RMN'S Blog
Etiquette for Leaving Your Law Firm
Congratulations! You just got notice that you landed a job at a new law firm. In the midst of the excitement, you need to find time to tell your current firm that you will be leaving them soon. If you are in the middle of planning how to leave your current job, follow these tips to make sure it goes smoothly:
The first step is the inform your current law firm that you are leaving. Leaving a two week notice is the best thing you can do for your career. Despite when your new law firm says you can start, to be respectful, giving enough an advanced notice you are leaving is proper etiquette. In addition, leaving abruptly can be damaging to your reputation as an attorney amongst your peers and clients.
After informing your law firm that you will be moving on, make sure to contact your clients as well. Many law firms will want to give your clients a joint letter with you and the firm stating you will be leaving. In the letter, it will state what their rights are while being within this limbo between you and the firm. In addition, you can speak to your clients on your own to inform them of your leaving.
From this, don’t try to steal away clients from your law firm. Leaving a law firm on a bad note is never a good look, especially if the news can travel to your new employer. Clients have the right to go to whichever law firm they choose, and it is not your responsibility to try to campaign for them to follow you. The best thing to do is to tell your clients of your departure, and let them make the final decision.
Moving from one law firm to another does not have to be difficult process, as long as you take care of your legal and ethical duties before your departure. The best thing for you to do is to leave on good terms and keep in contact with your coworkers; you never know if you will need to network with them in the future.
