u/XY-Player

I’m a junior lateraling to another V20 firm, and I provided my conflicts check and everything else. Recruiting asked for references (saying they won’t contact them until I clear conflicts and give notice). So I provided two contacts that I think would be fine, but without asking them first.

I’ve now heard that I shouldn’t have even provided references at all until I’ve actually cleared conflicts and given notice, since those I listed could soft decline a reference and then I’m fcked.

TLDR: Will recruiting at the new firm reach out before I give notice? Do partners or seniors ever decline a reference?