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It’s okay to feel guilty because you like the people who will be left behind. But try to think about it this way—if they’re truly great people, they wouldn’t want you feeling the way you’ve described here. Also keep in mind that as partners, they had the ability to hire to solve this problem and either couldn’t or wouldn’t. If they couldn’t hire anyone, then they’re aware of the issue and will understand that their inability to fix it became unsustainable. If they wouldn’t, then you’re better off.
FWIW, and maybe this is just my biglaw trauma, 2200 hours isn’t crazy in the grand scheme of things. I ABSOLUTELY know that it feels terrible. But if the firm is expecting at least 1800 from each associate, then an extra 400 hours on top of that isn’t necessarily enough to justify a new hire. There needs to be close to 1800 (or whatever number) hours, or the potential for those hours, for that person at their level in their practice area. So unless 4-5 people at your same level are doing crazy extra hours, there may be someone behind the scenes who is blocking a new hire for “lack of a business case.” So unless the people who left were all the same level/same practice area, it’s possible that’s what’s going on—everyone is taking on more because there isn’t enough at various levels/various practice areas to justify a new hire because that person couldn’t take it all on anyway.
Who knows? Maybe your departure will kick their asses into gear and they’ll hire the help your colleagues need. But as someone who abruptly left a toxic interpersonal situation (toxic associates/one brand new partner) and was the only associate doing 2000+ hours of specialized work, I was terrified my very-much liked partner and mentor would never speak to me again. I felt sooooo much relief leaving that building and she and I now get drinks every month. No bad blood!
Life is short. Get out now and enjoy it!!!
Complained about the workload and asked if there is a plan for handling the onslaught of work, the response is “everything is great we should be happy that we’re staying busy.” When I specifically refused to take on an new case outside of my practice area and asked my secretary to send out a rejection ,the partner told me that I had no authority to turn away clients. I am at the end of my line and ready to leave. The problem is that I am having immense guilt over leaving my team behind. I work closely with two other junior partners who have tried their best to support our group while struggling under the workload. I know that I am leaving, but just the thought of having to tell the two partners on my team that I am leaving gives me anxiety. My husband doesn’t understand why this is causing me so much distress, especially since I am so unhappy there. Has anyone been in a similar situation?
I felt guilty leaving my first firm. I watched other people leave before me and knew to expect to feel guilty, but I still did.
All of that being said, this is a business decision. You believe you can get more value for what you offer and get more of the benefits you’re looking for out of a career. The firm says they’re doing great and nothing is wrong, so take them at their word. You disagree, and you’re acting in alignment with that stance. They’re managing their business exactly as they want to manage it. As far as the juniors go, watching others make career decisions and seeing how those people land is really important. Maybe they’ll stay and take on more workload and maybe they’ll leave, but watching what you do and how you do it is a gift of its own that will provide them with information to make decisions about their careers.
I lateraled last year and when I gave notice you could feel my heart beating out of my chest. I don’t like letting people down. But I had to realize that they were letting me down time and time again and I had to move on and do what was best for me. A year later, I can’t tell you how extremely happy I am with my decision to move on. My only regret is not moving on sooner. So, it may be uncomfortable now, but put yourself first and it’ll pay off.
It’s really sad how these jobs brainwash people into feeling guilty over things they literally should not feel guilty about. These jobs literally underpay us and overwork us and brainwash us to think that we are doing something wrong when in fact we are not. capitalism smh 🤦♀️
Hi, I was in a similar situation earlier this year, as was a co-worker. All staff were being given too much work, and management were doing nothing to hire more staff.. or even replace the ones who left! I was given fee earners work whilst on an assistant job title and wage. I started looking elsewhere as they had no progression plan for me and no way to support progression either. I made it clear when I left that these were the reasons I was leaving.
I got a new job very quickly but the guilt was the worst part, I felt like I was letting my team down. My partner didn’t understand the guilt either! But I started my new job about 6 weeks ago and I feel like a brand new person.
I went for lunch at the weekend with my ex-coworker and we both commented that we didn’t realise how stressed we were until we were out.
You’re not alone in feeling guilty, but you have to do what is right for you!
Yes, the first time I resigned from my law job I cried as I was doing it. I was so young lol. Now, I’ll feel guilty for a moment but also accept that this is a choice and remind myself of why I made that choice and look forward towards the future