Midlevel/rising senior at a toxic firm in NYC in a niche practice in which there isn't much hiring for my practice group. I need to get out asap.

I've been given an offer to join a law firm in the South for much higher salary and a sign on bonus and a quicker track to Partnership. The firm is very white with only a handful of poc firmwide. I'm hesitant on joining, but the compensation and lower cost of living are alluring. Advice?

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I made a similar move a year ago and I like it so far.

But before I made the decision to leave NYC, I spoke with a POC at a peer firm in the city where I was moving to and discussed their experience at length to make sure I knew what I was walking in to. They’ve been spot on in preparing me for the transition.

NYC is always hiring so that’ll always be there but I like it where I am and can see myself staying long-term.

Good luck

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I’d take it. Just ask them if the path to partnership is real. They might be vague but ask for clarity on that process

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Oh, it's 100% real and outlined in my offer letter.

I'm just hesitant on moving to the South and to a firm that hardly has any poc.

Can you gather more intel from recent alum of the Southern firm? That’s a big move, and you don’t want to end up in a similar situation where you’re boxed into a regional market, for instance.

The lack of diversity is also concerning. It might be typical of the market there, but then again discrimination may be more prevalent there, as well. I clerked near Texas and saw only one other attorney of color in the courthouse during that entire year. The culture in the courthouse was extremely segregated.

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What kind of south are we talking about? Atlanta or Alabama? Also, if you have to leave because you’re gonna get fired, then you may be more comfortable getting some money coming in no matter where it is. It could work out: Fani Willis was born and raised in Southern California, but started her law practice in Atlanta and never looked back. the issue of the lack of diversity while concerning perhaps shouldn’t be a big factor. I am in Southern California and I am the first Black Partner in my AmLaw 100 firm. At all but two law firms in my 25 year career, I have always been the only one, often the first one. My concern is that it is the south which isn’t safe.

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I was born and raised in the south and live in NYC. The south isn’t unsafe, unless you’re talking about a city like Jackson with violent carjackings. I feel less unsafe in the south than I do in NYC.

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Yeah, I would ask to if see it would be possible to speak with any lawyers of color there. If they seem hesitant about the idea or push back, that might signal their attitudes about diversity. If they welcome it or encourage it, that may be a good sign that they at least recognize how the experience of minorities may differ from that of the other white associates and want you to feel comfortable about your decision.

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Ah ha! New York is your problem. Come to Texas. It is MUCH better.

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