What’s the worst way a firm/partners reacted when you gave notice?

likeupliftinghelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

The founding partner talked down about my new opportunity, said “you can’t leave, at least not to ‘that’ Place. “
And the rest of the partners were pretty silent and hardly said anything to me at all. I was there 10 years.

like

Dirty looks, complaining I didn’t give enough notice, shut out of meetings, nothing too grand. They were going to fire me anyway. We hated each other. I left by shaking the partner’s hand and thanking him for the opportunity. The look on his face was perfect. Be mad professional and they’ll just be dumbstruck looking stupid.

like
Recent IconRecent

Small firm. Principal attorney tried to fight me. Literally

funnylike

Mutual combat. 🤣🤣

Worked at a firm for over a decade. Told my mentor, who knew EXACTLY why I was unhappy and did nothing to help fix it (not her responsibility to fix it, but it shouldn’t have been a surprise). Literally hung up the phone, never spoke to me again, even when I was trying to transition her clients (you know, instead of poaching them). Unfriended me on LinkedIn (LOL). Put a sour taste in my mouth and made me essentially become a cheerleader for anyone who gives notice to me hahah.

likefunnysmart

Very unfortunate. Sorry to hear it.

like

Referred to me in person and via email (to others in the firm who were taking over my cases) as a “money grubbing traitor.”

funnylikehelpful

Wow. Classy.

She got mad, left the office immediately, didn’t talk to me the next day, let me go 3 days into my final 2 weeks, and didn’t pay me for those 2 weeks (she only paid me for those 3 days).

likefunnysmarthelpful

Wowww

OMFG - the managing partner literally tried to make me feel guilty for leaving by saying he rescued me off the streets and this is how I repay them?!

likefunny

Okkkkk, like you mean you rescued me off of the same mean streets THAT YOU LIVE IN? Literally, the same neighborhood - less that a mile from where he raised his family. Narcissist.

like

Didn’t happen to me but a big 4 Partner tried to get my friend to stay by telling them, “well if you don’t stay for this next busy season we will hold it against you if you ever apply to work at the firm in the future”. After that I understood we didn’t matter to that team. So when it was my time to leave I didn’t even tell the partner I was leaving, I just told HR that I was going to a direct competitor. That was my last day. Got paid my 2 weeks plus 3 weeks of accrued vacation.

likesmart

First firm: they said I could have my job back and were sorry I was leaving. Second firm: they were glad to get rid of me. Third firm: unceremoniously fired for insubordination and other reasons. (Admittedly, I was less than an ideal employee as I progressed). 🤣

funnylike

Raided the client trust account! Just kidding. Basically started a real estate investment firm with investors and essentially worked two jobs and started turning down work and was always traveling for my own stuff and kind of irregularly showed up at the end. Happier now, though!

like

Called a partner and told her over the phone. She flipped out saying “no one is faithful anymore” and at that time I was making 14/hr as a law clerk. Left to go make 34/hr at the USAO.

likefunnyuplifting

Following up on this. That partner is now a judge and I shit you not I am arguing in front of her tomorrow.

like

Threatened to report me to the State Bar for an ethics violation because I supposedly should have told them I was looking, and tried to bully me into "reimbursing" them the malpractice premiums they were going to have to eat.

likefunny

I held my ground on the premiums issue and didn't let them bully or guilt me into anything, and I didn't dignify that State Bar nonsense with any kind of reaction. Instead, I was able to walk away feeling confident in my decision to move to a firm that isn't toxic.

like

The silence is tough. Especially if you have otherwise been close to these people.

like

Partner for which I handled his biggest corporate client (massive multinational group). He told me he was taking it personally and asked that I not tell anyone yet that I was leaving and that he would let HR know. He didn’t talk to me for another week during which 3 other members of our 6 member team also quit (this was around October 2020).
After a week I was called into a meeting in which we were going to discuss the transition for the 3 others who had given their notice.
I ask why am I here and gave my notes for the files I had been taking care of. They asked why I had done that and I told them I had given my notice 1 week before. Yup HR was never told. I did not change my end date.

likefunny

I couldn’t get ahold of the staffing partners on phone (during covid). Fully never responded to or acknowledged my email saying I’m leaving.

likehelpful

FWIW, because they ignored me, I got paid for two weeks to basically not work at all so that was nice at least

likehelpful

Screamed at me berated me the entire way on my way out, insulted me whenever I did transfer memos and other stuff was the most unprofessional experience in my life I honestly took a lower key job after it to recover from how freaking toxic it was

like

Not a firm but when I was bartending over winter break (I told them I can only work over winter break because of school) and it came time to REMIND them that in one week classes were starting and I wouldn’t be working anymore, the owner screamed at me like at the top of her lungs and told me I was being so selfish and that she had too many things on her plate to find a replacement. I made that my last day

likesmarthelpful

I gave my notice to the board of equity partners and explained I was leaving because of the partner I worked for who is a psycho. They decided to pay out my notice instead of finishing my 2 weeks because of the HR issues with said partner. Partner didn’t know I bcc’d my team and told them I was fired.

likefunny

I wish I was exaggerating with the use of “psycho”, but she did actually fit many of the clinical markers of psychopathy. I have no doubt that she would be clinically diagnosed. Compulsive lying, dishonesty about events so as to inflict the maximum stress on the other person, inability to maintain meaningful relationships beyond a surface level, manipulative, no accountability or remorse for her actions, totally lacked empathy, blamed everyone for her own mistakes, constantly tried to pit people against each other, superficially charming while constantly pulling classic mean girl bs. If I’m not mistaken, psychopaths are also often well educated, so it’s not surprising there are at least a few floating around the legal field. They are indeed among us!

like

Candidate of mine was told by partner (with whom she had a great relationship) "you better be working these next 2 weeks, we know where you live..."

likefunny

It would be if meant to be funny...

This is making me nervous as I’m about to give notice 😅😅🫠🫠🫠 as the partner is travelling I’m just gonna give them a call rather than wait for them to be in the office again, and I’m just gonna make the call very short given all these reactions

like

You can’t video chat? Zoom? Teams?

Not a law firm but this was epic. Gave notice directly to the President of the company. We had worked together long enough and my manager was a key reason why I was leaving.

He called me a dick. Said he always heard I had no loyalty. This after working for him and getting his business off the ground for 3 years and never getting a cent when it was sold to a major international company.

I offered him 2 weeks notice but told him I would understand if he did not want it since I was going to a competitor. He laughed and said that the new company was not a competitor (within a year we were beating them in market share).

Then he asked me what they offered and he wanted to try and match it.

Went on like that for a few hours while I trained 2 people how to take my place.

Wish the assistant that was instructed to follow me around all day was wearing a Go Pro, would have been funnier than anything Michael Scott ever did.

funnylikehelpful

Similar to others - the immature ones react with anger, or ostracize you, and I have had a few instances where they just plain violate the rules related to client notification of departure. One firm I left was very good - said that they would have me back any time, and scrupulously followed the rules around departure and notification. Being an a-hole to a departing colleague is just plain stupid - they could go in-house to your biggest client, and do you think they'll forget how you treated them? I've seen that unfold, and it is pretty ugly. Just be a decent person - it shouldn't be hard.

like

Related Posts

Hi guys
Got an offer breakup from HSBC
They are asking an acceptance and date of joining .
How many days they will take with the formal appointment letter to come.. basis that will give date of joining..

like

What is your biggest challenge as a plus size professional ... wardrobing? Air travel? Perception/image? Energy/stamina? Outright discrimination?

like

What would be in hand salary?

Post Photo
like

We all know that

Post Photo
likefunny

Apartment gym and pool have opened back up ! Finally!!!

like

Recommend Lupin on Netflix. French series cleverly done and sure to become a Netflix hit. Can’t wait for more episodes.

like
like

Hi,
Is it normal for TCS to let us wait for at least 40 mins for the interview . What should be done in this scenario?

Hey fellow Canadians! 😊 🇨🇦

like

Looking for a job in Human Resources Management. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You

Currently in the team matching phase after good marks on the phone interview for PgM roles. Based on YOE, I’d probably be good for L4/L5. I’m unable to relocate out of Seattle. I’d love to chat with any teams hiring a PgM in the Seattle area / Remote!

like

Are there any neighborhoods that are convenient to the airport AND have stellar schools AND low crime/high levels of safety? We are trying to find our forever home in the Atlanta area, and we would like to narrow down areas to look at…

likefunny

When did you know that the person you were with was The One?

Any suggestions on safe places/communities to live near south San Francisco. Possibly San Mateo or Sunnyvale. Thanks in advance!

like

Deloitte University: Where New Years resolutions go to die :(

like

McK 🐠: can you pls confirm if McK is currently hiring at EM level in UAE? Also, pls let me know if you’d be open to referring - 10yoe in Strategy consulting with relevant ME public sector / mega projects experience. Thanks 🙏

like

IP LAW

Hi - I’m a lawyer based in the UK, and looking to improve my IP law knowledge. Has anyone done the PGDip in IP Law at Oxford? Or can anyone give any suggestions on some good courses / resources? My background is in transactional, but improving my IP law knowledge would really help with my role.

Also posted in the Law bowl but thought I’d also ask the pros!

What does boston pride look like? Just moved here from DC

Hi Fishes ,currently am in jpmorgan bangalore with 7yrs exp as pega developer getting 20lpa. Whats the market rate now if i switch.

like

Tired of all the respectability politics. Just once I want to write what I really mean in an email or tell a client what I really think of them when they ask. F*cking tired of walking on eggshells and constantly wondering if I did or said the right thing in the right way or the right tone to make sure the people around me are comfortable. Who's doing that for me at work? Nobody.

like

Additional Posts in Law

If you could do a regular job outside of the law what would you do?

like

Tips for getting back into the swing of things after paternity leave?

like

Is is just me or it seems that all M&A and contracts in general will be dead by the end of the month? However unclear MAE clauses seem to be, this seems to be one? Cont’d...

like

Apps for keeping track of billable hours?

like

So stuck. What do I do? I joined this firm a year ago (4 yrs exp total) to grow/get more court/client exposure. Then 2 more-experienced associates were hired, pandemic, & all cases are divided between the other 2. I have no defined tasks except deficiency letters or the odd pro bono case. Boss claims it's mentoring. I still need to meet bill req.

Last wk Boss said I'll do more & my work was good, but today said I can't 2nd chair bc I don't have experience. I'm doing less now than my prior firm.

like

For small firms - What was your billable rate in 2015 and what is it today in 2022. Please provide your practice area too, if possible!

like

Easier to go from litigation to transactional or transactional to litigation? I’m currently in litigation but wondering if I I could make the switch later in my career.

like

Are there any firms out there that are open to attorneys retooling (switching from plaintiff to defense in the same practice area) for laterals? About to start my fourth year. Looking in the southeast region (AL, GA, TN). I do L&E but am willing to do other areas where I get caught up to speed on management-side L&E.

like

Does anyone have any insight into Johnson & Bell Ltd in Chicago? Culture? Pay?

likehelpful

Any insights into Lewis Brisbois? Interview later this week. I haven’t heard great things but wanted to crowd source for more data. TIA.

like

What’s the stupidest mistake you’ve made as a young lawyer?

like

Any CT associates willing to share their firm’s salary scale?

like

My company forces all employees to submit an email every day with an hour by hour summary of what they did. Any other companies other than firms doing something like this?

likesmartfunny

What unexpected specialities have you all picked up along the way as a junior? Somehow I became the go-to guy on tax assessment appeals because the other guy went in-house.

like

Just interviewed for a “JD Required” position and at the end of the interview was told the starting salary is less than I could be making as a legal assistant. 🧐🤔

likehelpfulfunny

Is there a market for lawyers to add expertise In crisis management or reputation management? My goal is to counsel clients on how to respond to media inquiries without saying or posting something detrimental to a potential litigation while still maintaining communication with their client base. If so, how to break into that industry? Courses? Books? Certifications?

like

First (second?) year here, already hit hours for the year. Finally a slow week with little to no work on my plate. Someone help me fight the urge to let partners I have capacity.

like

I’m on a staycation week but work (and the overall situation) has been so stressful these past 5 months all I can think about is all the hours I’m not billing. What do attorneys on vacation do?

like

Please comment photos of your home office or WFH setup!

I’m finally getting my own room to convert to a home office, but I’m sick of looking at unrealistic online photos for ideas. Don’t care if your space is organized or messy or whatever, I just need practical inspiration!

likehelpful

For the litigators...do your state courts use electronic filing similar to ECF or do only some counties/parishes use electronic while others are stuck in the olden times. If not, what do you think the refusal to adapt comes from?

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

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

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