3 Ways Associates Can Rebound After a Layoff

Law360, April 10, 2023

By Aebra Coe

Slowdowns in corporate work for law firms have led to a series of layoffs in the legal industry in recent months, leaving a number of associates out of a job.

Getting a pink slip can be a major blow for a young professional, and the job market for lawyers right now is tight. However, legal recruiters say that not all hope is lost for the now-former large law firm associates.

The key is flexibility. Because the current market is an employer's market, candidates seldom have their pick of jobs. But with some proactive effort and creative thinking, there are still good positions out there that will keep those associates' careers on track and help them reach their long-term goals.

"If you're laid off, don't panic. But don't delay action too long," said Roberta Kass, a legal recruiter at SeltzerFontaine LLC. "Take a deep breath. Don't jump at the first thing. Make sure it makes sense for you career-wise."

Here, recruiters offer ideas for how recently laid-off attorneys can make the most of an unfortunate situation and go on to thrive in their careers.

Consider a Smaller Law Firm

There's a window within which an employment gap is acceptable to future employers, but at some point — generally three to six months — gaps begin to make it harder for candidates to find work, according to Vered Krasna, a managing director at Lateral Link.

That means it can pay to be flexible with the type of firm lawyers are looking to work at, because many of the firms now hiring don't fit the profile of the firms that are laying people off.

"A lot of these boutiques and midsize firms ... they didn't over-hire during the past two years. They have a healthy balance of work that's coming in," and they could be good options for some associates looking for work, Krasna said.

Moving to a smaller firm that has a more general, middle-market transactional practice could be useful because the firms focusing more heavily on big private equity deals and venture capital are suffering more, Kass said.

When moving to a small firm, don't approach it as just a job for the sake of being employed, she advised.

"Make sure that your narrative fits what you can do for the firm, not just what the firm can do for you," Kass said. "You don't want to look like you just want a job. Firms want to know why that firm."

That could mean talking to partners about how working on pieces of big deals was all well and fine, but then express a desire to work on middle-market deals where it's possible to be a part of the entire transaction.

Be Flexible on Geography

Another way associates can be flexible is by being willing to relocate, according to Lorraine Connally, a recruiter at Swan Legal Search Inc.

"Keep an open mind, and be prepared to consider a wider range of options, including a geographical move," Connally said.

Krasna also pointed to geographic flexibility as a big help, saying firms in growing secondary markets such as Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Salt Lake City, Utah, are looking for bodies and offer possibilities for a solid destination.

And if the destination isn't too far from the attorney's home base, a full-on move may not be needed, Kass said.

A number of the attorneys affected so far have been in the Bay Area, and Southern California's legal market is still more robust, Kass said. And with many law firms only requiring office attendance Tuesday through Thursday, a hybrid living situation may be possible, she added.

Leverage Your Relationships

Recently laid-off associates should find a number of excuses to engage with their networks so that they can let those around them know they are looking for a job, according to Kass.

That could mean attending CLE courses, bar association events, connecting with old law school classmates and even chatting with a neighbor or dentist about their desire to find a position.

"You never know who they know," Kass said.

Kass also advised associates to use informational interviews with experts in a practice area or industry the attorney wants to explore, tapping that person for insight on the newest trends and issues.

Attorneys can also make use of their social networks online by making sure their LinkedIn accounts are updated and set to the "open to work" status.

"That makes you more searchable," Krasna said.

Attorneys can also lean on their network to find a good recruiter, according to Major Lindsey & Africa partner Kate Reder Sheikh. There will likely be recruiters flooding the inbox of a newly unemployed associate, but not all of those will be the most effective options, Sheikh said.

In addition to getting good references for a recruiter, attorneys should also consider what region they specialize in and look for someone with a local focus.

"There are a lot of people out there claiming to be national recruiters," Sheikh said. "There's no way they have strong enough relationships with the firms in the city where the impacted associate works to be able to pull the strings to help them get the right job."

--Editing by Brian Baresch and Lakshna Mehta.

https://www.law360.com/pulse/modern-lawyer/articles/1594644/3-ways-associates-can-rebound-after-a-layoff