I’m a 2nd year corporate associate at an AmLaw 100 firm in a major city (it’s one of the top 5 firms in my city so super depressing that I couldn’t capitalize on this opp) and I’ve started making moves towards laterally to another firm within the next year (currently using a recruiter). Would love any advice, especially from others who have gone through this as a junior or just in general, especially if they left for different type of practice than the one they were currently doing.
Some background, over the last four months my hours have dropped significantly. That coupled with not feeling invested in as a junior (half the people I worked with the first half of the year left the firm and it feels like I’m scrambling to find mentorship) and I’m worried that if I stay too long in this environment my development is going to suffer (more than it already has). My firm has been going through a lot of internal changes and I suspect they over-hired in my class year (2024), which I think is part of the reason things have slowed down considerably. I’ve tried reaching out and getting other work from practice groups that are busier but so far I haven’t been getting anything.
I will say it’s not entirely the firm’s fault, I will take the blame. It took me longer to adjust than I feel like is acceptable and I spent a lot of time working from home instead of in the office building relationships. I had an attitude shift when I recognized that but I feel like it’s too late to undo the damage. I’m still going to continue to show up and show my face around the office and beg for more work but I think the firm I’m currently at is not the place I’m going to be at long term and I’d rather leave on my own terms than be told “you have X amount of months to find a new job” bc that sounds stressful af
I think what I’m looking for is just anecdotal stories about it working out in the end (either from other attys or HR who’s seen moves like this). I have a mid-year review in June/july-ish and my hours compared to the rest of my class is not giving that this will be a good talk.