The only constant is change. Most lawyers will, at one time or another, make a lateral move. Whether for money, a more convenient commute, or simply averting burn out, lawyers, like most professionals, are drawn to new opportunities. There are a lot of firms in the US – over 417,000 – so the competition for talent is fierce.
Indeed, while lateral hiring cooled following the pandemic, the lateral hiring market began to heat up again in 2024. According to the National Association of Law Placement (“NALP”), lateral associate hiring accounted for 58.8% of all lateral hiring in 2024, which increased nearly 25% from 2023. However, for many laterals, the ability to jump into the trenches immediately, so to speak, may be slowed by a need for training, education, and retooling by the new employer.
Starting a new job always brings a mix of excitement and trepidation. With that said, experienced associates often feel more comfortable than those directly out of law school to dive into new tasks, and relish the chance to engage in a new field and expand their legal repertoire. However, it is important for a new associate to remember that, while their new firm may be excited to bring them on board, their presence also presents a potential burden, particularly if the associate is also changing practice areas.
Here are a few tips that can help smooth a lateral move.
1. Take the Time to Organize and Familiarize Yourself Internally
Starting a new job means learning new systems and efficiencies. If a lateral associate’s new firm does not expect their newest employees to achieve certain billable requirements immediately, use a portion of your first weeks to develop your own organizational systems using the tools at your disposal. This goes beyond watching the perfunctory training videos most firms require (though that is still important). Examples might include customizing your e-mail inbox using Rules and Categories to maintain order in your correspondence, developing spreadsheets to track your assignments, and testing other tools that can help to make the search for unfamiliar information easier. If you had systems you were unable to implement at your old job, now is the time for action. One should not be afraid of redundancies either, as experimenting with different systems is the best way to cultivate a sense of control and empowerment around a career transition.
2. Communicate with Your Partners Early and Often
Good partners will understand that the transition to a new firm, regardless of previous experience, is a process. However, this is not a license to sit on your hands and wait for your managers to reach out to you. Whether you’re in person or working remotely, you can make your presence known to the partners, both by requesting work, and simply getting to know them. The more comfortable they are with you, the more likely you are to succeed under their tutelage.
3. Know When to Ask, and When to Search.
An effective partner will always tell an associate, whether fresh from law school or with several years of experience, something akin to, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Indeed, with their heavy caseloads and limited time, most partners would rather the associate not spin their wheels trying to figure out a question which, when informed by their experience, has an easy solution. However, associates should be cautious not to abuse this notion and should feel empowered to search for answers on their own. This requires considerations, for example, of whether the answer can be found publicly (in which case at least a preliminary search may be in order), or if it is practice- or matter-specific, in which case a question to the partner is more understandable.
4. Welcome Work (within reason)
A good partner will be cautious about overloading a new lateral associate, but chances are their workloads are only growing. New lateral associates should be honest with the partners (and themselves) about their workloads, and endeavor not to bite off more than they can initially chew. While partners will likely be eager to involve you in their cases, everyone has their limits, and quality is always more important than quantity.
Ultimately, lateral associates have more advantages than detriments. Indeed, they already have experience, they do not need to be educated on basic activities like motions practice or answering pleadings. However, it is important to remember that, when starting somewhere new, you are not the only one making adjustments.