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Something better for you lies ahead I’m
Sure. Just do your best.
That’s all we can do, right? Thank you!
Did not have it quite this bad but years ago was in a similar dynamic with a really successful partner who was also a prolific gaslighter that developed nobody, left a trail of bodies, and drove away tons of highly competent associates over the years. Sooner or later everyone in this type of persons sphere of influence ends up in the cross hairs. Some are fired, but most are just gaslit until they quit or move onto work for someone else while the firm just buries it under the rug and does nothing about it. Cash and the status quo are king.
Is this an isolated incident or has it happened to other people?
Coach
I didn’t realize how much damage it caused until recently. It made me needlessly distrustful of the good people I currently work with for quite some time, but I eventually snapped out of it. That’s what being gaslit does to people, and these firms who let it happen deserve what’s coming to them.
I have not been in this position, but wanted to send positive energy your way.
Thank you!
Is there no attorney there that would supply a reference? In a way, you were let go at the right time. I’ll get back to that. First: did anyone complain between Dec & now about your work? If so, did they provide support to help you improve? If so, maybe you’re not a good fit at THAT firm & that’s ok. If no to any of that, then they are just making up an excuse. Second: going back to timing. These are crazy Covid times. Can you ask another attorney (non-partner) for a reference? If so, you can say in an interview that the partners overrated their ability to thrive during Covid but are not willing to accept that, therefore, I can provide references from other attorneys at the firm. If not, just say the first part: partners overestimated their ability to thrive. And you can add: just like so many businesses around the world. Covid has really taken a toll on business but the fact that this firm is hiring and interviewing makes me think the people here know how to successfully manage a law firm through difficult times ... etc.
You will be ok & I have faith in you.
This is exactly how I would handle it in future interviews
UPDATE from OP: Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and stories and well wishes. The collective information was crucial for me in my search for a new job. I accepted an offer for a great firm yesterday. Good pay raise and, more importantly, the opportunity to work with great people. I’m also now fully remote. So that is a new challenge.
That's freaking awesome
I am so sorry this happened to you. It seems like they wanted to fire you for cause so they don’t have to pay a severance, which is absolutely not okay on part of your firm. Which year of practice are you?
I don’t think references are absolutely necessary. I’d suggest to start networking and sending emails to partners at other firms you’d like to work at, schedule virtual coffee/phone calls, share your experiences. If you can, also get a recruiter on the side to find you unpublished openings at firms.
I know it feels like all is lost, but i am confident something better is in store for you. Don’t lose hope, keep looking! Sending virtual hugs. (And don’t hesitate to share how you feel with people you love, it’s always easier to get through difficult times with a little help and support)
Mid level! Thanks for the kind words and networking tips. I’m on it
... have refused to provide any reference. (Even as to a successful trial where I 1st chaired.)
I’m lost and am feeling defeated. I feel like I was not given an opportunity to grow and the firing partner had made his decision more than a month ago.
Has anyone been in this type of position and made it back? Left the law? Tips on getting another job without the strength of a reference? Thanks, all.
So sorry this happened to you and everything related. Please reach out to your contacts. Keep applying and continue to reach out to your friends, mentors, professional contacts, do you and try to take some time to enjoy yourself. Yes - I’ve been there. Yes - it was depressing, I felt defeated, negative, and mad at myself. Lean on your network. You will land on your feet please keep us posted.
Also wanted to send positive energy your way ❤️ While definitely not the same, I've been laid off before. It sucks, but it's an excellent opportunity to move on and prove them wrong.
Don't take what they said too personal. If you know you did your best there and crushed it, then don't doubt yourself, your skill set, or what you have to offer to another firm. Best of luck moving forward!
Thanks, I appreciate the kind words 🙏🏽
Are you SURE no one said anything racist/sexist/anti disability/anti LGBT/ageist/national-origin-ist to you? 🤔 would be a shame if you had to sue their asses.
Ha! Believe me, I’ve been carefully racking my brain.
This happened to me at an AMLAW firm. Parter was a quintessential gas lighter. Nothing she did was wrong but everything she told her associates to do (if it went the wrong way) was wrong and associates would get blamed. Absolutely horrendous person.
Anyways, I got fired and lateraled to another AMLAW firm where I have never been happier. This post is mostly to let you know that you are not alone, you will make it through, and do not settle for the next position to just to get a job. Be purposeful and try to chose a firm/role in which you are appreciated. Feel free to DM me for the things that I looked for as red flags on my hunt.
I read you have sat first chair in trials and seem to be experienced. Leverage that and just let go of this shit human who let you go. You are more than likely a competent attorney who would be an asset at another firm.
Oh also - to the extent possible try to negotiate remaining on the firms website for as long as possible so you can still say you currently work there on your resume. I believe I negotiated 4 months.
I am going through a pretty similar thing, and it really, really sucks. I don’t have super promising news (still job hunting 3 months later with a really strong resume) but want you to know you are not alone and wanted to let you know that, unfortunately, a lot of lawyers are willing to do shady, awful things like this to their subordinates. It is 100% not you. I’ve had some luck getting references from a former partner who left the firm and from a former co-counsel partner on a trial I was on.
I had a similar experience. I worked at a legal aid org in my first law job post bar, and the executive director (a non-attorney...there is a loophole in my state’s RPCs that allows legal aid orgs to be led by non-attorneys) forced me out for “poor performance.” The vast majority of my cases successfully settled, and the only thing I got chastised for by any superior beforehand was for using Microsoft Word and not a comically outdated version of WordPerfect in drafting my docs.
Oh, this also happened 6 weeks before my wedding.
Fortunately, I had a few irons in the fire, and had been interviewing here and there. One of my non-supervisor coworkers was willing to give a reference, and I had also applied for a judicial clerkship on the suggestion of a friend awhile before. I was let go by the legal aid org on Friday, interviewed for the clerkship on Tuesday, and then was offered it on the following Friday. And the clerkship paid 30k more than I was making at the legal aid org.
I had a successful clerkship for a year and a half, and have now been in my state’s AGs office for about another year and a half. I also got married as planned and we’re still happy and have a baby girl who’s perfect in every way.
Meanwhile, that legal aid org has been on life support, and COVID has made it that much worse. I’ll be shocked if it’s still around a couple years from now.
So, the biggest thing I would suggest is, leverage your network. Call on your friends and get people who have your back to help you out. It might not happen as quickly for you as it did in my case, because I was already looking somewhat at the next step, but I have found that people in the legal community do generally like to help their friends in need. That, and karma is a real thing. This kind of behavior that your managing partner and firm showed will get around, and people will take note of it.
Happened to me-- not as extreme though. File for unemployment, talk to recruiters, and enjoy some time to recharge and refocus. I ended up having a 5 month break before starting at a firm that was a much, much better fit. You are capable of doing good work, you just need to find a firm that will give you what need / not get in the way so that you can reach your full potential. Good luck!
I was let go before. When applying you can be VERY generic. The firm was having financial difficulties etc didn't have room for me to grow. Very few are actually going to check if that makes sense.
Likewise, my firm higher ups have been acting super shady lately and I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Also get a running list of cases you worked on and save it. A new job will require conflict checks.
I was in a similar situation, but I had already started looking for another job. Reach out to solid contacts who may be familiar with your work product. I never thought I’d get fired either, and my boss wrote on my passers that it was “performance related” even though I’d gotten a raise the month before, always had good reviews, and was heavily involved with a successful $40M verdict on a jury trial that ended the month before. It can be done and references weren’t necessary because I went somewhere I had contacts.
O yeah, and if anytime was a good time to be fired it would be now. Money from Unemployment is higher than its ever been.
Wow 👏🏻
Hey OP how are you doing?
Was going to post an update! Got a job!
I started my own firm. All you need is a website, find a local and national association that does the work you do and join up. Sign up for referral services like Martindale Hubble(it's shit, but it'll get you at least 3 good leads over 6 months).
If you don't want to start your own firm, just apply to other firms. I know plenty of ppl that have been fired and they just got others jobs. Firms need bodies. You'll be fine.
Sorry to hear this and I do empathize with you. I suggest when applying for other positions and when the question comes up, about why you were let go, consider saying you were let go because of a difference of professional opinion. Keep it neutral. It was an experience and you’ve learned from it. Much success to you!!!