WR: Am I reading too much into this?

[Susie]

I just got an email that says:

Susie,
Sorry to keep you waiting for the office swap.  Founding Partner B and I have been looking at our firm growth strategies – including attorney career paths - and want to make the office move part of this process.  Are you available to sit down with us in the next week or so.  I’m out of the office Thursday-Mon – so maybe next week.
 
Thanks,
Founding Partner A

--

To recap:  I am up for partner sometime in the next year.  A little over a month ago, I asked to move from my office into a larger office vacated by a partner who left our firm this winter.  I got a yes/probably/there are some things to iron out first sort of answer.

I'm trying not to count chickens before they hatch, but... this is good, right?  Like potentially really good, 7 years of work here paying off, kind of good?  I am dying with impatience to just have whatever discussion is coming.

[Deleted]

I think so Sounds like he wants to wait to move you until they announce your promotion.

[Deleted]

I certainly don't read anything potentially bad into it. If it wasn't good news for you, I think they would have just said no, stay in your associate office, and it wouldn't have been a time-consuming or meeting-needing determination.

But it would kill me to have to wait until next week for that meeting and would be trying desperately to push for today or tomorrow.

[hbomdiggity]

Omg. Holy anticipation. and you have to wait until next week?!?

[mbcdefg]

I think it sounds like potential good news. Good luck!

[Susie]

Mar 5, 2013 10:35:54 GMT -5 v said:

I certainly don't read anything potentially bad into it. If it wasn't good news for you, I think they would have just said no, stay in your associate office, and it wouldn't have been a time-consuming or meeting-needing determination.

But it would kill me to have to wait until next week for that meeting and would be trying desperately to push for today or tomorrow.

It is.  For both the obvious reason, and the fact that I am leaving for Germany on a work matter at the end of next week and I'd really prefer to celebrate this this week, and then be back to business as usual next week so I can appropriately stress over actual work

Assuming there's something to celebrate of course.

[Deleted]

Is anyone else approaching partner status around the same time or before? Like maybe they're putting someone else in there? Not to be a Negative Nelly of course but my mind goes BAD when something is vague so I can mentally prepare myself!

[dexteroni]

Mar 5, 2013 10:34:42 GMT -5 @lcap said:

I think so Sounds like he wants to wait to move you until they announce your promotion.

This is what I got from it too. The only potential downside I see is that you might not be able to move into the new office as soon as you think, but it sounds promising overall.  I think I would reply "let's meet today or tomorrow." lol.

[kadams767]

Sounds pretty good to me. I can't imagine waiting on that either though! Good luck!

[Susie]

Mar 5, 2013 10:39:41 GMT -5 @blushnbashful said:

Is anyone else approaching partner status around the same time or before? Like maybe they're putting someone else in there? Not to be a Negative Nelly of course but my mind goes BAD when something is vague so I can mentally prepare myself!

My firm usually promotes groups of a couple new partners at a time, and does it somewhat infrequently.  The last group was maybe 5 years ago.  There's at least one other person I think is ready to make it, but I don't think it's a "him or me" situation.  I would expect we'd make it in the same class.  (He's a year behind me but insanely productive.)

[Deleted]

I read it as good news. Good luck

[jerseyjaybird]

I read this as good news. And I'd have a hard time waiting, too!

[SJ]

Exciting!

[genet313]

Exciting!!!!!!  

If they were going to keep you in your old office, they'd prob just tell you.  Unless you haven't had your annual review, in which case maybe it's that and they'll just combine the 2?  I don't think so though.  I feel excited for you.    

[womet]

It sounds like they want your move to the new office to occur when they announce you as a partner. :::fingers crossed:::

[vanillacourage]

I read that it could be good (i.e. you'll get partner with the office) or bad (someone else is making partner and they need to give the office to that person).

I don't want to be Debbie Downer - just saying that I would try my hardest to stay neutral leading up to the meeting.  But - fingers totally, totally crossed because I think it really could go either way.  Good luck!

[Deleted]

The waiting would kill me. I'm not good at that. And they said MAYBE next week...ack!!

[lmh1209]

Mar 5, 2013 11:12:44 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

I read that it could be good (i.e. you'll get partner with the office) or bad (someone else is making partner and they need to give the office to that person).

I don't want to be Debbie Downer - just saying that I would try my hardest to stay neutral leading up to the meeting.  But - fingers totally, totally crossed because I think it really could go either way.  Good luck!

A third option I will throw out is that they may be planning to consider promotions later in the year and to leave the office open until then.  The meeting could be a discussion of their decision-making process -- timeline, what they expect from you (maybe something like a memo making the case for partnership), etc.  

Good luck!

[aspentosh]

I read that as great news! I'd also try and get together with them tomorrow

[Roc A Bee]

Oh so exciting! Is there any way you can meet tomorrow? I wouldn't want to wait a full week.

[Susie]

Mar 5, 2013 10:54:52 GMT -5 genet313 said:

Exciting!!!!!!  

If they were going to keep you in your old office, they'd prob just tell you.  Unless you haven't had your annual review, in which case maybe it's that and they'll just combine the 2?  I don't think so though.  I feel excited for you.    

In most cases I'd think the review thing might be it, but in mine, I don't think is it. 

My annual review isn't due until July/August, and someone else does my review (not either founding partner).

[aurora]

I also think it sounds like potentially good news (or at least putting you on a path to good news). Please do update when you find out!

[jene]

I think it sounds good, keep us updated!

[boiler717]

Sounds great, good luck!

[justjen]

I also read this as potentially putting someone else in there, but I hope I'm wrong. Good luck!

[denise]

I read that as great news! Good luck!

[KaraOrNot]

I hope you get good news!

[Susie]

No "real" update, as I don't know when the sit-down will take place yet. But I did pop in to my supervising partner (that's who reviews me)'s office just for a quick "hey, I'm guessing you know that Founding A and Founding B have asked me to have a sit-down, everything copacetic?" If something was wrong, he'd be involved. He is generally a great advocate for me for career advancement, and has helped me to a number of opportunities that I might not have otherwise had.

He told me everything is good, "more than good." So I don't think someone else is getting the office. I am getting the impression that this discussion isn't "it" but that it's headed that way.

[dexteroni]

For a non-update, that's pretty good! Hopefully it will help the wait not be so agonizing.

[Deleted]

The OP and the follow-up both sound promising. How exciting!!