Asked for a recommendation [OP DDed, thanks guys!]

[v]

[don't be sad that you missed it -- it was boring and confusing]

[mich1]

I was in a similar situation, only I couldn't use the phrase "sorry, I never worked with him", because I did. I talked all around the issue, but never gave a straight answer. I think that my friend was bright enough to figure out that I wasn't going to badmouth someone that I was currently working with (and had to work with him for another 5 years), but wasn't going to recommend him.

As you've never worked directly with this person, that's what I'd do.

[dr.girlfriend]

Are they contacting you for scuttlebutt, or are you listed as a reference for any of these people? If the former, for C I would say, "I didn't work with him directly, but my casual contact with him was pleasant. you may want to contact D, who worked with him more directly." If he listed you as an official reference, I would just state your own opinion of him, and leave it to them to surmise why he listed a reference who didn't work with him directly.

[jinkies]

I would leave it at "Sorry, I never worked directly with him."

You don't want to hurt C, and directing them to D would hurt him. But you also don't want to lie.

I'm assuming that you were contacted bc you are all friends and they know you worked at the same firm, and not because you are listed as an official reference.

[boiler717]

I would say you haven't worked to him but recently heard D comment about his work if she is looking for feedback.

[v]

Sept 2, 2015 12:01:39 GMT -5 jinkies said:

I'm assuming that you were contacted bc you are all friends and they know you worked at the same firm, and not because you are listed as an official reference.

This is correct. I am not a listed reference -- just someone in our small and incestuous world who they trust who knows him.

[anna7602]

I don't think I would mention D at all unless A was asking for more info, which I can see happening. But if there's an F, G or H with whom C worked directly and is no longer at that firm, I may mention D among those people. Ie, "I never worked with him directly, but D and G may be worth talking to about C..."

[agnes]

I would keep D out of it and leave it at, "I did not work directly with C and this was my experience with them."

[drloretta]

Does A know D?

I would be tempted to say you didn't work directly with him, and hope A can read between the lines that you don't have anything particularly stellar to say about him.

But when A or B contact you about E, sing E's praises to drive home the point that this is the person they should hire.

[brooke77]

I would reply that I never worked with C directly so I can't provide any insight on skillset. I would leave it at that. Do not offer up D.

[agnes]

Srsly, offering up D makes it seem gossipy. But I don't know how it works in the Lawyer World. Maybe it's a-okay to do that.

[v]

I will punt and leave it at I didn't work with him -- thanks guys!