How to Give Notice Once You Get Another Job Offer?

Answer:

Dear M.Z.,


Congratulations on your job offer, that is wonderful news! Although I am sure that you are anxious to give notice at your current job and begin working at your new firm, there are some steps you will want to take before officially informing your current employer that you are quitting.

1. Details of your offer:

Generally when a firm gives an attorney an offer of employment, it will send an official offer letter via mail. This letter will detail most of the components of the offer, including base salary, discussion of bonuses, billable requirements, and any benefits package the firm offers. Once you receive this formal letter, you will want to address any proposed changes or points of negotiation, regarding the terms of your offer.

Don't forget to also note when the offer expires, as firms will usually include an expiration date on the letter. In addition, if applicable, you will want to negotiate or make note of the firm's relocation package and related bar reimbursements (cost of preparing and registering for the bar exam). Lastly, you will want to establish with your next firm, an official start date for your new position.

2. Conflicts Check:

In this stage of your job search, most potential employers will run a conflicts check on all of the cases that you have worked on at your current position, against the new firm's roster of cases and clients. Although it is uncommon, there have been instances where a firm has had to retract an offer of employment because of a conflict that could not be cleared. The last thing you want is to be in this position when you have already given notice at your current firm. Thus, hold off on formally resigning until you are sure it is safe to do so.

3. References:

In addition to running a conflicts check, many firms will make employment offers contingent on checking your professional references as well. Generally firms will want to speak to two partners at your current firm, to confirm that you were a solid attorney and good employee. It is common for firms to ask you for these references, once you have officially resigned. When you are in the final stages of interviewing, it is a good idea to start thinking about which partners you will list as your professional references. If you handle your resignation with grace and professionalism, this step should not be a great obstacle for you.

In regards to when you should ask a partner to act as a reference for you, wait until you are very close to either giving notice or formalizing your job offer. You don't want to act prematurely and tip off members of your firm of your desire to leave before it is necessary. Remember, a lot of things can occur during the time an offer is extended and accepted. Your new firm has the ability to revoke its offer to you, at any time.

4. Etiquette:

Once you have determined that it is indeed time to finally and officially give notice to your current employer, try to do so in a manner that is extremely professional and tactful. It is also a good idea to first inform management or the partners that have supervised you of your decision to leave, before you let other people in the firm know. Doing so shows your direct partners, a certain level of respect. You don't want the people who mentored and trained you, to learn of your departure from office gossip. Once you have notified all of the relevant parties of your impending departure, you may also want to create a written notice of resignation, including the date and your signature. Keep this written notice concise and to the point, and give copies to your managing partner(s) and also your human resources department.

I hope that you enjoy your new position and that your next firm will be a great fit for you. Good luck to you in the next phase of your career!

Best,
Caroline Lee
BCG Recruiter (West Coast Division)
 


About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.