Reply to Big Law - HR meeting out of the blue

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[quote=Anonymous]I feel very bad for OP, and I have been posting all along that I'd be surprised if they were letting her go this close to leave. The facts here are a little unusual. But a few more comments:

- This is exactly how law firms let people go. Few associates have "performance issues". So when there's not enough work to go around, by necessity, the firm will be letting go of totally competent associates. 
- What other non law industries do (PIP, only lay off for performance issues, give you a chance to improve) isn't relevant to biglaw, where there is a well understood system. 
- OP's severance is atypically short. I would push back there. 
- OP said she was just back from leave. But she came back in September. That's potentially 5 full months ago. We are now starting to creep into the territory of no longer being fresh back from leave. 
- Having seen a lot of associates in my biglaw career, partners rarely dislike associates. Associates have great resumes, are always exceptionally bright, and went through significant interviews to ensure culture match.  Mostly, we partners would describe associates as anywhere from perfectly nice and good worker, to awesome rockstar. But nonetheless, there is a clearly different preference/energy vis a vis the rockstar associates versus the perfectly good associates. I've been in both camps at different points in my career. When you're in the former camp, everyone likes you, you get work, you get good feedback, but what's missing is the extra thing where you can tell they are grooming you for better things. It may not even be about you; it may just be that each partner in your group has an existing relationship with a rockstar associate who they prefer working with, and they will happily give you the overflow work. But you're just not getting the same access to work and clients and gossip and mentoring as those rockstars.  I could see that happening at my old firm, and that's literally why I left (despite good reviews). At my new firm, i ultimately found myself in that place for a few years (a same-year attorney actively trying to push me out of the group because she wanted all work to funnel through her), and then the other attorney left and my status changed instantly back to rockstar. But in both those periods, I was getting good feedback, I was good at my job, people liked me, but I could see that the minute the market turned, I'd be let go. The point of that story is that there is no way OP's firm is letting her go if she is a rockstar. I'm sure she is very good at her job and well liked. But the writing would have been on the wall before her leave if you were looking for it.  That is the law firm contract: They will pay you absurd amounts of money for you to make them absurd amounts of money, but if you can't do that anymore, then you are out.  You just need to be acutely aware of that on a daily basis in your job and can't ever assume that just because people like you and you do a good job, you won't get fired. This is commonly known in lawfirms and associates that put blinders on do so at their own peril.

I think great recession was different, where some firms were laying off whole summer associate classes, etc. Totally different beast.

Ultimately i think OP will be fine. There are tons of firms and industries that are hiring, espeically if you're willing to open your mind to different practices.  
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