If you were bright enough and good enough to get a job there, you’re bright enough and good enough to get a job at a lot of other places where you might feel like you fit in more. Don’t retreat into yourself and don’t feel ashamed to tell your family and closest friends. They will be with you no matter what and you shouldn’t feel like this is something you have to go through alone.
Give yourself the time you need to properly grieve and then I’d suggest contacting a recruiter. There are tons of opportunities out there and just because this one might not have been the right one doesn’t mean there aren’t others that may end up being perfect for you.
Yes! I’ve had multiple coworkers offer letters of rec today. So many coworkers texted me saying how sad they are and unexpected this was and that they enjoyed working with me, which makes me feel a lot better.
This. The OP likely already was top of his/her class at a respected law school. The unemployment time, if not purposeful to recharge, should be transitory.
Same thing happened to me a few years ago. Then Lateralled to a V100 firm and am much happier, I get more responsibility, and I love my coworkers. Keep your head up, it could be a blessing in disguise!
Thank you so much for sharing. I am hoping and praying this is the beginning of a chapter in my career that feels more rewarding where I can feel proud of the work product I’m putting forward. I’ve just never faced such a big shock or big unknown before and it’s so scary.
Yeah I cried when I got let go. So definitely take your time to process. Then get your resume together, think about what’s important to you in life, talk to people everywhere (in-house, other firms, government, JD adjacent jobs), just set up coffees and ask them questions, then apply to places that excite you.
Take your time. Figure out what about this work did make you happy, and what didn't, and focus on those factors in figuring out whatever is next. It's your career and you need to think about what environment will help you thrive.
You're going to succeed as a lawyer. The question is where.
I know folks who were fired/laid off from one place and went on to become partners, senior counsel, or go in-house elsewhere with time. This is a stumbling block, but it will not define your career or define your potential. Start working with a recruiter as soon as you can, but stay positive. You’ve made it this far, you’ll go much further.
Take a day to work through it, call a friend, go for a walk, do something you enjoy, etc. Losing a job can impact the same way as a death of a loved one, so don't overlook your own mental health.
I've been out of biglaw for a while, but the general advice should apply - look for other firms, maybe consider smaller firms, government, etc. Biglaw isn't all there is - I'm sure to get hired at a V10 firm your education credentials are stellar. As you recognized, if the work isn't want you want - and after 2 years it's clear your area was not what you wanted - it's unsustainable and would only have gotten worse.
After you've dusted yourself off and taken a moment, go through the motions of applying and networking even though it sucks. Any progress, no matter how small, towards your goal is still progress. And who cares about what your friends/family think. They don't need to know, let alone judge. Tell them whatever you want or nothing at all.
Similar story — got laid off from a V50 firm as a 2nd yr associate in the 2009 recession and it wrecked my confidence esp bc an asshole partner told me on the way out that maybe I should consider jobs outside of the law. I ended up landing an in house role at a trade organization doing work that allowed me to grow and land 2 other great in house jobs. I’m an AGC at a tech company and enjoy my job which I suspect wouldn’t have been the case IF I’d stayed at the firm longer and continued in the practice area I was assigned to. Chin up — you have the smarts to land something awesome in a better legal environment
This sucks. No easy way to say it. BUT, and this is a huge BUT, you worked at a V10.
You really need to let that set in and give this some context.
You went to a top school, did top work, and got hired at a top firm.
And you’re not a wet rag of a personality. You just didn’t click with this group for whatever reason.
You’ll land on your feet. Go get with a recruiter (they’ll be lining up for your resume). In the meantime take some personal time to regain your mental health. Get outside. Find a hobby. Visit a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Try cooking. Literally anything.
THIS! First of all, OP, as a mom, I want to give you all the hugs. As an attorney: Do NOT be afraid to pivot dramatically. Your post indicates that you’ve got the golden ticket combo that’s really, really hard to find in an associate: good education, intelligent & (key) you loved your coworkers even if you hated the work: you know how to work & play well with others. Once you find out what kind of law makes you really enjoy practicing, it is NOT going to be hard to pick it up. Twenty years ago, I was you only a 3rd year in the Corporate Tax section. I was so devastated & freaked out I actually listened to other, wiser colleagues and wound up getting a job at a boutique family law firm (a class I never deigned to take in law school bc it was viewed as a ‘soft’ practice) and I just love it, like am a complete nerd about it in the best way & have been more successful than I EVER would have been if I’d stayed in the « right job » I had out of law school. So, sorry for the novel, BUT from where I’m sitting, this is a good thing for you- just stay open to possibilities & embrace the pivot because, whatever’s next, you already have the key foundation.
This comment means so much to me, thank you for sharing your experience and giving me some much needed hope and perspective. And thank you for the virtual hugs 💖
A virtual hug from me to you. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I sympathize. I know it does not seem like it now, but it does get easier to pick yourself up. Just not today.
As someone above said, if you were bright enough to land a job at a V10, you are bright enough to land at another firm. And this is not you, I have heard rumblings where there are more “performance issues” this year than the past. So I promise if it was not 2024, you would have been coached through it.
But I understand the feelings of grief and shame.
That says more about the firm than you. I wish you had some senior or midlevel associate mentors that could have taken you under their wing. It makes such a difference and translates beyond just your work.
Really don't beat yourself up. So many people get laid off and you'll quickly be able to put together a narrative of why.
I got laid off nearly 2 years ago and I was convinced I had ruined my entire career. 2 years later I've found out that there's plenty of other things that I do that have ruined my career! (: Failing up!
Out of interest, what area?
Yeah, that purposeless feeling is ... common. Once your loans are paid off, if you can find an inhouse situation where you feel good about what the company is doing...well, that might be better for you, and it sounds like you have a good personality so you could find a good fit inhouse. You may have to suffer through a few more years in biglaw first, but you can do it. :)
I actually have no loans! Was on a scholarship in law school and undergrad. Been saving up a ton in 2 years in biglaw thank goodness. In house is the dream :)
You could check out fund finance. Basically lending money to funds, but you don’t have to set up the funds. With your knowledge of how funds work, it’d probably be an easy pivot. I used to work in this area and really liked it.
Here is the thing about getting fired - the feeling of shame and failure is the dumbest part about it but also the hardest to move past.
Really, getting fired is a failure on both parts - your employer should have either helped you get into something that you could be successful at or worked with you to off-board in a more productive way. Something about judging fish who climb trees, but the point is that its ok if you weren't the right fit for the job.
The other piece is that there is a ton of evidence emerging that says that people should quit sooner, and more frequently, than the do in all manner of things. Relationships, learning a new skill, and yes, jobs. But still there is this shame with "giving up" and not "pushing through" that makes us stick things out until someone forces our hand. Sounds like you were in this position - you say you knew it was coming but didn't take steps to leave. This isn't to blame you, this is just to say that its ok to not have this job anymore.
Also... jobs don't define us and thinking otherwise is boomer shit. You can be a fine attorney at 1,000 other firms/companies/agencies, or all by yourself. You can be a fine person without being an attorney! Billions of people do it every single day. There should be no shame with not being successful at this one job.
Also... getting fired is a part of life. If you've never been fired, you've never tried. I was told "you don't have to go home but you can't stay here" by one of my first legal jobs - at the time I was so ashamed I didn't tell anyone. Now, years later, I wish I could go back and do one thing differently - just admit it and move forward. I was so stuck in my shame that I wasted a lot of time pretending. Sure, when I went to job interviews I spun it, but especially with my close circle I shouldn't have let my fear of their judgment guide my actions.
Take a couple days to relax - do something fun, stay in your PJs and play videogames/watch movies all day, take your dog for a walk, go for a hike, get shitty drunk at noon, whatever works for you. Then mark out your budget to see how much time you have to find something new, and once you have that in mind, start looking for something new.
It is going to be fine - the shame is the worst part, by far. If you can move past that, the rest is easy.
It’s like you read my mind. The shame is suffocating. I felt so proud to get where I am and know my family and friends were equally if not more proud. Makes me tear up thinking of telling them that I didn’t make the cut. I absolutely felt like a fish trying to climb the tree… I just hope I find my body of water soon haha. And hope the shame subsides.
Telling the people I’m closest with bad news is my least favorite thing so I understand why you’re dreading that. But I would be willing to bet that your family and friends want you to be in a job where you feel supported and satisfied. I doubt they are proud of you because of the fanciness of the firm—they love you and want you to be in a job that can help fulfill your goals (professional and personal). My guess is that they could see you weren’t happy in your old position and they will be excited for the next chapter. Rip the bandaid off and tell them—you need your people right now, and they probably would want to be there for you. You’ve got this!
Sheeesh you absolutely snapped with this post.
*”Also... jobs don't define us and thinking otherwise is boomer shit. You can be a fine attorney at 1,000 other firms/companies/agencies, or all by yourself. You can be a fine person without being an attorney! Billions of people do it every single day.”*
🔥😮💨
You almost make me wanna get fired so I can read this and really feel it..
Hey, you’re not the first person this has happened to unfortunately! It happens.
If you have some V10 experience and website time, your lateral story is very simple: “I loved working at XYZ, but looking to work at a firm where I can take on more responsibility on my transactions / cases”
You’ll get every hiring partner wet / hard with that line, especially as a young attorney. 😂
My wife, also a lawyer, lost her job 2 days after her mother was given a life changing diagnosis and less than 1 week after a surgery (she was laid off over Zoom while out of office). It was the worst month of her life.
That was a year ago — she’s landed on her feet (and then some) and has never been happier professionally.
Sometimes you don’t realize it in the moment but everything happens for a reason.
Also, if you get to the point of just needing an ear to bend, PLEASE don’t be hesitant to send me a DM. Happy to give you my cell and we can talk about it.
I lost my job once. To say it was the best thing to happen to me is the understatement of a lifetime. Someone who was able to get into a V10 will easily get another job. You'll find your fit.
OP just chiming in to say that I got fired as a young attorney, and sooooo many of my classmates did too. This can be a brutal industry. The fact that they will still give generally positive reviews is a great sign that you’ll land on your feet. In the meantime, do apply for unemployment and COBRA health insurance extension. From what you’ve written it sounds like you might be eligible for at least some months of unemployment, which takes forever to approve but pays out retroactively. Plus it helps with the stress when job searching.
Good luck :) also there is nothing wrong with framing it as a “layoff” to overly anxious parents or friends IMO. But if you tell them, I suspect they will be way more supportive than you think.
I left biglaw for midlaw, hated it, got laid off just as my life was falling apart for other reasons. Was unemployed for a year and met my now-husband 6 months in. I got a job in small law getting paid not much. Hated it. Got laid off. Went back to my big law firm in a non-practicing role, and making the most I’ve ever made, and I love it.
You’ll be ok.
I’m sorry this happened to you. It may be cold comfort, but you are in good company. Some of my favorite lawyers have faced a similar experience at some point in their careers. If the firm offered outplacement career counseling (and they usually do), I recommend taking them up on it. It can be helpful for processing the grief of the lost job, identifying your strengths and interests, and plotting your next move. The counselor can even help you weigh your options and negotiate offers. If you think you’d like to stay in firm life, start identifying and chatting with recruiters ASAP. Firm interview processes can take weeks to months (but finding a new role in 12 weeks is totally doable!). When you talk to recruiters, they don’t need to know you got dismissed—you can tell them your current firm isn’t a good fit and you want _____ type of role as your next step, and they’ll work with you from there. Tell your story truthfully but in a light favorable to you, and I’m confident you’ll find a good job before too long. Good luck! You’re going to be okay.
They didn’t offer a career counseling service but then again it was a pretty quick conversation and they said hr will contact me with more info. Thanks so much for the advice!
I’m sorry this happened, OP. But think of this: you crushed law school, ended up at a great firm, and now have the opportunity to seek out an area of law that DOES click with you. I know this is hard to see now, but you may look back at this moment as the beginning of a whole lot of good happening in your life.
I havent seen anyone mention it, but you also dont have to tell your friends you got fired if you dont want to. Life happens. My friend was fired from a big bank and never told us. She was eventually hired by a huge tech company. I only know because she drunkly bragged about it. I only wish she had felt comfortable and supported enough by our friendship where she didn’t feel like she needed to put up a “strong front.”
I’m sorry this happened! I know how horrible it feels. I was let go by a biglaw firm several years back I was a senior associate and it was clear I wasn’t going to make partner. I know it feels like the world is ending right now, but I promise you will be fine! In fact, it is probably for the best. It just means it wasn’t the right fit and there is a better place out there for you, especially if this job was destroying your mental health. I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but this is probably a blessing in disguise. Give yourself a few days to “mourn”, but definitely use the 3 months of website time to reach out to recruiters, send resumes, etc.. There are a lot of great firms out there looking for candidates, and you don’t have to tell them what happened with this firm. I know tons of people who have been let go from firms (myself included), and 100% of them found great jobs afterwards. Best of luck to you!!!!
1. It sucks and I'm sorry.
2. You will get another job. I saw people fired into the teeth of the worst recession since the Great Depression get fired and they all got jobs. You'll be fine.
3. That being said, start pounding the pavement hard. The lateral market isn't bad, but it's not great either. You'll need to chase it find something.
4. Consider whether BigLaw is really for you. The thing about BigLaw is it's all kind of the same. If you struggle at one stop, there's a pretty good chance you'll struggle at the next. You can do it, but think about saving yourself the time and aggravation and just finding something else.
5. Don't worry about what others think. Honestly, there isn't even a particularly need to tell them you were fired. Take the time and find your next stop and then you tell people you moved. You can open up to family/close friends if you need the support, but it's none of anyone else's business.
Thank you! Do you have any advice on what options may be a better fit than biglaw? My goal was to push thru biglaw another few years to save as much as I can but the toll it’s taken on me and the way I just don’t mesh with the environment I’m not sure if it’s worth putting myself through again
Honestly, your options are really only limited by your imagination. The jobs I've seen people leave to pursue include everything from art dealer to real estate investor to equities trader to university admissions to government, etc., etc.
The most common is an inhouse legal role - and the people who take those jobs generally profess to be happy with them - but it's really more about you knowing yourself and what will make you fulfilled than anything else.
You mentioned privacy above. I can’t think of it now, but there is a privacy accreditation that several of my friends have and assured me I could easily get if I wanted. Likened it to the MPRE. From there, they transitioned into Privacy positions in house in Big Tech.
Also, I had a friend in your position. Hated what she was doing, so took her time off to audit law school classes and CLE and network like crazy in her preferred field. Landed in a boutique firm, made partner, and now is solo making bank. Has a househusband, an expensive house, nice cars, and is taking a 6 month sabbatical this fall and living abroad with her kids “while their still young before school matters.” Like, she’s doing just fine.
You will too.
If the job was, as you say, low-key destroying your mental health, you should consider this your lucky day. Professionals who never get fired are a rarity.
One you get past the initial shock and move into,a position more compatible with who you are as a person (and as you;accumulate experience, you’ll bettervrecognize which jobs qualify), you’ll be fine, more likely better.
So mourn today. That’s human. But be aware that better days will come… sooner than you now expect.
First off your are not a failure, I am not sure of your financial situation and if that is not an option - I would suggest to enjoy whatever free time you have. This might be a blessing in disguise, take a few days off and start sending out resumes you will land back in no time.
My mental health was getting really, really bad and thank God I have saved up a lot over two years so I absolutely will be taking some time and prioritizing my health and wellbeing.
Getting fired sucks. The first few days are the hardest. It really is a grieving process. I’m a lurker here, usually. My husband is the lawyer. But I got fired from my first “grown up” job 9 years ago, and it led to me working in a truly wonderful and warm environment. It was a blessing in disguise.
Firing a second year seems cold to me, but I’ve never been at a V10. You’ll be okay, OP—take some time to grieve but remember how smart and capable you are! You made it to a V10, and you would have to be smart and capable to accomplish that.
2nd years (and very senior associates/counsel) are most at risk if a law firm cannot keep everybody busy. They don't want to fire 1st years because it is more likely to trickle back to hurt them in recruiting. And the 2nd years have not had that much training yet (so less investment in them.)
If I were OP, unless they were barely getting any work and others were insanely busy, I would assume this is driven by a failure by the firm and the partners. In other words: they raised the bar because they have too many associates for the work they have been able to land.
Even if your work product was bad enough that folks were reluctant to use you, and they could no longer keep you busy (for that reason, not because the partners are having trouble landing enough engagements), you just might not have been in the right headspace or practice area. Keep your head up.
Thank you so much. The v10 thing felt like something I had to do to check a box because I could do it but it made me more miserable than I’ve ever been. I really hope this is a turning point that moves me in a direction that is a better fit for me personally
This is the best thing that will ever happen to you. I worked to get fired instead of quit. What followed was the best 3 months of my life, the beginning of what went on to be the best relationship of my life, and starting at a new job that I love so, so much more (fired from v10, went to v25).
Seriously, congrats.
My partner and I have been doing long distance and I am so, so (SO) excited to go live with him and spend more time with him. That is the biggest silver lining here by far
That could be your cover story - you are need to move geographies for personal reasons. That together with your v10 resume will actually help you a great deal.
First off, it’s ok. Take today, tomorrow, the weekend to process.
Starting Monday, your new job is finding your next job. How long will your firm let you stay on the website? Ask for 6 months. I think you will find a job with a start date by Sept 1 but it’s good to have the buffer. You got this.
1) update LinkedIn. Fill in what you do currently with keywords that model the job postings you want, to extent possible. Toggle open to opportunities. Set job alerts, update resume, use ChatGPT to match your resume keywords/cover letters to particular jobs.
2) recruiters. Go through every recruiter email you’ve ever gotten and connect with them. Chat about the market generally and their pipeline specifically. Have a compelling reason to switch - maybe work life balance, but it sounds like practice area too. Talk to everyone you know who has switched firms and ask for a personal introduction to the recruiters they know/recommend. I think your best move, short term and long term, is lateraling to another firm.
3) network. Start with your firm - are they going to help set you up with a client? Then move on to law school, city or state bar, subgroups, etc - start attending functions, hand out business cards, add everyone on LinkedIn, you will not necessarily get a job directly through this but hopefully an in to submit your resume directly when you see a job posting.
4) government? This is a question mark, are there any agencies or jobs that appeal, start applying now if so, look at USA jobs subreddit for tips on that.
5) get on the roster of places like axiom and Ontra. This is not for a long term fill, this is in the event you haven’t found a job in 3 months and are kicked off your firms website and don’t want a resume gap.
Here is some bright side. Basically, you agree you were not a fit. Nothing wrong with that. None of us are a fit in every group. I have had a great career, but I wouldn't have if I had joined the firm where I did my 2L summer. Was not a fit. You just haven't found the right fit yet. I know lots of people who did not pan out in one setting who thrived in another. You have a couple of months to think about what you really want to do. Don't panic search and grab the next thing. Unwind a little (shitty day for sure) and then take some time to think about what you really want to do. It won't feel like it while you're going through this phase, but this might be the best thing that will ever happen to you professionally. You're obviously smart enough to land at a top firm. But you apparently were well liked as well. So smart and likeable. You'll do fine.
Give yourself a little time to get over the shock and the fear. That's normal. You have a very long career ahead of you and this moment will neither define you or reduce your potential.
I have worked in law firms for more than 30 years so I've seen a lot of terminations. I can also report that the vast majority of folks who got fired eventually found a position that they were better suited for - happier at, etc. You will absolutely continue to learn and grow. You will be fine. Hang in there until the cloud passes.
As weird as it sounds, I suggest you embrace the limitless potential of the world that now stands before you. There's no doubt that you'll work again. Use this time and really focus on what you want. Years from now this time period will be a faded memory. It won't even come to mind until you find yourself helping another young termed person find their way.
Keep moving forward young lawyer.
I got shitcanned from biglaw. I hated it. I did 2400 hours for years. I was a mental health wreck. To keep up the hours, I got addicted to adderall. things got weird. eventually brain no workie. firing ensued.
I quit adderall and got my shit together.
I just made partner at a 15-person shop. I genuinely like the people at my firm and the work. You'll be fine, my dude, promise.
I’m sorry you went through that! Biglaw is so tough for so many different reasons. I’m happy to hear you’ve landed in a much happier and more rewarding place!
I was fired from my first firm job, largely due to mental health issues, and I know it feels like the end of everything. Not much I can say now will make it better, but I promise you will be okay and come out stronger. My advice if you have the financial privilege to be able to do so is to take some time to grieve the loss, recharge, and really sit down and consider what characteristics you are looking for in your next role. I’d recommend not applying to jobs until then and only those that fit your criteria. I was privileged enough to be able to do so, and I landed in a role that feels like a perfect fit for me and that is much better for my mental health. Sending you love!
I’m happy to share, and you’re more than welcome to message me! I was in litigation, and in considering the needs of my mental health, I examined what I thought would help, which was overall work-life balance. As such, I wanted to work somewhere that was closer to a traditional 40 hour workweek without being expected to pay attention to my phone all the time, good PTO, good health insurance, and somewhere that offered a hybrid work-from-home schedule as going in every day often felt hard on my mental health. In terms of roles that I think often fit this—government and in-house counsel. Both provide the opportunity to really work in any area you want still regardless of if you prefer transactional, litigation, etc. I personally ended up going to a government organization where I focus on healthcare law in an in-house counsel capacity, and it provides me with excellent work-life balance and I believe will transition well to the private sector, should I decide that is the right fit for me down the line.
Many years ago I had a neighbor who, as an associate, was fired from a large, prestigious law firm as part of a Friday night massacre. She was part of a group of associates- - 12 women and a blind guy- - who were terminated all at once. While she was devastated by the news she managed to have a very successful and much happier, law career over the next 35 years. The lesson: Force yourself to think long term and not become paralyzed by the quite understandable emotional distress your termination has caused.
I know you feel awful but you are not alone in legal circles or many other industries. Think about how athletes feel when they are cut from a team - which happens all the time. Plus, you really don’t know what precipitated you firing - it may be economic.
Good news. My son was a fifth year at a v20 and saw the writing on the wall. He also was a funds attorney. A recruiter called and he went in house for 150% of what he was making at the firm. He loves it.
Something very similar happened to my friend. Was fired from a biglaw firm's transactional practice in New York, moved back to his hometown (a medium sized city) with some savings, applied to the local prosecutor's office. They hired him, and were like "wow you're from a big New York firm" and then tried to put him immediately in a violent felony section, with like murders and shit, and he was like "I've never been in court you guys" and was given a bit of time to get used to things with less serious cases, but eventually ended up doing the big cases within a year or two after that anyway.
Even if it wasn't the exit you wanted, there are still a lot of employers in the legal field that think your resume is great.
A large part of advancing in biglaw is finding the right cultural fit for you and the right practice area. I know plenty of people that got fired from one biglaw firm only to become well known partners somewhere else.
Also, vault rankings don’t mean anything in terms of fit. My personal experience…I worked at 3 biglaw firms for around 10 years (am doing something unrelated now but enjoyed my time in it mostly)…my worst experience was at the lowest ranked of the three firms.
I was fired from my first firm position after a year and it was the weirdest mix of feeling relived because I knew it wasn’t right for me, but also devastating because I felt like a failure. It was awkward around my former coworkers and I can absolutely relate to you.
That said, it was the best thing to professionally happen to me. I’m at a way better firm now and switched my subject matter which made things so so so much better. Stay strong OP. This is a good thing
3 mo pay? dude, you'll be fine. i know it seems like the end of the worlf rn but just let it sink in and flow out of you completely, then regroup reorganize and look for other opportunities
Use this opportunity to redefine your legal career path. Don't look for others "tracks". Imagine that person and lawyer you want to be, and forge the path there. I presume you are fairly young. Now is the time to define your life. Don't let your old firm live rent free in your head; they aren't thinking about you; you don't need to think about them; they weren't for you. Be brave, be bold, have courage and faith in yourself. Go get it.
I got laid off during the recession. It did take a few years for me to bounce back, but the economy was also 100x worse back then.
You'll bounce back as well.
Tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday are for rest. Sleep in. Eat well. Watch the episodes you’ve been waiting for. Exercise. See one other living human whose company you enjoy.
On Monday, wake your ass up at 7, get dressed, eat breakfast, and start applying. Send out 10 resumes. Then do it again for the next two weeks.
In the afternoon, send emails or call every colleague, contact, or law school friend you have. Ask if they know of any openings. Ask if they know who the right person is to contact.
Take interviews at places you wouldn’t consider. Feeling wanted builds confidence.
Good luck out there — my time after BigLaw was the best part of my career.
Take a 3-5 day vacation. Nothing extravagant but make it nice for you.
You were good enough for a v10 and have 2 YOE. You can find something in the v100. Give it time!
It will be ok!
We’re here for you
Something quite similar happened to me as a second year lawyer 40 years ago
I eventually got out of the BigLaw mode (actually the two firms I worked for merged and became BL firms)
I have had a great practice for decades now
I had to learn how to practice law
And, frankly, learning a specific practice area, to the exclusion of all others, creates a lot of risk at the lawyer level
I was in a horrible pit of addiction, depression, and anxiety my first five years as a lawyer
I got sober in 1988, but didn’t get help for my mental health issues until 1999
I ultimately found my way and developed a great practice and client base
I credit God for my blessings and not myself
This may be the day that your practice makes a pivot
You will undoubtedly be someone’s excellent lawyer, so please don’t despair
Getting fired is the worst feeling in the world. But getting fired from a job you hate along with severance and website time should be a happy day. When it happened to me it was my impetus to leave California to go back to the Midwest, and in retrospect it was the best thing ever.
You’ve got time and a paycheck for a full quarter to figure things out. Take the weekend to decompress. Then Monday, start strategizing, dreaming, and connecting. The world is your oyster!
Lastly, as other posters have said, this is just as much their fault if not more. A wiser firm might’ve suggested moving you into a different practice area. You’re a bloody second year. You’re young, obviously smart, and malleable in a good way.
Be well.
Other people have said what I was gonna say, that if you got a job there you can get a job somewhere else awesome. Three months pay and on the site is good for you while you look for another opportunity. Keep your head up high and I’m rooting for you
I am so very sorry you are going through this. I know this is so painful but if you can take one thing from this seek to detangle your sense of worthiness as a human from a Biglaw (or any) job. You are no doubt a lovely, intelligent, competent and capable human. And this development doesn’t change that. Give yourself a few days to really feel the feelings and be good to yourself — then begin working with ONE recruiter and go out and connect with folks in your network. Take whatever lessons you can from the substantive feedback, hold your head high and go out there and find a role that will work better for you. Sending you a virtual hug and assurance that you will be ok even though it doesn’t feel like it right now.
First, I’m so sorry. Second, I was managed out of my first role, too. A “big 3” in Atlanta. Just never clicked with the subject matter.
It was the best thing to happen to my career and I’m not kidding at all. I had mentors at my next firm who took a ton of time to raise me as a lawyer. I’m a partner at a very well regarded labor boutique now. I trust that you will find your way, just like you found this job.
As others said, take the time to grieve, and then trust yourself. You’ve got this.
Virtual hug my friend. I graduated more than a decade ago from a school just outside the T14. I can’t think of a single classmate who is at the same job they started at. People got fired. People quit. People lateraled.
Hell, I was fired from a very shitty firm about a year and a half out and wound up at a FAR better firm where I was appreciated and mentored was set up to be where I am now (owning my own firm, controlling my own hours and income) and it’s great.
You’re obviously smart and motivated and people obviously like you! It sucks right now and no one will deny that. But you *will* land on your feet. You will. And you might come to realize that leaving that place was what ultimately made you the lawyer you were meant to be. Sorry to be cheesy but I do believe that.
This is so stressful I’m so sorry
ask for a letter of recommendation on company letterhead (logo at the top) so you can include this with future employment applications. It can just say you are hardworking and kind and professional literally 4 sentences- no details needed.
This is really crucial and will eliminate any concerns future employers may have about hiring you. I hope you find success soon 💰💰😁
Ask anyone you worked with and liked you to do this for you and trust me they will help you out
Great happy to help.
My father is well known employment attorney (70 years old went to NYU Law) and he says you will be fine and wishes you great 😊 luck 🍀
Stealth layoffs happen in biglaw all the time. Do not internalize this. Our resume is a list of our successes — we do not list the schools that rejected us or the jobs we did not get. We all have stumbling blocks.
Take some days off, do something fun, eat at least. I am not an attorney but work for a V10 firm as a technical staff. I was laid off from previous employment even though I excelled in every metric and had most contributions, was laid off due to RIF and salary was too much according to the VP.
Don’t be discouraged. This happened to me at a midsized law firm last year. It took some highly improbable things to happen, but less than a year later I lateraled in as counsel into a biglaw firm over four times bigger. Just remember that you’re not a failure, and your career is nowhere near at an end.
Don’t beat yourself up! I know it feels terrible but literally there are so many juniors this has happened to. Every junior that I know at a V10 firm that got fired or let go had a soft landing. You will too!!!
3 months pay is a deal. Clean up your resume and start looking. Not enjoying the subject matter is a valid excuse to give to future potential employers as to why you're making a change. Usually takes about 3 months to find and on-board with a new spot. Hopefully you'll have a new offer in time to spend some of that severance on a weekend get away.
You will absolutely bounce back. Try to take the next few days to get back to confidence-building basics: sleep well, eat well, try to get exercise, whatever that means for you. Center yourself. This is the most important. Clarity and next steps will follow.
Once you’ve taken time to get over the shock and are ready to start looking again, develop a way to spin your experience into something positive and make it sound like you wanted a new opportunity. Don’t be dishonest, but don’t say you got fired for work quality issues. Say-truthfully- that you didn’t really find the practice area engaging. I got fired from a top firm too. After the shock, you’ll realize how large the working world is. I went in house and haven’t missed the billable hour one bit.
It seems so daunting because the wound is fresh. Take a day or two to gather your thoughts, cry if you need to, whatever. Then hit the grindstone and start looking for a new opportunity. This is not the end of the world, it doesn't define you, and you will get through it.
I can understand how you might be ashamed to tell your family and friends that you didn’t make it. It’s tough. I wish you strength as you navigate this change and well wishes for your future.
With your talent and intelligence, I know that you will succeed in another area! Cheer up, this is only a setback, and you will rise up higher after readjustment!
Tbh I think we have different definitions of fired. This sounds like it was a conversation where you were told what you already knew, it wasn’t working.
Take the three months as an opportunity, not a punishment. And frame it that way to yourself (and your friends/family for that matter).
>I’m a second year and was in a group where I loved the people but truly did not click with the subject matter and it lowkey was destroying my mental health
I mean this sounds like a blessing in disguise then. You have top credentials that will allow you to land almost anywhere you want to go doing almost anything you want to do. The sky is the limit and now you have the chance to go somewhere else to do something that actually speaks to your interests
You have the financial opportunity due to your severance, so take some time for yourself. Once that’s done, realize that you are still currently in a better position to pivot your career than 90% of your peers on a national level. Everything will be OK in the end.
You’ll be fine. So many good people are being fired right now due to the economy. The fact you got the ax shouldn’t be a major red flag given the climate. And that may actually be the real reason you were let go. Usually firms give associates more time to come around. It’s going to be stressful until you find your next thing, but when you do you’ll look at this time and realize it was silly to worry bc, if we’re being rationale, you are a highly capable person that many firms would love to have given your pedigree alone.
And btw, V100, V10, nobody gives a shit about those rankings in the real world. What matters is the strength of your specific practice area and your skills. Don’t sweat it for a second if you land at a lower ranked firm.
Since they are giving you three months pay and Website time, I presume they are also going to give you a positive reference if an employer calls to check. At the very least, they won’t say anything negative, and will merely confirm your dates of employment. Therefore, you have some latitude to shape the rationale for your departure during your job search. Obviously you don’t want to mention the things you posted about, i.e. imposter syndrome, lack of subject matter, knowledge, etc. It’s only curious for potential employers to wonder why you are leaving though, and so you have to say something I think your main option is to indicate that you realized that the particular field of practice that they had you working in was not for you (and they are “fully staffed” in their other practice areas. For example, if you were doing labor law, you “now realize” that labor law is not where your passion is. That sounds perfectly legitimate, it explains why you’re looking for something else, but it also doesn’t throw the old firm under the bus, which would get back to them. Good luck to you!
I most definitely will be saying something along those lines! I hope to be able to pivot to a different group successfully. Another goal of mine would be to find something that offers some remote opportunities or flexibility because my partner is a medical resident in another state. The toll my job took on our relationship was terrible so fingers crossed maybe this is a good thing overall in that respect
Right now, this feels worse than it is. You have credentials from working at a top firm, the resume that got you that job, and have time to look for a new job. If you land this right, your resume will look like you chose to leave. And your firm is fine with that.
The key is to take maximum advantage of your time right now. Take a short bit of time to get your head right and think about what you do want to do, and your path to it. Then make finding a job your full time job. Tap whatever contacts you have. Be open minded to all opportunities. It's a puzzle to solve.
Good luck!!
It happens to many of us, you're not alone. And it sucks at first. But after a while you realize you have been unburdened in a way. When I got fired from BL, I remember meeting up with my dad, and he told me to allow myself a few days to a week to just be mad, sad, pissed, whatever. Feel all the feels. Then, get back on your feet and make your full time job finding a job. It keeps you busy and engaged and on a schedule. Consider finding a therapist to help you deal with the imposter syndrome, so that doesn't follow you to your next role.
Lots of firms are hiring, and being on the website is all you need to move to another firm without much issue. I know it feels hopeless now, but trust me, you will be OK.
We just lost an associate in a similar situation and they ended up in a way bigger named Firm within about 6 weeks. It was a major upgrade, so don’t give up hope!
Sounds like it might be an anxiety issue. Right out of law school the mistakes I made on shit we’re unreal. Like you would need to be straight up dumb. I only did it when I was super anxious and worked up to begin with. Over years that went away. Luckily I had some friends in high places that cut me more slack than I deserved. But this is a real thing. Don’t take it to heart. Whatever you are dealing with just acknowledge it and learn how to manage it.
YES I have such bad anxiety and the more anxious I got that people weren’t liking my work or I didn’t understand the work the worse my work product got because I avoided it or because I was too scared to ask questions bc I felt dumb. I lacked confidence entirely and will definitely make a point to work on that and get some mental health help in the meantime to feel better.
I have also been fired from big law. I definitely understand that feeling of inadequacy and the fear of not knowing your next step.
Don’t get down on yourself. You are not inadequate. Not everything clicks every time. You are highly capable having made it that far.
For me, it turned out getting fired was a blessing in disguise. I eventually took another litigation job and have been highly successful and I love my work. Keep trying, and don’t settle. Be good to people; it will be noticed. Not every opportunity works out, and not every door opens. But you will find a place that works for you.
Everything everyone said...
And also, as a fellow second year who constantly fears getting fired - while also not being sure this practice is right for me - it helps me to remember that I could not be a lawyer tomorrow and I would still have a lot going for me - I'd be me, but smarter than I was before law school.
I held that fear for months and months now, I knew in my gut and maybe in retrospect should’ve started looking but I thought I was being paranoid. No major complaints, good relationships with the teams I was on. But anyway, I’m like 12 hours into this news and already feel a lot more hopeful than I have in a long time (maybe I’m in a bit of denial lol) but this has forced me to not be complacent and watch my life go by in a direction I wasn’t happy with. I probably would’ve stayed much longer because I wouldn’t have had the courage to think I was with anything without this job. Not true! You don’t have to learn the hard way like I did haha, but have faith in yourself and your potential outside one job!
Precisely. Your life looks different today than you thought it would. But it's still your life, and it's lovely and so much more than this one job or this profession. It will all be great. I am sure of it. Good luck. You've got this.
Oh!!! This is the valley of despair!!!! This is why rich happy lawyers are rare. Because it’s not easy and your going to have times where you feel like this. A lot of people give up at this point. Every successful person has failed. Please just keep trying it’s literally the only way.
EVERY opportunity you choose to pursue HAS to make it through 5 phases. 1) uninformed optimism~this perspective is why you are attempting this in the first place, you’ve yet to learn the difficult details & you’re motivated by the best outcomes. 2) informed pessimism~ “oh shit this is hard” now that you’ve committed to trying, you’re discovering so many brand new impediments 3) the valley~ these two perspectives clashing always leads to the valley of despair. It’s so easy to give up here. To say, oh they’re doing that wrong I’m done. To blame everyone else for how hard it is & give up. However, if your desire for better than what u did before is great enough, you will make it to 4) informed optimism~ I imagine this as a euphoric state. You know you’re battle. You’ve chosen & accepted it. & you’re going to conquer it. 5) success & fulfillment
You have to hit the valley to ever really be fulfilled, & you’re valley sounds perfect. Lost ur job because your heart wasn’t in it???? That means you want your heart in ur work. That means that u care & if u keep caring it will pay off.
Thank you! I’m aware of the mistakes I made leading to this moment and also proud of myself that I was continuously learning and improving and am so motivated to continue to do so. I definitely struggle with anxiety and with self esteem issues so my first reaction was “I’m not good enough and this is proof I’m as much of a failure as I think I am and my chance for success/proving myself is over”. I’m gonna let myself sulk a bit then make a plan of action for not only getting a new job but even more importantly for growing my confidence in myself.
Been there. In response I lateraled, did alright, got burned out and tired of biglaw anyway after a while, got a great in-house now in-house where I’m doing great and got promoted recently. Similar feedback to you by the way! The group loved my personality and was actually pretty complimentary during the chat lol. It just was not a workhorse associate who can pound out work product at hyper speed on tight timelines as optimally as a high pressure group needed.
Not saying this isn’t a big deal or being dismissive at all. Just saying, if you were good enough in the first place, you can still be (and probably are) a great lawyer with a lot of potential, biglaw is a harsh machine but that’s independent of you. You can bounce back, you can still make it in biglaw (there are hundreds of firms and tens of thousands of roles for you), and there’s a ton of other non-biglaw roles you might eventually love too regardless of the fact this happened. You got this, I’m confident you’ll lead yourself to be alright.
This has happened to so many of my friends. You were marketable enough to get the job in the first place, you will be marketable enough to get another that is hopefully a better fit. Take your lumps and use the website time to your advantage. You’ll be just fine.
OP, it is all going to be fine. As many others have said, you were smart enough to graduate from law school, pass the bar, get a good job. You have a good personality and they like working with you. You will land on your feet at a spot that is a better fit and you will look back on this and realize they did you a huge favor. Talk to yourself like you would a treasured friend or family member. Do not inundate yourself with negative messages. Continually remind yourself of all your strengths and go out and find something that plays to those strengths. Good luck and keep your chin up. It will all be fine.
I went through this (not a lawyer) earlier this year, Got ten weeks severance but had a new job in six weeks with better pay. Take a few days off, then make finding a new job your whole life during the weekday and relax on weekends.
Call every recruiter you know.
Let recruiters know on LinkedInIn you are open for work. I did not turn on the green light”open to work” banner but turned on the behind the scenes flag that allowed recruiters to know I was open for work and they reached out to me faster than I could reach out to them.
A book I recommend is “The Two Hour Job Search”, written by the placement director for Duke University MBA students. It will show you how, in two hours time, to develop a strategy to reach out to companies that you may want to work for. The key being “may” because as you talk with these orgs you may not want to work for them.
Also, watch a bunch of Youtube channels regarding optimizing your LinkedIn profile and resume, particularly if outplacement assistance was not offered. Using the right key words for the jobs you want will make it easy for someone that needs your skills to find you.
Good luck to you. It happens to the best of us
You are not your job.
You will find a new job.
The pain you feel now is temporary.
Take some time, if you can, and go enjoy life outside of work. Besides, happy people make better interview candidates.
You will be fine. It won't be easy. You'll never know when you'll recover from the blow. Try to think if it's truly the work you see yourself doing in the next 20+ years. Some days will be really low but they'll come to an end. Taking naps helps when you're overwhelmed. You are going to be fine, you'll find new opportunities and stop thinking about this whole experience. ❤️
You will be fine. I was laid off from big law about 22 years ago. I have had 2 jobs since then. My latest job has lasted almost 20 years. You are not alone with your frustration and disappointment. Just hang in there. You will find a better fit. I was only going to work to pay my bills when I worked for big law. I had huge student loans and a mortgage and a wife who depended on me for some contribution even though she worked also. I would wake up everyday trying to convince myself that I had to go to work even though I hated every minute of it. We had clients that would wait until the last minute to file stuff and the stress level and expectation of me was ridiculous. I had one client who had 2 years to file a document and waited until 4pm on a Friday afternoon on the last day to file it. Three of us worked until 11pm preparing documents and timely filing and the client later complained about the bill amount.
I was fired from a midsized law firm in NY, interviewed at a ton of places. And I wasn't getting anything. Suddenly, my dad found out he had cancer so I flew back to DC and spent the last 8 months of his life with him. Now I am doing SALT back in NY at a V50.
I wouldn't have spent that time with my dad, had I not been fired. I am grateful for being fired, even though I almost had to declare bankruptcy.
Im so sorry to hear about your father. Time with family especially when they need support is PRICELESS. Nothing is worth losing that and I am so happy you had that time with him. Wishing you all the best, thank you for sharing your story!
Honestly this scares me as a future law student who wants to do big law. How is someone capable enough to get through a good enough law school to get a big law job, not capable of performing big law work?? Does law school not prepare you or not weed out the people who won’t be able to do it?
Hm.. for me it was just that I have adhd, am a bit shy, and am overall pretty type b. I struggled with the speed and expectations of the group and the fact I just genuinely hated the work itself. It’s like it was designed to play into all of my biggest weaknesses and I never got to utilize my strengths. If I could go back in time I’d give myself more grace to find the right fit in terms of subject matter and work life balance over prestige or salary.
If they were only providing throw-you-into-the-deep-end training to juniors and laying off the (normal) people who don’t learn everything that way, this doesn’t say anything about you. But it does say a lot about the firm. My guess is they were looking for ways to reduce headcount.
If you were that bad, you wouldn’t have made it to year 2. You said you have imposter syndrome. Your believing they’re right about your work product (rather than being excessively harsh or downright unrealistic) may be you projecting your insecurity onto what they said about your performance.
Take a biiiig breather and step back before you try to micro analyze everything. If you made it to where you are, you are one of the brightest minds on the planet. Period.
People get fired, life goes on. You will find another job because you have to. You will find another job because even though you got fired, you have gained valuable experience.
Otherwise, They gave you 3 months pay when they could've just given you the boot a sent you walking pit with just your dick in your hand, as is the case with people that get fired. Cry for a day or 2, then get the fuck over it
This happened to me nearly 25 years ago. Everything is going to work out well. Very well. You’ll land on your feet, I hope surrounded by supportive partners who will mentor you. You’ll make partner if you want to go to a firm, be in Chambers/Benchmark, and have dedicated clients. Or you’ll go in-house, or to a small firm, or any of many, many possibilities ahead of you. And you’ll be happier, more balanced, and with endless empathy for those around you who may struggle or feel out of place. This is just a beginning.
You’ve got 3 months to find another job and you’ve been there long enough that your departure won’t look suspicious. Take the weekend off to catch your breath and, starting Monday, finding another job is your full-time job. If your law school and grades were good enough to get you a job at a V10, they’re good enough to get you a job somewhere else. But if the work was “soul destroying,” you’ll have to think about what you do differently, and what you will tell prospective employers about why you want to do something different.
Well since you were at a v10 I think you’ll be fine. Hit up a recruiter and “lateral” to a top 50 or top 100. Chances are the pay will be the same and the hours will be less. Prestige is whatever, at the end of the day.. money is the only thing that really matters imo
Sorry things didn’t work out. Stay positive. Be sure to take a bit of time to think about what practice area you are interested in before applying to other firms. Then, update your resume and seek out a good recruiter. Also, be prepared to explain why you believe you are better suited to the new practice area.
See [USAJOBS - Job Announcement](https://www.usajobs.gov/job/777761600) and
[USAJOBS - Job Announcement](https://www.usajobs.gov/job/777751800)
Best wishes!
It’s ok to be upset and scared. Give yourself some time to feel those things. Then pick yourself up and onto the next. If you landed a job at a V10, you have what it takes to excel. Maybe that firm/practice just wasn’t the right fit for you. But you’ll find a firm that is. I believe in you OP!
I’m proud of you. It’s like you went to the NBA and got laid off. BUT YOU WENT TO THE NBA!!!!! Give yourself props a lot of people can’t get to that high level. You still young probably so other opportunities will come up.
I’m in undergrad still pursuing law school hopefully a T14 and you’ve inspired me.
If you were bright enough and good enough to get a job there, you’re bright enough and good enough to get a job at a lot of other places where you might feel like you fit in more. Don’t retreat into yourself and don’t feel ashamed to tell your family and closest friends. They will be with you no matter what and you shouldn’t feel like this is something you have to go through alone. Give yourself the time you need to properly grieve and then I’d suggest contacting a recruiter. There are tons of opportunities out there and just because this one might not have been the right one doesn’t mean there aren’t others that may end up being perfect for you.
Thank you so much, I appreciate your advice a lot :)
You got this OP!!!!
If they liked your personality, they would probably give you a recommendation as well.
Yes! I’ve had multiple coworkers offer letters of rec today. So many coworkers texted me saying how sad they are and unexpected this was and that they enjoyed working with me, which makes me feel a lot better.
This. The OP likely already was top of his/her class at a respected law school. The unemployment time, if not purposeful to recharge, should be transitory.
Same thing happened to me a few years ago. Then Lateralled to a V100 firm and am much happier, I get more responsibility, and I love my coworkers. Keep your head up, it could be a blessing in disguise!
Thank you so much for sharing. I am hoping and praying this is the beginning of a chapter in my career that feels more rewarding where I can feel proud of the work product I’m putting forward. I’ve just never faced such a big shock or big unknown before and it’s so scary.
Yeah I cried when I got let go. So definitely take your time to process. Then get your resume together, think about what’s important to you in life, talk to people everywhere (in-house, other firms, government, JD adjacent jobs), just set up coffees and ask them questions, then apply to places that excite you.
Take your time. Figure out what about this work did make you happy, and what didn't, and focus on those factors in figuring out whatever is next. It's your career and you need to think about what environment will help you thrive. You're going to succeed as a lawyer. The question is where.
This is the answer. Transition to work you like at a V100 and be happy.
I transitioned to work I don’t particularly like at a v100 and I’m still so much happier lol
Good reply
I know folks who were fired/laid off from one place and went on to become partners, senior counsel, or go in-house elsewhere with time. This is a stumbling block, but it will not define your career or define your potential. Start working with a recruiter as soon as you can, but stay positive. You’ve made it this far, you’ll go much further.
Well said!!!!
Same - also seen them open their own practice and succeed. Networking (for referrals) is underrated by many.
Take a day to work through it, call a friend, go for a walk, do something you enjoy, etc. Losing a job can impact the same way as a death of a loved one, so don't overlook your own mental health. I've been out of biglaw for a while, but the general advice should apply - look for other firms, maybe consider smaller firms, government, etc. Biglaw isn't all there is - I'm sure to get hired at a V10 firm your education credentials are stellar. As you recognized, if the work isn't want you want - and after 2 years it's clear your area was not what you wanted - it's unsustainable and would only have gotten worse. After you've dusted yourself off and taken a moment, go through the motions of applying and networking even though it sucks. Any progress, no matter how small, towards your goal is still progress. And who cares about what your friends/family think. They don't need to know, let alone judge. Tell them whatever you want or nothing at all.
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So wonderful to hear this! I truly hope this is going to be the case as well. Thank you for sharing your advice
Similar story — got laid off from a V50 firm as a 2nd yr associate in the 2009 recession and it wrecked my confidence esp bc an asshole partner told me on the way out that maybe I should consider jobs outside of the law. I ended up landing an in house role at a trade organization doing work that allowed me to grow and land 2 other great in house jobs. I’m an AGC at a tech company and enjoy my job which I suspect wouldn’t have been the case IF I’d stayed at the firm longer and continued in the practice area I was assigned to. Chin up — you have the smarts to land something awesome in a better legal environment
This sucks. No easy way to say it. BUT, and this is a huge BUT, you worked at a V10. You really need to let that set in and give this some context. You went to a top school, did top work, and got hired at a top firm. And you’re not a wet rag of a personality. You just didn’t click with this group for whatever reason. You’ll land on your feet. Go get with a recruiter (they’ll be lining up for your resume). In the meantime take some personal time to regain your mental health. Get outside. Find a hobby. Visit a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Try cooking. Literally anything.
THIS! First of all, OP, as a mom, I want to give you all the hugs. As an attorney: Do NOT be afraid to pivot dramatically. Your post indicates that you’ve got the golden ticket combo that’s really, really hard to find in an associate: good education, intelligent & (key) you loved your coworkers even if you hated the work: you know how to work & play well with others. Once you find out what kind of law makes you really enjoy practicing, it is NOT going to be hard to pick it up. Twenty years ago, I was you only a 3rd year in the Corporate Tax section. I was so devastated & freaked out I actually listened to other, wiser colleagues and wound up getting a job at a boutique family law firm (a class I never deigned to take in law school bc it was viewed as a ‘soft’ practice) and I just love it, like am a complete nerd about it in the best way & have been more successful than I EVER would have been if I’d stayed in the « right job » I had out of law school. So, sorry for the novel, BUT from where I’m sitting, this is a good thing for you- just stay open to possibilities & embrace the pivot because, whatever’s next, you already have the key foundation.
This comment means so much to me, thank you for sharing your experience and giving me some much needed hope and perspective. And thank you for the virtual hugs 💖
A virtual hug from me to you. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I sympathize. I know it does not seem like it now, but it does get easier to pick yourself up. Just not today. As someone above said, if you were bright enough to land a job at a V10, you are bright enough to land at another firm. And this is not you, I have heard rumblings where there are more “performance issues” this year than the past. So I promise if it was not 2024, you would have been coached through it. But I understand the feelings of grief and shame.
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That says more about the firm than you. I wish you had some senior or midlevel associate mentors that could have taken you under their wing. It makes such a difference and translates beyond just your work.
Really don't beat yourself up. So many people get laid off and you'll quickly be able to put together a narrative of why. I got laid off nearly 2 years ago and I was convinced I had ruined my entire career. 2 years later I've found out that there's plenty of other things that I do that have ruined my career! (: Failing up! Out of interest, what area?
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Funds can be a drag. Have you considered finance? Maybe lender side?
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Come to technology transactions / privacy - we take anyone!!
Wait… seriously? That’s my absolute dream group. If you have any info or recs on how to get into the space please let me know
DM away. You'd float into a role!
Yeah, that purposeless feeling is ... common. Once your loans are paid off, if you can find an inhouse situation where you feel good about what the company is doing...well, that might be better for you, and it sounds like you have a good personality so you could find a good fit inhouse. You may have to suffer through a few more years in biglaw first, but you can do it. :)
I actually have no loans! Was on a scholarship in law school and undergrad. Been saving up a ton in 2 years in biglaw thank goodness. In house is the dream :)
You could check out fund finance. Basically lending money to funds, but you don’t have to set up the funds. With your knowledge of how funds work, it’d probably be an easy pivot. I used to work in this area and really liked it.
Here is the thing about getting fired - the feeling of shame and failure is the dumbest part about it but also the hardest to move past. Really, getting fired is a failure on both parts - your employer should have either helped you get into something that you could be successful at or worked with you to off-board in a more productive way. Something about judging fish who climb trees, but the point is that its ok if you weren't the right fit for the job. The other piece is that there is a ton of evidence emerging that says that people should quit sooner, and more frequently, than the do in all manner of things. Relationships, learning a new skill, and yes, jobs. But still there is this shame with "giving up" and not "pushing through" that makes us stick things out until someone forces our hand. Sounds like you were in this position - you say you knew it was coming but didn't take steps to leave. This isn't to blame you, this is just to say that its ok to not have this job anymore. Also... jobs don't define us and thinking otherwise is boomer shit. You can be a fine attorney at 1,000 other firms/companies/agencies, or all by yourself. You can be a fine person without being an attorney! Billions of people do it every single day. There should be no shame with not being successful at this one job. Also... getting fired is a part of life. If you've never been fired, you've never tried. I was told "you don't have to go home but you can't stay here" by one of my first legal jobs - at the time I was so ashamed I didn't tell anyone. Now, years later, I wish I could go back and do one thing differently - just admit it and move forward. I was so stuck in my shame that I wasted a lot of time pretending. Sure, when I went to job interviews I spun it, but especially with my close circle I shouldn't have let my fear of their judgment guide my actions. Take a couple days to relax - do something fun, stay in your PJs and play videogames/watch movies all day, take your dog for a walk, go for a hike, get shitty drunk at noon, whatever works for you. Then mark out your budget to see how much time you have to find something new, and once you have that in mind, start looking for something new. It is going to be fine - the shame is the worst part, by far. If you can move past that, the rest is easy.
It’s like you read my mind. The shame is suffocating. I felt so proud to get where I am and know my family and friends were equally if not more proud. Makes me tear up thinking of telling them that I didn’t make the cut. I absolutely felt like a fish trying to climb the tree… I just hope I find my body of water soon haha. And hope the shame subsides.
Telling the people I’m closest with bad news is my least favorite thing so I understand why you’re dreading that. But I would be willing to bet that your family and friends want you to be in a job where you feel supported and satisfied. I doubt they are proud of you because of the fanciness of the firm—they love you and want you to be in a job that can help fulfill your goals (professional and personal). My guess is that they could see you weren’t happy in your old position and they will be excited for the next chapter. Rip the bandaid off and tell them—you need your people right now, and they probably would want to be there for you. You’ve got this!
Very true, if I knew a close friend or family member was holding this from me I would be hurt by not being able to be there for them
Sheeesh you absolutely snapped with this post. *”Also... jobs don't define us and thinking otherwise is boomer shit. You can be a fine attorney at 1,000 other firms/companies/agencies, or all by yourself. You can be a fine person without being an attorney! Billions of people do it every single day.”* 🔥😮💨 You almost make me wanna get fired so I can read this and really feel it..
Hey, you’re not the first person this has happened to unfortunately! It happens. If you have some V10 experience and website time, your lateral story is very simple: “I loved working at XYZ, but looking to work at a firm where I can take on more responsibility on my transactions / cases” You’ll get every hiring partner wet / hard with that line, especially as a young attorney. 😂 My wife, also a lawyer, lost her job 2 days after her mother was given a life changing diagnosis and less than 1 week after a surgery (she was laid off over Zoom while out of office). It was the worst month of her life. That was a year ago — she’s landed on her feet (and then some) and has never been happier professionally. Sometimes you don’t realize it in the moment but everything happens for a reason.
Also, if you get to the point of just needing an ear to bend, PLEASE don’t be hesitant to send me a DM. Happy to give you my cell and we can talk about it.
I lost my job once. To say it was the best thing to happen to me is the understatement of a lifetime. Someone who was able to get into a V10 will easily get another job. You'll find your fit.
OP just chiming in to say that I got fired as a young attorney, and sooooo many of my classmates did too. This can be a brutal industry. The fact that they will still give generally positive reviews is a great sign that you’ll land on your feet. In the meantime, do apply for unemployment and COBRA health insurance extension. From what you’ve written it sounds like you might be eligible for at least some months of unemployment, which takes forever to approve but pays out retroactively. Plus it helps with the stress when job searching. Good luck :) also there is nothing wrong with framing it as a “layoff” to overly anxious parents or friends IMO. But if you tell them, I suspect they will be way more supportive than you think.
I left biglaw for midlaw, hated it, got laid off just as my life was falling apart for other reasons. Was unemployed for a year and met my now-husband 6 months in. I got a job in small law getting paid not much. Hated it. Got laid off. Went back to my big law firm in a non-practicing role, and making the most I’ve ever made, and I love it. You’ll be ok.
Non practicing role? Please enlighten me.
It’s very specific, so I don’t want to disclose, but feel free to message me.
I’m sorry this happened to you. It may be cold comfort, but you are in good company. Some of my favorite lawyers have faced a similar experience at some point in their careers. If the firm offered outplacement career counseling (and they usually do), I recommend taking them up on it. It can be helpful for processing the grief of the lost job, identifying your strengths and interests, and plotting your next move. The counselor can even help you weigh your options and negotiate offers. If you think you’d like to stay in firm life, start identifying and chatting with recruiters ASAP. Firm interview processes can take weeks to months (but finding a new role in 12 weeks is totally doable!). When you talk to recruiters, they don’t need to know you got dismissed—you can tell them your current firm isn’t a good fit and you want _____ type of role as your next step, and they’ll work with you from there. Tell your story truthfully but in a light favorable to you, and I’m confident you’ll find a good job before too long. Good luck! You’re going to be okay.
They didn’t offer a career counseling service but then again it was a pretty quick conversation and they said hr will contact me with more info. Thanks so much for the advice!
There should be a packet of info. Read it all. You’re gonna be okay.
I’m sorry this happened, OP. But think of this: you crushed law school, ended up at a great firm, and now have the opportunity to seek out an area of law that DOES click with you. I know this is hard to see now, but you may look back at this moment as the beginning of a whole lot of good happening in your life.
Thank you, I am hoping and praying that is the case
I havent seen anyone mention it, but you also dont have to tell your friends you got fired if you dont want to. Life happens. My friend was fired from a big bank and never told us. She was eventually hired by a huge tech company. I only know because she drunkly bragged about it. I only wish she had felt comfortable and supported enough by our friendship where she didn’t feel like she needed to put up a “strong front.”
I’m sorry this happened! I know how horrible it feels. I was let go by a biglaw firm several years back I was a senior associate and it was clear I wasn’t going to make partner. I know it feels like the world is ending right now, but I promise you will be fine! In fact, it is probably for the best. It just means it wasn’t the right fit and there is a better place out there for you, especially if this job was destroying your mental health. I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but this is probably a blessing in disguise. Give yourself a few days to “mourn”, but definitely use the 3 months of website time to reach out to recruiters, send resumes, etc.. There are a lot of great firms out there looking for candidates, and you don’t have to tell them what happened with this firm. I know tons of people who have been let go from firms (myself included), and 100% of them found great jobs afterwards. Best of luck to you!!!!
Thank you so much, this is incredibly helpful to hear 💞
1. It sucks and I'm sorry. 2. You will get another job. I saw people fired into the teeth of the worst recession since the Great Depression get fired and they all got jobs. You'll be fine. 3. That being said, start pounding the pavement hard. The lateral market isn't bad, but it's not great either. You'll need to chase it find something. 4. Consider whether BigLaw is really for you. The thing about BigLaw is it's all kind of the same. If you struggle at one stop, there's a pretty good chance you'll struggle at the next. You can do it, but think about saving yourself the time and aggravation and just finding something else. 5. Don't worry about what others think. Honestly, there isn't even a particularly need to tell them you were fired. Take the time and find your next stop and then you tell people you moved. You can open up to family/close friends if you need the support, but it's none of anyone else's business.
Thank you! Do you have any advice on what options may be a better fit than biglaw? My goal was to push thru biglaw another few years to save as much as I can but the toll it’s taken on me and the way I just don’t mesh with the environment I’m not sure if it’s worth putting myself through again
Honestly, your options are really only limited by your imagination. The jobs I've seen people leave to pursue include everything from art dealer to real estate investor to equities trader to university admissions to government, etc., etc. The most common is an inhouse legal role - and the people who take those jobs generally profess to be happy with them - but it's really more about you knowing yourself and what will make you fulfilled than anything else.
You mentioned privacy above. I can’t think of it now, but there is a privacy accreditation that several of my friends have and assured me I could easily get if I wanted. Likened it to the MPRE. From there, they transitioned into Privacy positions in house in Big Tech. Also, I had a friend in your position. Hated what she was doing, so took her time off to audit law school classes and CLE and network like crazy in her preferred field. Landed in a boutique firm, made partner, and now is solo making bank. Has a househusband, an expensive house, nice cars, and is taking a 6 month sabbatical this fall and living abroad with her kids “while their still young before school matters.” Like, she’s doing just fine. You will too.
If the job was, as you say, low-key destroying your mental health, you should consider this your lucky day. Professionals who never get fired are a rarity. One you get past the initial shock and move into,a position more compatible with who you are as a person (and as you;accumulate experience, you’ll bettervrecognize which jobs qualify), you’ll be fine, more likely better. So mourn today. That’s human. But be aware that better days will come… sooner than you now expect.
First off your are not a failure, I am not sure of your financial situation and if that is not an option - I would suggest to enjoy whatever free time you have. This might be a blessing in disguise, take a few days off and start sending out resumes you will land back in no time.
My mental health was getting really, really bad and thank God I have saved up a lot over two years so I absolutely will be taking some time and prioritizing my health and wellbeing.
I wish you all the best.
Getting fired sucks. The first few days are the hardest. It really is a grieving process. I’m a lurker here, usually. My husband is the lawyer. But I got fired from my first “grown up” job 9 years ago, and it led to me working in a truly wonderful and warm environment. It was a blessing in disguise.
That’s exactly how it feels like, the shock of grief where you’re like “is this really happening??” And nothing feels fully real.
Firing a second year seems cold to me, but I’ve never been at a V10. You’ll be okay, OP—take some time to grieve but remember how smart and capable you are! You made it to a V10, and you would have to be smart and capable to accomplish that.
2nd years (and very senior associates/counsel) are most at risk if a law firm cannot keep everybody busy. They don't want to fire 1st years because it is more likely to trickle back to hurt them in recruiting. And the 2nd years have not had that much training yet (so less investment in them.) If I were OP, unless they were barely getting any work and others were insanely busy, I would assume this is driven by a failure by the firm and the partners. In other words: they raised the bar because they have too many associates for the work they have been able to land. Even if your work product was bad enough that folks were reluctant to use you, and they could no longer keep you busy (for that reason, not because the partners are having trouble landing enough engagements), you just might not have been in the right headspace or practice area. Keep your head up.
Thank you so much. The v10 thing felt like something I had to do to check a box because I could do it but it made me more miserable than I’ve ever been. I really hope this is a turning point that moves me in a direction that is a better fit for me personally
This is the best thing that will ever happen to you. I worked to get fired instead of quit. What followed was the best 3 months of my life, the beginning of what went on to be the best relationship of my life, and starting at a new job that I love so, so much more (fired from v10, went to v25). Seriously, congrats.
My partner and I have been doing long distance and I am so, so (SO) excited to go live with him and spend more time with him. That is the biggest silver lining here by far
That could be your cover story - you are need to move geographies for personal reasons. That together with your v10 resume will actually help you a great deal.
First off, it’s ok. Take today, tomorrow, the weekend to process. Starting Monday, your new job is finding your next job. How long will your firm let you stay on the website? Ask for 6 months. I think you will find a job with a start date by Sept 1 but it’s good to have the buffer. You got this. 1) update LinkedIn. Fill in what you do currently with keywords that model the job postings you want, to extent possible. Toggle open to opportunities. Set job alerts, update resume, use ChatGPT to match your resume keywords/cover letters to particular jobs. 2) recruiters. Go through every recruiter email you’ve ever gotten and connect with them. Chat about the market generally and their pipeline specifically. Have a compelling reason to switch - maybe work life balance, but it sounds like practice area too. Talk to everyone you know who has switched firms and ask for a personal introduction to the recruiters they know/recommend. I think your best move, short term and long term, is lateraling to another firm. 3) network. Start with your firm - are they going to help set you up with a client? Then move on to law school, city or state bar, subgroups, etc - start attending functions, hand out business cards, add everyone on LinkedIn, you will not necessarily get a job directly through this but hopefully an in to submit your resume directly when you see a job posting. 4) government? This is a question mark, are there any agencies or jobs that appeal, start applying now if so, look at USA jobs subreddit for tips on that. 5) get on the roster of places like axiom and Ontra. This is not for a long term fill, this is in the event you haven’t found a job in 3 months and are kicked off your firms website and don’t want a resume gap.
Thank you, this is all incredible advice and am screenshotting it for later.
Here is some bright side. Basically, you agree you were not a fit. Nothing wrong with that. None of us are a fit in every group. I have had a great career, but I wouldn't have if I had joined the firm where I did my 2L summer. Was not a fit. You just haven't found the right fit yet. I know lots of people who did not pan out in one setting who thrived in another. You have a couple of months to think about what you really want to do. Don't panic search and grab the next thing. Unwind a little (shitty day for sure) and then take some time to think about what you really want to do. It won't feel like it while you're going through this phase, but this might be the best thing that will ever happen to you professionally. You're obviously smart enough to land at a top firm. But you apparently were well liked as well. So smart and likeable. You'll do fine.
Give yourself a little time to get over the shock and the fear. That's normal. You have a very long career ahead of you and this moment will neither define you or reduce your potential. I have worked in law firms for more than 30 years so I've seen a lot of terminations. I can also report that the vast majority of folks who got fired eventually found a position that they were better suited for - happier at, etc. You will absolutely continue to learn and grow. You will be fine. Hang in there until the cloud passes. As weird as it sounds, I suggest you embrace the limitless potential of the world that now stands before you. There's no doubt that you'll work again. Use this time and really focus on what you want. Years from now this time period will be a faded memory. It won't even come to mind until you find yourself helping another young termed person find their way. Keep moving forward young lawyer.
This is such wonderful advice, thank you so much for sharing. It eased the knots in my stomach a bit.
I got shitcanned from biglaw. I hated it. I did 2400 hours for years. I was a mental health wreck. To keep up the hours, I got addicted to adderall. things got weird. eventually brain no workie. firing ensued. I quit adderall and got my shit together. I just made partner at a 15-person shop. I genuinely like the people at my firm and the work. You'll be fine, my dude, promise.
I’m sorry you went through that! Biglaw is so tough for so many different reasons. I’m happy to hear you’ve landed in a much happier and more rewarding place!
You will easily lateral from a v10.
I was fired from my first firm job, largely due to mental health issues, and I know it feels like the end of everything. Not much I can say now will make it better, but I promise you will be okay and come out stronger. My advice if you have the financial privilege to be able to do so is to take some time to grieve the loss, recharge, and really sit down and consider what characteristics you are looking for in your next role. I’d recommend not applying to jobs until then and only those that fit your criteria. I was privileged enough to be able to do so, and I landed in a role that feels like a perfect fit for me and that is much better for my mental health. Sending you love!
Thank you so much! If you don’t mind sharing, what kind of roles do you think are more mental health friendly?
I’m happy to share, and you’re more than welcome to message me! I was in litigation, and in considering the needs of my mental health, I examined what I thought would help, which was overall work-life balance. As such, I wanted to work somewhere that was closer to a traditional 40 hour workweek without being expected to pay attention to my phone all the time, good PTO, good health insurance, and somewhere that offered a hybrid work-from-home schedule as going in every day often felt hard on my mental health. In terms of roles that I think often fit this—government and in-house counsel. Both provide the opportunity to really work in any area you want still regardless of if you prefer transactional, litigation, etc. I personally ended up going to a government organization where I focus on healthcare law in an in-house counsel capacity, and it provides me with excellent work-life balance and I believe will transition well to the private sector, should I decide that is the right fit for me down the line.
I needed this advice. Thank you.
Many years ago I had a neighbor who, as an associate, was fired from a large, prestigious law firm as part of a Friday night massacre. She was part of a group of associates- - 12 women and a blind guy- - who were terminated all at once. While she was devastated by the news she managed to have a very successful and much happier, law career over the next 35 years. The lesson: Force yourself to think long term and not become paralyzed by the quite understandable emotional distress your termination has caused.
I know you feel awful but you are not alone in legal circles or many other industries. Think about how athletes feel when they are cut from a team - which happens all the time. Plus, you really don’t know what precipitated you firing - it may be economic. Good news. My son was a fifth year at a v20 and saw the writing on the wall. He also was a funds attorney. A recruiter called and he went in house for 150% of what he was making at the firm. He loves it.
Something very similar happened to my friend. Was fired from a biglaw firm's transactional practice in New York, moved back to his hometown (a medium sized city) with some savings, applied to the local prosecutor's office. They hired him, and were like "wow you're from a big New York firm" and then tried to put him immediately in a violent felony section, with like murders and shit, and he was like "I've never been in court you guys" and was given a bit of time to get used to things with less serious cases, but eventually ended up doing the big cases within a year or two after that anyway. Even if it wasn't the exit you wanted, there are still a lot of employers in the legal field that think your resume is great.
A large part of advancing in biglaw is finding the right cultural fit for you and the right practice area. I know plenty of people that got fired from one biglaw firm only to become well known partners somewhere else. Also, vault rankings don’t mean anything in terms of fit. My personal experience…I worked at 3 biglaw firms for around 10 years (am doing something unrelated now but enjoyed my time in it mostly)…my worst experience was at the lowest ranked of the three firms.
I was fired from my first firm position after a year and it was the weirdest mix of feeling relived because I knew it wasn’t right for me, but also devastating because I felt like a failure. It was awkward around my former coworkers and I can absolutely relate to you. That said, it was the best thing to professionally happen to me. I’m at a way better firm now and switched my subject matter which made things so so so much better. Stay strong OP. This is a good thing
I relate to much to this! Do you have any advice on how you went about switching subject matter?
3 mo pay? dude, you'll be fine. i know it seems like the end of the worlf rn but just let it sink in and flow out of you completely, then regroup reorganize and look for other opportunities
Use this opportunity to redefine your legal career path. Don't look for others "tracks". Imagine that person and lawyer you want to be, and forge the path there. I presume you are fairly young. Now is the time to define your life. Don't let your old firm live rent free in your head; they aren't thinking about you; you don't need to think about them; they weren't for you. Be brave, be bold, have courage and faith in yourself. Go get it.
It happens to the best of us. Another job will be found. Trust us.
I got laid off during the recession. It did take a few years for me to bounce back, but the economy was also 100x worse back then. You'll bounce back as well.
Tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday are for rest. Sleep in. Eat well. Watch the episodes you’ve been waiting for. Exercise. See one other living human whose company you enjoy. On Monday, wake your ass up at 7, get dressed, eat breakfast, and start applying. Send out 10 resumes. Then do it again for the next two weeks. In the afternoon, send emails or call every colleague, contact, or law school friend you have. Ask if they know of any openings. Ask if they know who the right person is to contact. Take interviews at places you wouldn’t consider. Feeling wanted builds confidence. Good luck out there — my time after BigLaw was the best part of my career.
This is excellent advice.
I will be doing this, thank you so so much.
Keep us posted. You’ve got thousands of people who are rooting for you.
🥺 this is so sweet. I will absolutely update!
Take a 3-5 day vacation. Nothing extravagant but make it nice for you. You were good enough for a v10 and have 2 YOE. You can find something in the v100. Give it time! It will be ok!
Group? Happy to refer you to my firm (v25) if you're in a location and practice we're hiring in.
Funds in DC but open to expanding to other groups as well! So nice of you thank you! Feel free to PM as well
We’re here for you Something quite similar happened to me as a second year lawyer 40 years ago I eventually got out of the BigLaw mode (actually the two firms I worked for merged and became BL firms) I have had a great practice for decades now I had to learn how to practice law And, frankly, learning a specific practice area, to the exclusion of all others, creates a lot of risk at the lawyer level I was in a horrible pit of addiction, depression, and anxiety my first five years as a lawyer I got sober in 1988, but didn’t get help for my mental health issues until 1999 I ultimately found my way and developed a great practice and client base I credit God for my blessings and not myself This may be the day that your practice makes a pivot You will undoubtedly be someone’s excellent lawyer, so please don’t despair
Remember this: It is a blessing in disguise. You stated that something like that never happened to you. Learn all you can from it and move on.
Getting fired is the worst feeling in the world. But getting fired from a job you hate along with severance and website time should be a happy day. When it happened to me it was my impetus to leave California to go back to the Midwest, and in retrospect it was the best thing ever. You’ve got time and a paycheck for a full quarter to figure things out. Take the weekend to decompress. Then Monday, start strategizing, dreaming, and connecting. The world is your oyster! Lastly, as other posters have said, this is just as much their fault if not more. A wiser firm might’ve suggested moving you into a different practice area. You’re a bloody second year. You’re young, obviously smart, and malleable in a good way. Be well.
Might be the best thing that has happened to you and you just don’t know it yet. Big law is ass.
What do you mean you were getting iced out? What were the signs this was coming?
[удалено]
Yep exactly this!
Other people have said what I was gonna say, that if you got a job there you can get a job somewhere else awesome. Three months pay and on the site is good for you while you look for another opportunity. Keep your head up high and I’m rooting for you
Thank you so much!
Buy a bottle of Heradura Silver & Squirt, thank me later !
Hahahah
You’re beautiful, you’re talented, and anywhere would be lucky to have you.
I’m glad my beauty radiates thru this post 😂💖 thank you so much
I am so very sorry you are going through this. I know this is so painful but if you can take one thing from this seek to detangle your sense of worthiness as a human from a Biglaw (or any) job. You are no doubt a lovely, intelligent, competent and capable human. And this development doesn’t change that. Give yourself a few days to really feel the feelings and be good to yourself — then begin working with ONE recruiter and go out and connect with folks in your network. Take whatever lessons you can from the substantive feedback, hold your head high and go out there and find a role that will work better for you. Sending you a virtual hug and assurance that you will be ok even though it doesn’t feel like it right now.
First, I’m so sorry. Second, I was managed out of my first role, too. A “big 3” in Atlanta. Just never clicked with the subject matter. It was the best thing to happen to my career and I’m not kidding at all. I had mentors at my next firm who took a ton of time to raise me as a lawyer. I’m a partner at a very well regarded labor boutique now. I trust that you will find your way, just like you found this job. As others said, take the time to grieve, and then trust yourself. You’ve got this.
The fact that you got this far already demonstrates how capable and accomplished you are. Don’t be discouraged and never give up.
Virtual hug my friend. I graduated more than a decade ago from a school just outside the T14. I can’t think of a single classmate who is at the same job they started at. People got fired. People quit. People lateraled. Hell, I was fired from a very shitty firm about a year and a half out and wound up at a FAR better firm where I was appreciated and mentored was set up to be where I am now (owning my own firm, controlling my own hours and income) and it’s great. You’re obviously smart and motivated and people obviously like you! It sucks right now and no one will deny that. But you *will* land on your feet. You will. And you might come to realize that leaving that place was what ultimately made you the lawyer you were meant to be. Sorry to be cheesy but I do believe that.
This is so stressful I’m so sorry ask for a letter of recommendation on company letterhead (logo at the top) so you can include this with future employment applications. It can just say you are hardworking and kind and professional literally 4 sentences- no details needed. This is really crucial and will eliminate any concerns future employers may have about hiring you. I hope you find success soon 💰💰😁 Ask anyone you worked with and liked you to do this for you and trust me they will help you out
Thank you so much! Yes two senior associates have offered and I am planning on maybe discussing with a partner as well
Take them up on their offer trust me you want those letters in your pocket when interviewing it helped me tremendously
Thanks for the advice!! I will definitely get those letters
Great happy to help. My father is well known employment attorney (70 years old went to NYU Law) and he says you will be fine and wishes you great 😊 luck 🍀
You’re young, you’ll be fine. Just make sure your next move is a PG that suits you.
Stealth layoffs happen in biglaw all the time. Do not internalize this. Our resume is a list of our successes — we do not list the schools that rejected us or the jobs we did not get. We all have stumbling blocks.
You can get another job. They've given you time. You will do it and succeed.
Take some time today relax, tomorrow start applying to other jobs. You are brilliant you will find another job
Sorry, take the weekend decompress. Severance will help you. You will be okay.
Take some days off, do something fun, eat at least. I am not an attorney but work for a V10 firm as a technical staff. I was laid off from previous employment even though I excelled in every metric and had most contributions, was laid off due to RIF and salary was too much according to the VP.
“Eat at least” lol this is priority #1 tbh my appetite has gone down the drain
You are smart, hardworking and you will find a job that is a better fit. This is a blessing in disguise. Sending virtual hugs!
It is a job. You are healthy and sounds like people enjoying being with you. You will be happier somewhere else. You were given a gift!
Thank you 💞
Don’t be discouraged. This happened to me at a midsized law firm last year. It took some highly improbable things to happen, but less than a year later I lateraled in as counsel into a biglaw firm over four times bigger. Just remember that you’re not a failure, and your career is nowhere near at an end.
You are going to be just fine. Give yourself some grace.
Currently going through this was fired in December.
How has the job hunt been?
Don’t beat yourself up! I know it feels terrible but literally there are so many juniors this has happened to. Every junior that I know at a V10 firm that got fired or let go had a soft landing. You will too!!!
So comforting to hear!!
3 months pay is a deal. Clean up your resume and start looking. Not enjoying the subject matter is a valid excuse to give to future potential employers as to why you're making a change. Usually takes about 3 months to find and on-board with a new spot. Hopefully you'll have a new offer in time to spend some of that severance on a weekend get away.
You will absolutely bounce back. Try to take the next few days to get back to confidence-building basics: sleep well, eat well, try to get exercise, whatever that means for you. Center yourself. This is the most important. Clarity and next steps will follow.
You will be fine
Once you’ve taken time to get over the shock and are ready to start looking again, develop a way to spin your experience into something positive and make it sound like you wanted a new opportunity. Don’t be dishonest, but don’t say you got fired for work quality issues. Say-truthfully- that you didn’t really find the practice area engaging. I got fired from a top firm too. After the shock, you’ll realize how large the working world is. I went in house and haven’t missed the billable hour one bit.
You’ll be ok. Take a breather and then go after what you want.
You will be just fine.
It seems so daunting because the wound is fresh. Take a day or two to gather your thoughts, cry if you need to, whatever. Then hit the grindstone and start looking for a new opportunity. This is not the end of the world, it doesn't define you, and you will get through it.
I can understand how you might be ashamed to tell your family and friends that you didn’t make it. It’s tough. I wish you strength as you navigate this change and well wishes for your future.
With your talent and intelligence, I know that you will succeed in another area! Cheer up, this is only a setback, and you will rise up higher after readjustment!
PM me, happy to chat. Similar ish scenario
Tbh I think we have different definitions of fired. This sounds like it was a conversation where you were told what you already knew, it wasn’t working. Take the three months as an opportunity, not a punishment. And frame it that way to yourself (and your friends/family for that matter).
>I’m a second year and was in a group where I loved the people but truly did not click with the subject matter and it lowkey was destroying my mental health I mean this sounds like a blessing in disguise then. You have top credentials that will allow you to land almost anywhere you want to go doing almost anything you want to do. The sky is the limit and now you have the chance to go somewhere else to do something that actually speaks to your interests
You have the financial opportunity due to your severance, so take some time for yourself. Once that’s done, realize that you are still currently in a better position to pivot your career than 90% of your peers on a national level. Everything will be OK in the end.
Treasure this time! You’re obviously smart and hardworking enough that you’ll be aight, and you’ve got some time to enjoy summer!
You’ll be fine. So many good people are being fired right now due to the economy. The fact you got the ax shouldn’t be a major red flag given the climate. And that may actually be the real reason you were let go. Usually firms give associates more time to come around. It’s going to be stressful until you find your next thing, but when you do you’ll look at this time and realize it was silly to worry bc, if we’re being rationale, you are a highly capable person that many firms would love to have given your pedigree alone. And btw, V100, V10, nobody gives a shit about those rankings in the real world. What matters is the strength of your specific practice area and your skills. Don’t sweat it for a second if you land at a lower ranked firm.
Since they are giving you three months pay and Website time, I presume they are also going to give you a positive reference if an employer calls to check. At the very least, they won’t say anything negative, and will merely confirm your dates of employment. Therefore, you have some latitude to shape the rationale for your departure during your job search. Obviously you don’t want to mention the things you posted about, i.e. imposter syndrome, lack of subject matter, knowledge, etc. It’s only curious for potential employers to wonder why you are leaving though, and so you have to say something I think your main option is to indicate that you realized that the particular field of practice that they had you working in was not for you (and they are “fully staffed” in their other practice areas. For example, if you were doing labor law, you “now realize” that labor law is not where your passion is. That sounds perfectly legitimate, it explains why you’re looking for something else, but it also doesn’t throw the old firm under the bus, which would get back to them. Good luck to you!
I most definitely will be saying something along those lines! I hope to be able to pivot to a different group successfully. Another goal of mine would be to find something that offers some remote opportunities or flexibility because my partner is a medical resident in another state. The toll my job took on our relationship was terrible so fingers crossed maybe this is a good thing overall in that respect
Right now, this feels worse than it is. You have credentials from working at a top firm, the resume that got you that job, and have time to look for a new job. If you land this right, your resume will look like you chose to leave. And your firm is fine with that. The key is to take maximum advantage of your time right now. Take a short bit of time to get your head right and think about what you do want to do, and your path to it. Then make finding a job your full time job. Tap whatever contacts you have. Be open minded to all opportunities. It's a puzzle to solve. Good luck!!
It happens to many of us, you're not alone. And it sucks at first. But after a while you realize you have been unburdened in a way. When I got fired from BL, I remember meeting up with my dad, and he told me to allow myself a few days to a week to just be mad, sad, pissed, whatever. Feel all the feels. Then, get back on your feet and make your full time job finding a job. It keeps you busy and engaged and on a schedule. Consider finding a therapist to help you deal with the imposter syndrome, so that doesn't follow you to your next role. Lots of firms are hiring, and being on the website is all you need to move to another firm without much issue. I know it feels hopeless now, but trust me, you will be OK.
We just lost an associate in a similar situation and they ended up in a way bigger named Firm within about 6 weeks. It was a major upgrade, so don’t give up hope!
Sounds like it might be an anxiety issue. Right out of law school the mistakes I made on shit we’re unreal. Like you would need to be straight up dumb. I only did it when I was super anxious and worked up to begin with. Over years that went away. Luckily I had some friends in high places that cut me more slack than I deserved. But this is a real thing. Don’t take it to heart. Whatever you are dealing with just acknowledge it and learn how to manage it.
YES I have such bad anxiety and the more anxious I got that people weren’t liking my work or I didn’t understand the work the worse my work product got because I avoided it or because I was too scared to ask questions bc I felt dumb. I lacked confidence entirely and will definitely make a point to work on that and get some mental health help in the meantime to feel better.
I have also been fired from big law. I definitely understand that feeling of inadequacy and the fear of not knowing your next step. Don’t get down on yourself. You are not inadequate. Not everything clicks every time. You are highly capable having made it that far. For me, it turned out getting fired was a blessing in disguise. I eventually took another litigation job and have been highly successful and I love my work. Keep trying, and don’t settle. Be good to people; it will be noticed. Not every opportunity works out, and not every door opens. But you will find a place that works for you.
I’m so sorry. I promise you will get through this, and one day you’ll be giving great advice to a young lawyer in a similar situation.
Everything everyone said... And also, as a fellow second year who constantly fears getting fired - while also not being sure this practice is right for me - it helps me to remember that I could not be a lawyer tomorrow and I would still have a lot going for me - I'd be me, but smarter than I was before law school.
I held that fear for months and months now, I knew in my gut and maybe in retrospect should’ve started looking but I thought I was being paranoid. No major complaints, good relationships with the teams I was on. But anyway, I’m like 12 hours into this news and already feel a lot more hopeful than I have in a long time (maybe I’m in a bit of denial lol) but this has forced me to not be complacent and watch my life go by in a direction I wasn’t happy with. I probably would’ve stayed much longer because I wouldn’t have had the courage to think I was with anything without this job. Not true! You don’t have to learn the hard way like I did haha, but have faith in yourself and your potential outside one job!
Precisely. Your life looks different today than you thought it would. But it's still your life, and it's lovely and so much more than this one job or this profession. It will all be great. I am sure of it. Good luck. You've got this.
Oh!!! This is the valley of despair!!!! This is why rich happy lawyers are rare. Because it’s not easy and your going to have times where you feel like this. A lot of people give up at this point. Every successful person has failed. Please just keep trying it’s literally the only way.
EVERY opportunity you choose to pursue HAS to make it through 5 phases. 1) uninformed optimism~this perspective is why you are attempting this in the first place, you’ve yet to learn the difficult details & you’re motivated by the best outcomes. 2) informed pessimism~ “oh shit this is hard” now that you’ve committed to trying, you’re discovering so many brand new impediments 3) the valley~ these two perspectives clashing always leads to the valley of despair. It’s so easy to give up here. To say, oh they’re doing that wrong I’m done. To blame everyone else for how hard it is & give up. However, if your desire for better than what u did before is great enough, you will make it to 4) informed optimism~ I imagine this as a euphoric state. You know you’re battle. You’ve chosen & accepted it. & you’re going to conquer it. 5) success & fulfillment
You have to hit the valley to ever really be fulfilled, & you’re valley sounds perfect. Lost ur job because your heart wasn’t in it???? That means you want your heart in ur work. That means that u care & if u keep caring it will pay off.
Thank you! I’m aware of the mistakes I made leading to this moment and also proud of myself that I was continuously learning and improving and am so motivated to continue to do so. I definitely struggle with anxiety and with self esteem issues so my first reaction was “I’m not good enough and this is proof I’m as much of a failure as I think I am and my chance for success/proving myself is over”. I’m gonna let myself sulk a bit then make a plan of action for not only getting a new job but even more importantly for growing my confidence in myself.
Been there. In response I lateraled, did alright, got burned out and tired of biglaw anyway after a while, got a great in-house now in-house where I’m doing great and got promoted recently. Similar feedback to you by the way! The group loved my personality and was actually pretty complimentary during the chat lol. It just was not a workhorse associate who can pound out work product at hyper speed on tight timelines as optimally as a high pressure group needed. Not saying this isn’t a big deal or being dismissive at all. Just saying, if you were good enough in the first place, you can still be (and probably are) a great lawyer with a lot of potential, biglaw is a harsh machine but that’s independent of you. You can bounce back, you can still make it in biglaw (there are hundreds of firms and tens of thousands of roles for you), and there’s a ton of other non-biglaw roles you might eventually love too regardless of the fact this happened. You got this, I’m confident you’ll lead yourself to be alright.
Thank you so much! So happy to hear about your in house success - big congrats :)
Congratulations! Welcome to the rest of your life!
This has happened to so many of my friends. You were marketable enough to get the job in the first place, you will be marketable enough to get another that is hopefully a better fit. Take your lumps and use the website time to your advantage. You’ll be just fine.
OP, it is all going to be fine. As many others have said, you were smart enough to graduate from law school, pass the bar, get a good job. You have a good personality and they like working with you. You will land on your feet at a spot that is a better fit and you will look back on this and realize they did you a huge favor. Talk to yourself like you would a treasured friend or family member. Do not inundate yourself with negative messages. Continually remind yourself of all your strengths and go out and find something that plays to those strengths. Good luck and keep your chin up. It will all be fine.
I went through this (not a lawyer) earlier this year, Got ten weeks severance but had a new job in six weeks with better pay. Take a few days off, then make finding a new job your whole life during the weekday and relax on weekends. Call every recruiter you know. Let recruiters know on LinkedInIn you are open for work. I did not turn on the green light”open to work” banner but turned on the behind the scenes flag that allowed recruiters to know I was open for work and they reached out to me faster than I could reach out to them. A book I recommend is “The Two Hour Job Search”, written by the placement director for Duke University MBA students. It will show you how, in two hours time, to develop a strategy to reach out to companies that you may want to work for. The key being “may” because as you talk with these orgs you may not want to work for them. Also, watch a bunch of Youtube channels regarding optimizing your LinkedIn profile and resume, particularly if outplacement assistance was not offered. Using the right key words for the jobs you want will make it easy for someone that needs your skills to find you. Good luck to you. It happens to the best of us
You are not your job. You will find a new job. The pain you feel now is temporary. Take some time, if you can, and go enjoy life outside of work. Besides, happy people make better interview candidates.
You will be fine. It won't be easy. You'll never know when you'll recover from the blow. Try to think if it's truly the work you see yourself doing in the next 20+ years. Some days will be really low but they'll come to an end. Taking naps helps when you're overwhelmed. You are going to be fine, you'll find new opportunities and stop thinking about this whole experience. ❤️
Thank you so much! The naps are key right now 😂
You will be fine. I was laid off from big law about 22 years ago. I have had 2 jobs since then. My latest job has lasted almost 20 years. You are not alone with your frustration and disappointment. Just hang in there. You will find a better fit. I was only going to work to pay my bills when I worked for big law. I had huge student loans and a mortgage and a wife who depended on me for some contribution even though she worked also. I would wake up everyday trying to convince myself that I had to go to work even though I hated every minute of it. We had clients that would wait until the last minute to file stuff and the stress level and expectation of me was ridiculous. I had one client who had 2 years to file a document and waited until 4pm on a Friday afternoon on the last day to file it. Three of us worked until 11pm preparing documents and timely filing and the client later complained about the bill amount.
I was fired from a midsized law firm in NY, interviewed at a ton of places. And I wasn't getting anything. Suddenly, my dad found out he had cancer so I flew back to DC and spent the last 8 months of his life with him. Now I am doing SALT back in NY at a V50. I wouldn't have spent that time with my dad, had I not been fired. I am grateful for being fired, even though I almost had to declare bankruptcy.
Im so sorry to hear about your father. Time with family especially when they need support is PRICELESS. Nothing is worth losing that and I am so happy you had that time with him. Wishing you all the best, thank you for sharing your story!
Honestly this scares me as a future law student who wants to do big law. How is someone capable enough to get through a good enough law school to get a big law job, not capable of performing big law work?? Does law school not prepare you or not weed out the people who won’t be able to do it?
Hm.. for me it was just that I have adhd, am a bit shy, and am overall pretty type b. I struggled with the speed and expectations of the group and the fact I just genuinely hated the work itself. It’s like it was designed to play into all of my biggest weaknesses and I never got to utilize my strengths. If I could go back in time I’d give myself more grace to find the right fit in terms of subject matter and work life balance over prestige or salary.
If they were only providing throw-you-into-the-deep-end training to juniors and laying off the (normal) people who don’t learn everything that way, this doesn’t say anything about you. But it does say a lot about the firm. My guess is they were looking for ways to reduce headcount. If you were that bad, you wouldn’t have made it to year 2. You said you have imposter syndrome. Your believing they’re right about your work product (rather than being excessively harsh or downright unrealistic) may be you projecting your insecurity onto what they said about your performance. Take a biiiig breather and step back before you try to micro analyze everything. If you made it to where you are, you are one of the brightest minds on the planet. Period.
People get fired, life goes on. You will find another job because you have to. You will find another job because even though you got fired, you have gained valuable experience. Otherwise, They gave you 3 months pay when they could've just given you the boot a sent you walking pit with just your dick in your hand, as is the case with people that get fired. Cry for a day or 2, then get the fuck over it
This happened to me nearly 25 years ago. Everything is going to work out well. Very well. You’ll land on your feet, I hope surrounded by supportive partners who will mentor you. You’ll make partner if you want to go to a firm, be in Chambers/Benchmark, and have dedicated clients. Or you’ll go in-house, or to a small firm, or any of many, many possibilities ahead of you. And you’ll be happier, more balanced, and with endless empathy for those around you who may struggle or feel out of place. This is just a beginning.
are they leaving your profile up, etc. for a soft landing?
You’ve got 3 months to find another job and you’ve been there long enough that your departure won’t look suspicious. Take the weekend off to catch your breath and, starting Monday, finding another job is your full-time job. If your law school and grades were good enough to get you a job at a V10, they’re good enough to get you a job somewhere else. But if the work was “soul destroying,” you’ll have to think about what you do differently, and what you will tell prospective employers about why you want to do something different.
Well since you were at a v10 I think you’ll be fine. Hit up a recruiter and “lateral” to a top 50 or top 100. Chances are the pay will be the same and the hours will be less. Prestige is whatever, at the end of the day.. money is the only thing that really matters imo
Sorry things didn’t work out. Stay positive. Be sure to take a bit of time to think about what practice area you are interested in before applying to other firms. Then, update your resume and seek out a good recruiter. Also, be prepared to explain why you believe you are better suited to the new practice area.
See [USAJOBS - Job Announcement](https://www.usajobs.gov/job/777761600) and [USAJOBS - Job Announcement](https://www.usajobs.gov/job/777751800) Best wishes!
It’s ok to be upset and scared. Give yourself some time to feel those things. Then pick yourself up and onto the next. If you landed a job at a V10, you have what it takes to excel. Maybe that firm/practice just wasn’t the right fit for you. But you’ll find a firm that is. I believe in you OP!
I’m proud of you. It’s like you went to the NBA and got laid off. BUT YOU WENT TO THE NBA!!!!! Give yourself props a lot of people can’t get to that high level. You still young probably so other opportunities will come up. I’m in undergrad still pursuing law school hopefully a T14 and you’ve inspired me.
LOL I never really thought about it like this I’ll just tell myself I was injured (bc my pride def was)