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Did something similar a year ago. Small to mid. The mid is a sweatshop. Getting paid almost double but big law hours and big law deals for half of what big law would pay.
I’m on such good terms with the old firm they still text me a year later and email me about cases and call me to chat.
Here’s what I did. (1) for any clients you originated or had substantial contact with, talk to the firm and see if they’d prefer you handle letting clients know you’re leaving or if they’d like to. I sang my firm’s praises and told the clients I originated that my firm was more than capable and spent my last few weeks setting up meetings introducing my firm to the client. Firms worry you’ll steal their clients, so that helps with trust. (2) create a spreadsheet of every case you have, the status, important deadlines, and next steps, (3) try to close out as much on that spreadsheet as you can, but you won’t come anywhere near finishing, (4) offer to give them a great Glassdoor review for future employees and actually leave that Glassdoor review, (5) when I travel, I send my old firm postcards from Europe, (6) tell them to call you anytime with questions and offer to work a few hours a month remotely on weekends for the next few months until they can find your replacement. They will very likely not take you up on it but it’ll show you care. Be prepared to help in case they ask, (7) don’t badmouth the firm or anyone there once you leave and (8) refer cases to them after if you can without breaching your ethical duties to your current firm, which I did a couple of times. Not sure if any of the clients signed with them
I don’t know that I’ll return but I want to leave the door open
Thing is, they made the counter while I was telling them about the offer, so they haven’t really done the math.
I know. I still feel bad about the recruiter. This particular process took six months or so for a variety of reasons.
Hate to be that guy but OP, if your small firm is willing to match a salary that is nearly double - you’re getting played. If the reason you need money to “take advantage of that opportunity” (I’m guessing partnership buy in) - you’re getting played. If you are trying to come back for a retired partners book - you’re getting played. Assuming the above, I think you’re not seeing the whole picture and unnecessarily loyal to someone who has drastically underpaid you. Finally, I think it’s good to switch firms - you learn new styles and ways to do things
No. I mean remote, as in halfway around the world remote. Both firms have great wfh policies.
Why do you want to go back to your current firm?
For a very specific reason/opportunity that will only be available at my current firm and will not be available at my new firm. To take advantage though, I need the money I’ll be making at the new firm.
Stop thinking about the recruiter or anyone besides you. Sit down alone in a quiet place and think through how you feel if you take each job.
Does one of them make you feel full of dread? Don’t take that one.