Has anyone here ever consultant an employment lawyer to manage exiting a firm? If so, what are key considerations in finding the right attorney?

Unless you're being fired for cause and you really didn't do whatever they're claiming, the likelihood of an employment lawyer finding a hole in what McK has done is low. McK, like the other serious firms, has very good lawyers on and off staff.

I recently resigned in order to go to a competing firm. I hired an attorney to review and negotiate the new contract, and advice on what to say and do prior, during, and after resignation with the former firm. I chose an experienced employment attorney in my city after vetting a few. I chose one that works both employee and employer sides and that has litigation experience. I also talked to a few employment attorney friends who could not take me on for various reasons but gave me great advice.
Overall the attorney made me more informed and confident in my actions, but did not earn me more money.
My situation was an easy one, with no claim or past situation. Attorneys are expensive, so you need to have your questions and documents ready.

Top of the list is their experience and expertise in employment law, ideally from a big firm that your employer will take seriously. A few things come to mind ...

To try to be helpful - one key consideration to keep in mind, if you’re considering taking legal action, is jurisdiction. Where would you be filing the motion (NY, CA, Delaware, etc). You need to find a good attorney that has experience in that particular state / jurisdiction- or a national firm with enough good lawyers that the jurisdiction is t a factor.

If you’re just trying to scare them, then just go with a bigger name even though it’s more expensive. Or don’t bother at all quite frankly.

Before you try and scare them just think about how many $$$ your employer has of yours. They have a lot of leverage to drag their feet

No doubt you have a specific question or two. Specifically look for an attorney with a niche in that area. You may have to google, you can’t exactly ask for attorneys who can help for improper termination, but depending on your situation talk to others you trust if you think they might have names.
McK legal has been known to be aggressive. If there is some push or shove involved no doubt others who might have been shoved would happily lend a hand.

Littler & Mendelson is who you want

If you are looking flex on non-compete terms it’s likely better to negotiate with your new employer vs go the attorney route with your former. Lots of gray areas with case law which mean outcomes have decently high variability. If you can make that your new employers problem then that’s way easier to negotiate

I have the same question, but specifically carving a whole team out of a firm