Does anyone have advice for switching to a competing (boutique) firm without causing animosity? I’m a first year, and my current firm took me in like a stray cat and nurtured me, but now their direct competitor (and better) firm is trying to poach me. I’m caught between loyalty for my current firm and a better career trajectory at firm B (partnership track, more $, rockstar senior attorneys, better cases). I just feel HEAVY guilt and would want to reduce any ill feelings if I do leave. Possible?

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You have to consider the reason behind your move. Plans for the future, career path, additionally money are all valid reasons to leave if your current job didn’t lay out a plan for you. It’s a business though so I don’t think they’ll feel badly about it.

A word of advice though, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It seems like your current job treats you right (something hard to walk away from). Make sure you aren’t transitioning to a worse office with just hopes of more money and “track for partnership” better to know everything and have that plan known.

likehelpfulsmart

Better the devil you know than the devil you dont.

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I am in a small boutique firm. If I was your boss I would feel slightly betrayed but I would also recognize the benefits to you from this other firm and know you need to do what’s best for you. I might be pissed as hell at the other firm for poaching but I would not see that as your fault. Do not bad mouth your prior firm to new firm no matter how much they want to hear gossip. That will get back to the old firm. Good luck.

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Is it the firm directly trying to poach you or is it a external recruiter saying this firm is interested in you? It’s a critical question. Also, even if it’s the firm directly, you have to question their motives of poaching a 1st year associate. Are they more interested in hurting/annoying your current firm or are they actually interested in you as an attorney that can provide value to them.

likeupliftingsmarthelpful

My response to your question is: Are you kidding?

Why wouldn’t you approach your current firm and ask for the same package or a better package so you are absolutely sure they can’t give you what you want? First and in the context of a discussion about the other offer. Naming the other firm is unnecessary

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An associate at our firm got a better offer and brought it to us and we matched his offer. OP: when you say they nurtured you, how many firms do you think do that? Do you want more money and prestige, or do you want people who care about you as a person and professional?

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Your post raises all sorts of alarm bells - think twice before you go for the greener grass. It sound like your current firm treats you right and likes you. It’s worth gold in our industry. Also, people who like and nurture you make you partner - not people who hire from competitors, those guys hire lateral partners.

likeupliftinghelpful

Everyone raises good points, but this is the truth - nurturers create their partners, poachers buy their partners.

You say the partnership opportunities are better at this potential firm, why do you believe this? Did your current firm disclose you have no advancement opportunities?

likesmart

Honestly, depends. Have people quit while you have been at your current firm? How did they take it? Sometimes, some firms will never take it well unless youre leaving the state. Its all about ego. They will especially be hurt youre going to competitor. Presenting as what is best for your family...Also, doing case memos so your cases can be taken over. Presenting as more $$$ and opportunities to work in a field your firm doesnt do or does little of...

likesmart

We're in a pandemic with an artificially propped up economy. The economy will collapse. Generally last in first out is how it goes at firms. I wouldn't want to be last in right now especially if I had good will at my existing firm.

likehelpful

How do you know the other firm is "better"? What does that mean?

Pursue happiness and fulfilment before finance in your work and workplace. If you do, the latter will come organically, or you will know definitively whether you should stay or go.

likeupliftingfunny

It is better to stay at a firm that treats you like family and nurtures you’re ensures your happiness than to leave for one that wants to poach you. The idea of poaching itself should let you know that the new firm is cut throat. They will do anything to cut a competitor, and you may eventually fall out of favor with them and they will be just as ruthless.

While money is a good motivator, it is not everything. Self-worth, respect and being valued trumps money in some instances. You might end up with more money but less satisfaction by leaving especially when they groomed you.

Additionally, with the state of the economy, you’d be taking a huge risk and if all falls, you’d be the first one out. So think this through and make a wise decision.
I will suggest you talk to your current boss about possible raise and even that some other firm is trying to recruit you. If you are open and transparent, it will allay your guilt. Your openness might make them give you a raise.

likesmart

You’re only a first year, please realize you’ll get lots of offers over the next couple of years. Also, without a ton of experience, I’m curious how you can tell, aside from pay, that the other firm is so much better

likesmart

This whole post seems suspect. Firms don’t “poach” first years since first years don’t know anything about practicing law. Unless you were a double fed clerk or have extremely unique experience (Ph.D or stellar bizdev contacts or personally know the MP at firm B), which is unlikely if you were a stray and could only get in with firm A, no boutique is poaching juniors during COVID when there are plenty of Biglaw castoffs and mid market layoffs with experience and drive to go to a boutique.

That said, if any of the “better career trajectory” points are true, go to firm B. Especially if you are non-partner track at firm A, which I feel tells you how they really are investing in you. Be nice about it, but no one wants to be a career staff attorney and firm A will probably not even be surprised if that’s the case.

likesmart

It’s going to depend on your firm AND the partners you work for. I’m in the process of relocating for my husband’s job, so my likely departure has been very well-received. However, if I were leaving for a competitor I’m sure my firm would handle it fine - they’ve had attorneys leave and then come back a few years later before - but I think it would burn some bridges with the partners in my department.

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When you were looking for a job originally, did you apply at firm B and get rejected? If so, they may be trying to bring you in to learn firm A’s “trade secrets” (processes, referral sources, etc.). If that is the case, then your value to them may end once you provide them with that information.

Or, firm B may realize Firm A did the hard work of training you and now Firm B wants to bring you in after that training effort has been going on for awhile and you’re no longer a brand new newbie. They are making money off of you by not having to take time away from others to train you and since you are still pretty new, you’re still cheaper than a lateral partner.

That’s great for them, but kind of cut-throat and you may find it’s hard to work for a firm like that long term.

likesmart

I think that you need to have a very honest conversation with a mentor, leader of your current firm. If you are in a good work environment, where you are being "nurtured " the next question is how they view your progress and what are the opportunities for you to advance where you are currently practicing. In 36 years, I have only made 2 moves...never was about the money, but an improved working environment and better client service. I built my own practice, client by client, case by case, and never burned a bridge

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If you died of a heart attack, your current firm would replace you within a week.

Maybe it’s not a good idea to go a different firm bc it sounds like your current firm has been nice to you and the other firm likely won’t be as nice to you, but if your current firm lost a big client, they fire you in a heartbeat so don’t feel like you have to pass up an opportunity that you want to pursue because you owe them something. Maybe you shouldn’t make the move for other reason but fear of animosity shouldn’t motivation you. They likely won’t even remember you.

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If it’s an opportunity that excites you, bounce. You owe nothing to anyone. Much less a law firm.

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Go where is best for YOU. Why do you consider yourself “a stray cat”? Trust me, the other firm wouldn’t want you if you were a mere stray cat so I think everyone is seeing things in you that you’re not acknowledging.

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Did they pay a recruiter fee to get you?

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Ahh gotcha, makes sense

What city are you in? Do these firms know each other and/or interact with each other?

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No matter what you decide don’t forget to be honest, courteous and professional about it.

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