Check It Out: Quinn Emanuel's Bold New Lateral Hire Strategy

The firm is bucking tradition again.

Quinn Emanuel has long been a firm looking to disrupt the usual path of legal recruiting. Two years ago they announced they were basically ending their summer associate program — the traditional method Biglaw uses to restock its ranks –and focusing on hiring 3Ls, clerks, and laterals.

But it isn’t easy to hire good lateral associates — you’re getting a project some other firm has started, and you can’t be sure exactly what’s under the hood. There’s also the secrecy surrounding the process, as midlevel associates probably don’t want to advertise to their superiors that they’re looking for a new firm, plus the fees firms pay to legal recruiters to ensure they get the best and the brightest of the lot.

Once again, Quinn is finding a new and interesting way to do things, sending invitations to a “conversation” to the crème de la crème of midlevel associates in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The solicitation seeks midlevels for discussion, opinions, and refreshments, in the hopes the firm will find someone they are interested in bringing on.

The events, one in each of the three locations, are designed as more than just a cocktail party. Each hour will serve as its own session and focus on a specific thought-provoking prompt, and candidates (though it maybe too early in the process to really call them that) will be scheduled to discuss one of the following:

  • Artificial Intelligence: Can we expect AI to exercise sound judgment?
  • Generational Stereotyping: on point or prejudicial?
  • Brainstorm: the necessary and expected skills the make for great trial lawyers.
  • Lawyers in Balance: litigation can be part of a diverse life and personal obligations often feel like work.
  • Loyalty and Lateral Change: where guilt and career advancement intersect.
  • To Represent or Not To Represent: what do lawyers do when this question gets sticky?

Naturally, the firm will take care to ensure midlevels from the same firm aren’t in the same session — it might be embarrassing to know your colleague is also looking to jump ship.

It really is a departure from how things usually go in Biglaw, but with Quinn do you expect anything different?

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You can read the full invite on the next page.


headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. ATL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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