Mid-Level here. Giving notice and transitioning matters. Partner is demanding that I take a pro bono matter I have been staffed on to the new firm. Partner says I will be burning bridges, ruining relationships, and violating my ethical obligations if I don’t take “my” client with me. I didn’t bring the client in, just answered the firm’s call for assistance. Partner has indicated he will call my new firm and make demands. Has this ever happened to any of you associates? Advice?

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Ridiculous. Do not give in to the partner’s demands. Contact the pro bono coordinator at your firm and ask them to look for another associate to take over the matter. If they find an associate before your last day, simply advise the partner that the associate they found will be stepping in.

likesmart

Thanks, appreciate the confirmation that this is indeed ridiculous. I really want to focus on settling in at the new place and this seems like an unnecessary distraction.

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Just tell that partner you changed your mind and now you’re going in house. He’ll be nice to you now.

likefunny

Your partner is an idiot and can certainly take the matter 🤣

likefunny

If the partner wants you to take the pro bono client, ask the partner what other paying clients he’d like you to take to the new firm.

likesmart

This is the best thing I’ve read on here in a while.

funny

‘Violating ethical obligations’ is the biggest lol here. Don’t let them bully you. I would tell them that you will not be taking over any pro bono clients. It’s not even your client. There’s always a matter responsible partner in charge. You aren’t even allowed to have your own clients.

I’m also sure new firm will back you if it comes to it and you need to politely explain that there is a problem partner at your old firm being weird.

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Thanks for the sanity check!

lol no way, passing down a hot mess of a pro bono matter to an innocent junior when leaving the firm is a time honored tradition

likefunny

I had a partner ask me to strongly consider taking a pro Bono matter with me to the new firm. The only reason he was asking was because I did all the work on the matter and with me leaving, he would have to actually contribute and work with the new associate 🙄

EDIT- as others have said, this partner is beyond ridiculous and there is also no guarantee you would even be able to bring the matter to the new firm.

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Do you even need to tell your current firm when you hand in notice that you’re going to a new firm?

likefunny

That’s exactly what’s going on here. Current firm is a big litigation shop - I say find someone else to step in!

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I’m sorry you’ve had to experience this from said partner, it’s not normal

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The Chicago office?

As others have said, the partner is being ridiculous. Tell him firmly that you will not be taking the client with you and will take appropriate steps to transition the matter to another associate when one has been assigned.

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Thanks! What I described above happened after I politely declined and set out a transition plan. Fun times!

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I should add that the matter is currently filing JSRs every 60 days and I said I would handle the next deadline so the firm would have 60 days to find someone to step in.

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