Spent 7 years at the same big law firm, when I was told that it's time for me to leave the firm and that I have three months to find a new job. Was shocked and did not expect it based on feedback and performance. Have a suspicion they may be doing stealth layoffs. Regardless, is this unusual? 7 years is such a long time to pour into a place that tells you to leave.

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

3 months is an aggressive timeline for pushing out a 7th year (especially with no prior indication). I would try to push back. Sorry this is happening to you, and I hope that you land in a better place and that they deeply regret it.

like

A lot of firms are up and out. Especially Biglaw firms- there are always more associates than partners in the pyramid.

likehelpful

that’s true, especially now that partner timelines are longer and firms have created lots of NEP/counsel roles to retain people. But up or out is still very much the norm (i.e., being pushed out shouldn’t be surprising to anyone)

like

Unfortunately this is very normal as a 7th year. I’d ask for 6 months instead of 3. They may say no, but can’t hurt to ask.

like

If they say no, ask for additional website time (many firms are more open to this, since it costs them nothing and they don't publicly want to be seen as a firm that fires people).

likehelpful

Is it a firm that recently merged?

like

If this came out of nowhere your firm has a terrible review process. Well run firms send messages long before a three month clock starts and also try to help folks find jobs. This contrary approach is both indecent and bad business. I’ll leave it to others to gauge how common this sort of thing actually is, but it shouldn’t be common at all. Best to you on the next chapter.

likehelpful

SA1, to be clear I’m not impugning you at all. I take what you said at face value. I’m just saying that even at well managed firms with excellent processes your job security is always performance during the last few years, at most. It’s definitely what have you done for me lately enterprise.

Is this a firm that gives 6th years the counsel title?

like

Were you busy? Exceeded hours consistently, was seen as a go-to? At the end of the day everyone from associates to partners have to show their worth in BL, whether through origination or high billables.

helpful

Did you not have convos with partners about future prospects yet? Even if not formally I always think it’s a mistake if you don’t make interests about trying to make partner known at least to the partners you’re close with

like

Am I the only person who thinks this is AI? How do you get to 7th year in biglaw and have these questions?

funny

Of course aware of the up and out structure at many firms. Am more concerned with means of doing so (no notice and three months). Had recently received positive feedback on matters.

like

Related Posts

How is current Hybrid model in BNY Mellon & how will be hybrid model in next year ?

like

Has anybody else experienced (what seems like) irreversible physical damage from working long hours? I worked about a month of 19 hour days 2 years ago (this was the peak of the season where I worked at least 12 hours a day) and my facial skin hasn't really recovered and the experience really aged me.

like

33 year old with MBA thinking about a career change from financial services consultant to certified financial planner. Any advice?

likesmart

What is the resignation process in Oracle?

like

What are the healthcare options like in India? I'll be needing regular care and I'm not sure what the insurance providers are and if care works differently in general.

like

Hello

Is there anyone who is to join Morgan Stanley for technology analyst this year and will be a part of 3-4 months training?

Also, is this training virtual or physical? If physical, then Mumbai/Bangalore?

like

Hi, I am being offered 27L + 2L Variable for Manager (M1) at KPMG India. Will I also be eligible for year end performance bonus? Or is variable pay the only amount that I’d be eligible for?
Am I being lowballed by the HR in terms of offer ? Approx 8yoe currently at 21LPA (recently promoted) KPMG KPMG India

like

How to check the version of SAP Ariba which is being used? And what is the latest version of SAP Ariba?

like

My thoughts on the current market.

Post Photo
likefunnyuplifting

Went from a big firm to work for a smaller firm. The people in the smaller firm are protective of their work and are good by their work too. I no longer feel chaos or stress. I am treated with respect and my schedule is more normal. I am even working more billable hours than before, but it feels like a seamless experience. I don’t work then past 5pm or anything out of the ordinary for this time of the year. I am so grateful!

likeuplifting

Any predictions on when the drop will happen?

funnylike
likehelpful

What is everyone’s favorite strategy when dropping into Verdansk

Hi All, I wanted to know how is work life balance in AT&T. I have been offered the role of senior technical specialist - scrum master. Is there WFH available in AT&T.

like

Hi Fishes

How much EXL provides for the Senior Consultant role.

Some information for which i was offered -
Experience - 5.5 years
Role - Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
Offered -
25 lpa fixed
12% variable
Band - C1
Designation - Senior Consultant

like
like

I went through two rounds of interviews for
a job that the posting stated $36.66 per
hour (FP&A Analyst)…the company
recruiter had told me in the initial call the
pay could be 32-36 because of the other
benefits. If I do get a job offer what range
should I try for? I was really hoping to get
around the 36-40 but now I feel like they
may try to offer lower than what was
posted. Also there was no range but the
average for this position is upper 70s-90k.
Thanks for any help!

like

I've a question on what sections to put on a regular resume. I see some people are using consulting style resume for outside companies as well. Do you think it's a good idea to devide work experience by projets? Or is it better to have "projects highlights" separate from work experience.. something like: intro>functional expertise> project highlights>work experience>education?

like

Does Comcast pay any allowance or provide any additional facilities for work from home? Eg: paying for internet? Comcast

like

Client keeps pressing to diversify their portfolio. Any outside-the-box suggestions?

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

How do I tell a firm I screened with that another firm I screened with is moving forward with full rounds? I would prefer the former firm, even though the latter firm is ranked higher. Thanks for any advice

like

Any news from DPW? 🤔🤔

like

I just finished a big jury trial with a senior partner (SP). There were co-parties w/separate counsel. SP mentally checked out, to the point that co-counsel was asking what SP was doing/if SP was okay. I ended up handling most everything. SP did a few parts but went rogue and did things that were offensive/risky/bad for client. It became clear that SP is not performing like SP used to and may be a liability. Do I tell someone at my firm? Don’t want to offend SP or cause drama, but I’m concerned.

like

I work at a ‘free market’ firm and have developed a very good reputation among partners. Naturally, they are drowning me in work. Each time a new case comes up, the partner will email asking if I have “time and interest” in helping. When I’m at capacity, I take these words at face value and explain why I can’t do it, and that seems to work out ok with no hard feelings. But what’s the “interest” thing? If I don’t want to work on a toxic tort case, do I just say that and pass?

like

I’m a junior in big law and in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve noticed that counsels produce perfect drafts and yet aren’t partners but partners can’t write two sentences without numerous typos. Shouldn’t counsels be partners and partners counsels instead?

like

Thoughts on rep/culture at Wilmerhale (NY) v. Allen & Overy (NY)?

like

Dreading my first year review. I don’t think I’ve done anything to make myself fireable but who knows! I think I have a lot to improve on though. What’s the mindset you take with you into reviews?

like

Maybe I’m just realizing I’m lazy… but do y’all ever get assigned an actual, hard research or drafting project and realize you don’t like the effort? Like plz let me go back to doc review.

likefunny

Fish, I trust your advice. Anyone have leads or recruiter recs for SF biglaw litigation? Looking to lateral as a to-be second year, mostly antitrust/white collar.

like

Do you think sticking it out in BL for 8 years pays off as far as in house prospects/salary go? Or is it all kind of the same after a certain time period. I’m in privacy if that helps (all aspects-trans, regulatory, lit).

like

Completely and totally miserable at my firm and just need a space to vent because my friends are tired of hearing about it. I wish the worst part about it was the amount of work, rather than the completely toxic culture, lack of appreciation, arbitrary and back/breaking deadlines, lack of mentorship/feedback/training, and the fact that the associates act like they don’t even know each other. I cry every day and constantly am made to feel stupid for not understanding the highly technical (cont.)

like

About to finish my first year. I’m a specialist. Only going to hit 65% of my hours (took a 4 week vacation cause of wedding/hm).

I never say no to work and i have fantastic reviews, and the head of my practice (with whom I work a lot for) has great things to say about me.

I’ve been fully utilized starting ~June, but first few months were slow. Am i fine?!

like

Considering lateraling to a bigger firm that pays closer to market or market. I really like my current firm and coworkers and WLB, but I am being underpaid. Based on conversations with my PG leader and supervising partner, I might make NEP/Counsel this year or next. How do you go about asking what the pay bump for that is? If it’s sizable I might just stay.

like

Any corp associates looking to move from biglaw to a boutique? My firm remains busy and is looking to bring on a couple associates. We’re all either hybrid or fully remote, and that’s here to stay. 1500 billables and we’re serious about it. Work is primarily ECVC, Outside GC, M&A. Pay is roughly 30% biglaw haircut, with incentive bonuses for hours and originations.

like

I’ve been having a bit of trouble working with one partner at a new firm. There are definitely things I can/need to work on for improvement, but I’ve been practicing for four years and have had no trouble with other partners/peers before. This partner sent an email to me with bills for one client of his/hers I worked on and now looped in a practice management person to have a ‘management call’ (prob to talk about billing less..) Should I be looking for other opportunities?

like

Any big law associates looking to transfer out of Texas in light of the new laws repressing women's rights? My firm has an office in Colorado and a group of 4-5 of us have been discussing transferring today. Rent/Housing is roughly the same in the two states.

likesmarthelpful

Still want a recruitment bonus 👀. Lmk if you’re looking to lateral!

likesmart

I don't understand why people call themselves "rising x year at ABC". For us who are plain "X year associates", are we doomed to fall?

likefunny

Is an offer after only a first screener a red flag?

like

Kleinberg Kaplan thoughts anyone?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal