Ex-firm is asking me to reimburse 10K relocation bonus due to leaving <12mos. (Stayed for roughly 10). Would there be any way out of this?

FishBowl is def the place to get legal advice...

Don't forget about tax implications.

Typically manager enforces this. HR doesn't have much time to monitor everyone leaving and coming in. If you're on good terms with manager then talk to them. For taxes, keep this as record for next years taxes and use these for unreimbursed work expenses & talk to your tax guy to see if you could lower your tax liability by this amount. Either that or ask him to amend last years taxes and not include this money on w2. Tough luck but twelve months is pretty standard and like someone else suggested try asking for a prorated amount.

You could ignore them. Unlikely they will pursue legal action, but you would effectively be blacklisted from the firm in the future

It's possible that your reasons for leaving are relevant here - if you came, took the bonus and just decided to leave for even greener pastures then there's probably something in your contract stipulating the terms of the bonus. If they fired you, it might be different.

@CreditSuisse 1 - I am an attorney FYI although normally my advice comes with a large price tag attached

^ The reimbursement requirement is usually detailed in the offer letter and you accept these terms when you sign. A lawyer may be able to help you, it worked for a friend. For everyone else, always keep track of any strings attached to your bonuses, education reimbursement, etc, and ask your new employer to cover them plus taxes before you accept.

Thanks again for the input everyone, I appreciate it. I do not believe I signed a contract, but an email was forwarded to me stating the reimbursement terms. If I were to ask for a prorated amount, would that need to be discussed/negotiated with HR?