Autumn is upon us, and with it comes a unique window of opportunity for the Biglaw associates contemplating a lateral move. After the exhaustive law school recruiting frenzy of August and September, focus swiftly shifts towards lateral associate hiring. With the needs for the forthcoming year under consideration and the summer slowdown a fading memory, firms begin their search for associate talent in earnest. The fact that many associates wait patiently for their bonus checks to clear before thinking about a career move, can often mean a thinner pool of applicants vying for the open positions, thus potentially cutting down on competition. Furthermore, firms that are particularly keen on having an associate start within the calendar year often factor in the cost of a full bonus. Conversely, hires expected to start in the new year do not typically induce associates to forgo their hard-earned bonuses. Above the Law advises associates to have their documents in check, particularly their resumes, law school transcripts, and updated deal sheets or matters list.
Understanding the state of the market is another crucial factor in making a successful move. Despite the lateral hiring landscape not being as healthy this year compared to the previous two years, recent times have seen a resurgence in opportunities. A good legal recruiter could play a crucial role in analyzing the existing conditions and offering advice tailored to the associate’s professional targets. A recruiter’s sphere of knowledge also extends to opportunities not freely available on the open market.
If the idea of a lateral move has been on your mind, approaching the market this fall may be strategically advantageous. It provides an opportunity to become a potential candidate for open positions now and still leaves room for pursuit of new openings as associates start handing in resignations in January. Therefore, it provides two potential pathways to success. Notably, recruiters are compensated by the firms for successful placements, meaning no financial burden falls on the candidate.