I found out my law firm is insolvent and is closing. The partner who told me said she has offers in hand, and wants to take our team. I am skeptical. I don't fully trust her. I shot out a bunch of applications today, but I am not sure how to handle all this. Has anyone else dealt with going from a closing firm to a new firm as a partner's luggage?

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I'd make the jump with the partner for now. You can always keep applying/interviewing.

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Agree with AA1. Associates leave with partners as a group all the time at larger firms, so there’s nothing weird about doing that here. It’s actually a compliment because they have the option to just leave you and let you become unemployed. But if you don’t trust the partner then absolutely keep applying for new jobs, you just don’t really have anything to lose by planning to go with in the meantime.

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I mean, keep applying but if you want to go, tell them you’re onboard.

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Go, if you don't take the opportunity someone else will. You can always keep looking. Easier to find a job when you have one.

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Go with her and continue to apply. This is easily explainable in a cover letter with your resume if it doesn’t work out and you need to leave the new firm within a short period of time.

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Ditto. You presumably need to follow now to have a job but it's easy explanation to other firms why you'd still be looking

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Almost four years ago my equity partner boss took her entire team (file clerk, legal assistant, paralegal, and two associates) with her to a new firm. After 10 months she had left for another firm and wanted us all to move with her again. We all said, “thanks, but no thanks,” and the rest of us are still with the firm we originally moved to. So it can work out for the best.

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I have a friend who this happened to, except the partner was his mentor. She turned out to be a nutcase and he eventually changed jobs.

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Which law firm is this? Is it public knowledge?

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No, it's not public, and I promised I wouldn't share the information. I am not sure how many people know, but I don't want to get any leaks traced back to me.

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If you are referring to McGlinchey, it is now public.

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Yeah I sure was! It got leaked so we all found out Tuesday.

I've had this happened, although I found another job before I found out the partner wanted to take me with him. Depending on the firm, once you establish yourself, it may also be possible to work for someone else if you don't want to work for the partner at your current firm. Unless you dislike the firm, go for it. You can always keep looking.

This happened to me. My supervising shareholder (the only one I worked with) left to start his own firm and took me with him. I was skeptical but it was better to have a job and see how it worked out. I’m glad I did that as I didn’t feel pressure to find something alternative right away. I stayed for a few years before leaving to move closer to family.

What are you skeptical of, exactly? Think the partner is lying and wouldn’t really take you? You’ll know soon enough. I would say you are on board but continue to interview to get backup plans (or, maybe, a better situation).

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