MORE >

The other day, I received a call from a junior litigation associate looking to make a move from top law in Chicago. We spoke at length about her academic credentials, litigation experience (including her reviews and current standing with her firm), and reasons for seeking another position. Uncertain economy aside, this was a rock-star candidate and one that I would normally jump to represent. In fact, even in these times, I seriously considered representing her because her credentials and litigation experience were outstanding. READ MORE >

BCG Attorney Search is a legal placement firm and not a legal recruiting firm. There is a huge difference. Read more about this here.

If you are contemplating a lateral move, conventional wisdom dictates that you should keep your intentions confidential until you have accepted an offer at another firm. If your current employer learns that you are interviewing elsewhere, the effect on your career can be very negative. This is true both in the short run and in the long run. READ MORE >

Unless you are part of a shrinking minority of lawyers who spend their careers at one firm, chances are you'll be changing jobs several times during your working life. READ MORE >

Much of what there is to say about legal careers and marketing has already been said. Get a great education. Follow your interests. Do great work. Find a good mentor. Provide outstanding customer service to clients and partners and treat support staff with respect. READ MORE >

You've spent the last few months updating your resume, working with your recruiter, evaluating firms, and interviewing. Finally, all of the hard work has paid off, and what you have been waiting for has arrived: the offer. However, while you may feel a sense of relief, accomplishment, and happiness, you may also feel a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. This is a serious decision to make, and before making it, you should weigh certain factors carefully. READ MORE >