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[TomokiRandolph]

What's the minimum number of years so that your departure doesn't raise red flags?  Obviously, less than one year is no good.  Is two years ok? 

[UVAgal4]

You mean, a law firm that you joined with no strings (ie tuition reimbursed, etc.) attached, and are looking to leave, but want to know how other firms will consider such departure?
I would say two years. Enough time to get in there, get used to how things are run, work on some files, give it the "ol' college try", and then decide that said firm is not for you.

[bleedingpen]

agreed

[blakesq]

It depends, if you leave to go solo, who cares?  If you have a great job opportunity at a new firm, but you have only been at the current firm for 6 months, are you going to squander the opportunity simply to avoid the "less than 2 year" stigma, I would take the new job.  If you are working for a horrible evil boss, is it worth two years of your life, I would say no. 

What's the minimum number of years so that your departure doesn't raise red flags?  Obviously, less than one year is no good.  Is two years ok? 

[bleedingpen]

nobody is ready to go solo in less than 2 years of experience

[AnotherCog]

That type of self-limiting is for the birds.  You only have control over whether or not potential employers know you're looking.  Beyond that, it's up to them.  If they think < 1 year is a red flag, the worst-case-scenario is that you don't get the job.  That's outside of your control.  Choosing to not even try for a better opportunity because you think they might reject you is one of the poorest career moves that you can make. 

[UVAgal4]

Of course, if your dream job wants to take you two months after you started at another firm, then take it.

[TomokiRandolph]

Yeah, point taken about leaving to find one's "dream job."  However, jumping from law firm to law firm is always a gamble and "dreams" in the legal profession are most often mirages.  Lawyers are skilled communicators, so if you interview for a job and they DON'T make you feel like it's your "dream job" then you certainly should not even consider it.  They either don't want you very much or the firm sucks.  Just because it sounds like the answers to all your prayers, however, doesn't mean that it really is.  I've been around a while and I know that no law firm is the answer to all my prayers.  I'm just wanting to avoid any red flags on my resume that would hurt me in the future.

[prufrock]

I just logged on to ask this same question.  My situation: I graduated in May and started with the boutique where I'd summered the year before.  Just before I started full time, my four favorite people, including the associate who was my mentor and the partner who hired me, left for another firm in the same city.  Now, a few months after I started full time, they're trying to get me to come work with them.  Though I don't have a number yet, it promises to be a significant salary bump (I won't leave otherwise).  Generally, it sounds like a great opportunity, with lots of good work. 

I have no beef with my current firm or anyone there.  I've always felt very lucky to have the job, and they've treated me well. But I'm confident I would enjoy working with these other people more, as I've worked with them in the past.  My only reservation (and it's a big one) is leaving my current firm after only 6 months full time.  Is that a good reason to pass on this opportunity? 

Thanks for your feedback.

[bleedingpen]

I just logged on to ask this same question.  My situation: I graduated in May and started with the boutique where I'd summered the year before.  Just before I started full time, my four favorite people, including the associate who was my mentor and the partner who hired me, left for another firm in the same city.  Now, a few months after I started full time, they're trying to get me to come work with them.  Though I don't have a number yet, it promises to be a significant salary bump (I won't leave otherwise).  Generally, it sounds like a great opportunity, with lots of good work. 

I have no beef with my current firm or anyone there.  I've always felt very lucky to have the job, and they've treated me well. But I'm confident I would enjoy working with these other people more, as I've worked with them in the past.  My only reservation (and it's a big one) is leaving my current firm after only 6 months full time.  Is that a good reason to pass on this opportunity? 

Thanks for your feedback.

Ask the new firm if they would be OK with you waiting another 6 months so that you have at least a year to show on your resume.  I would think that they would understand.

[AnotherCog]

I just logged on to ask this same question.  My situation: I graduated in May and started with the boutique where I'd summered the year before.  Just before I started full time, my four favorite people, including the associate who was my mentor and the partner who hired me, left for another firm in the same city.  Now, a few months after I started full time, they're trying to get me to come work with them.  Though I don't have a number yet, it promises to be a significant salary bump (I won't leave otherwise).  Generally, it sounds like a great opportunity, with lots of good work. 

I have no beef with my current firm or anyone there.  I've always felt very lucky to have the job, and they've treated me well. But I'm confident I would enjoy working with these other people more, as I've worked with them in the past.  My only reservation (and it's a big one) is leaving my current firm after only 6 months full time.  Is that a good reason to pass on this opportunity? 

Thanks for your feedback.

Ask the new firm if they would be OK with you waiting another 6 months so that you have at least a year to show on your resume.  I would think that they would understand.

Is it worth it to give up 6 months of a pay raise just to say that you were at a firm for a full year?  I still not convinced it will make that much of a difference to future employers, especially if he/she stays at the new firm for some time. 

[UVAgal4]

I just logged on to ask this same question.  My situation: I graduated in May and started with the boutique where I'd summered the year before.  Just before I started full time, my four favorite people, including the associate who was my mentor and the partner who hired me, left for another firm in the same city.  Now, a few months after I started full time, they're trying to get me to come work with them.  Though I don't have a number yet, it promises to be a significant salary bump (I won't leave otherwise).  Generally, it sounds like a great opportunity, with lots of good work. 

I have no beef with my current firm or anyone there.  I've always felt very lucky to have the job, and they've treated me well. But I'm confident I would enjoy working with these other people more, as I've worked with them in the past.  My only reservation (and it's a big one) is leaving my current firm after only 6 months full time.  Is that a good reason to pass on this opportunity? 

Thanks for your feedback.

In this case, I think I would make the move, sooner rather than later. Any raised eyebrows by future employers looking over your resume and wondering why you only spent X months at the firm can easily be explained away by "The partner and associate with whom I had worked during my internship had decided to launch a new firm, and I followed them..."

[klaviernista]

Generally, it sounds like a great opportunity, with lots of good work.... 

... I'm confident I would enjoy working with these other people more, as I've worked with them in the past.  My only reservation (and it's a big one) is leaving my current firm after only 6 months full time.  Is that a good reason to pass on this opportunity? 

Couple points:

1.  Don't underestimate the value of working with folks that you like.  It can make a tough job much more tolerable.

2.  Don't overestimate the value of a salary bump, especially if a lower paying job will ultimately give you better experience, or allow you to work with a more successful/experienced attorney.  You are new to this business.  Getting the best experience should be your goal.  Once you have that experience (and the skills to go with it), you can become your own source of income.

3.  Stability in an importwant consideration.  Is the potentail new firm an established place of business (i.e., did your former colleagues merge into another existing firm)?  Or is it a new shop?  If the latter, what does their client base look like?  Will they have enough work for the forseeable future to keep you employed?   How about the existing job?

4.  The value of staying a a firm for a year is somewhat overblown, particularly in the circumstances you describe.  You have a very clear and understandable explanation for taking off for the new firm.  So if that is the only thing stopping you from taking the new position, you might want to give serious thought as to whether you are overemphasizing the importance of the "1 year residence."  No one will care whether you jumped ship to join a new firm 6 months after you started your first job.  Particularly if you spend many years at the new firm.

5.  Finally, It is alwasy best to take a measured approach to these situations.  Due your due diligence, and find out as much as you can about the new firm and the old firm so that you can make an informed decision.  You like working with your former colleagues, but what about other folks at the new firm?  Are you prepared to deal with the lack of (or simply different) structure at the new firm?  What are your prospects for upward mobility?  Etc.  These questions and more should be asked and answered before making a move one way or another.  Otherwise you might find yourself facing one or more unpleasant surprises.

Good luck.

Klav

[prufrock]

I very much appreciate your feedback, all.

Klav, I agree with all of your points. The new firm is in fact well-established and very profitable. My colleagues assure me that there will be lots of good work and good mentoring. I'm taking my time and asking a lot of questions. I expect to interview with the practice group leader next week; hopefully that will be a very informative conversation.

Thanks again to all for the advice.

[rwcltn]

there are no dream jobs in the patent practitioner field. between pain in the ass inventors/clients, pain in the ass patent examiners and sweat shop partners more like nightmares.