Resigning? Ready Yourself for a Quick and Unceremonious Exit
If you are submitting a resignation to your law firm, it’s a good idea to get a jump on cleaning out your office.
Rid your office of embarrassing computer files and personal items, have other personal items ready to pack at a moment’s notice, and ready your files for transition, legal search consultants Valerie Fontaine and Roberta Kass advise in an article for Lawjobs.com.
You need to be prepared, they write, in case you are “escorted unceremoniously and expeditiously out the door” as soon as you give notice. Some firms prefer to limit exiting lawyers’ access to files, and if your firm has shown other resigning lawyers the door, you will likely be no different.
Kass and Fontaine caution against taking or deleting any information if it would be unethical. They also warn against soliciting clients before a resignation. Ethics experts recommend that clients be notified by a letter jointly issued by the law firm and the departing lawyer.
They also advise:
• Be constructive in the exit interview and don’t use it to rant or nitpick.
• Turn in requests for unclaimed reimbursements before you resign, and review policies regarding bonuses and continuation of health care.
• “Graciously accept” offers to go out for lunch or have drinks with colleagues, but don’t brag and don’t make the get-togethers into gripe sessions.
• Write thank-you notes to colleagues who have contributed to your career, remember their birthdays, and, if appropriate, refer business to them.
