Top 5 Holiday Gifts To Yourself In Biglaw
How has this year gone for you? And how can you set yourself up for a strong 2022?
With the holidays approaching, now is a great time to reflect. Of course, the holidays are an opportunity to think about the important people in your life. Don’t forget to do that. But as we near the end of a very busy year for most Biglaw attorneys, you may also want to think a bit about yourself. How has this year gone for you? And how can you set yourself up for a strong 2022?
With that in mind, here are the top 5 holiday gifts to give yourself if you work in Biglaw.
Attend lots of holiday parties
Okay, not literally. Holiday parties can sometimes be a lot of fun, but you know what’s better than being hosted at a holiday party? Having firms flatter you, court you, and maybe throw a six-figure signing bonus at you! Just as your inbox will soon be brimming with party invitations, there will be no shortage of firms seeking to host you if you decide to start the lateral interview process. The market remains exceptionally hot, so you’d be wise to accept a few invitations and see how it goes.
Make your shopping list
In case you aren’t sure you want to stick with your current firm, now is as good a time as any to think broadly about your goals and make a list of your ideal employers. Are you drawn to big firms? Boutiques? In-house roles? There’s no wrong answers, but just as with holiday gifts, your list isn’t going to make itself!
Consider whether your firm has been naughty or nice
At a time when attorneys have a lot of options, it’s worth reflecting on how your firm has been treating you lately. Has it paid special bonuses in line with the top of the market? Is it promising a flexible remote work policy in 2022? If your firm hasn’t been showing much appreciation of your efforts, there’s a good chance some other firm is ready to treat you right.
Send your holiday cards
After two years of relative isolation, there’s nothing like a personal touch to let your clients and other professional contacts know you’re thinking of them. So send a card or pick up the phone and give someone a call. They’ll be happy to hear from you. And it’s a good investment in your future. From winning at business development to receiving a heads up about intriguing professional opportunities, a strong network will pay continuing and sometimes unexpected benefits in the years to come.
Ensure you have a happy New Year’s Eve
You know what sets you up for a great New Year’s Eve celebration, besides plenty of champagne? Having secured a fat year-end bonus. If your firm pays at 1950 hours and you’re at 1820, it’s time to hustle! Don’t let yourself fall just short of a $50k or more bonus. The champagne will taste sweeter with an extra five-figure check in the bank!
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We at Lateral Link wish you and your loved ones a joyous and healthy holiday season. If you think a new role could help you have a happier 2022, or even if you’d just like some more information about what’s going on in this crazy lateral market, we invite you to contact us.
Ed. note: This is the latest installment in a series of posts from Lateral Link’s team of expert contributors. This post is by Matt Ritter, a Principal based in California, where he focuses on moving partners and associates into prominent positions with elite firms and companies throughout the U.S., with a focus on the California and New York markets. Matt has a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and was a corporate associate at both Kirkland & Ellis and Mayer Brown in NYC. Matt has also toured as a comedian, and wrote and produced a few hit TV shows… now he’s trying to help lawyers find their dream jobs! So you could say he’s not your typical recruiter.
Lateral Link is one of the top-rated international legal recruiting firms. With over 14 offices worldwide, Lateral Link specializes in placing attorneys at the most prestigious law firms and companies in the world. Managed by former practicing attorneys from top law schools, Lateral Link has a tradition of hiring lawyers to execute the lateral leaps of practicing attorneys. Click here to find out more about us.
