Tina Solis | The Lateral Playbook: What Lawyers Need to Know Before Changing Firms

Tina Solis is a partner at Nixon Peabody. She has built a national practice advising lawyers and law firms on high-stakes professional and business transitions. She's particularly known for representing individual attorneys and groups making lateral moves, helping them navigate complex partnership agreements, fiduciary obligations, and departure issues to protect their interests and minimize risk.

In addition to her lateral move work, Tina counsels firms on partnership disputes, mergers, succession planning, and dissolutions, drawing on her deep experience to guide clients through sensitive and often high-pressure situations. She also leads the firm’s Financial Institutions & Banking Disputes team, which represents institutions and individuals in a full range of civil litigation, enforcement matters, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitrations, and compliance investigations on issues such as consumer protection, fair lending, anti-money laundering, and violations of fiduciary duties.

Making a lateral move can be one of the most exciting—and stressful—decisions in a lawyer’s career. Yet many attorneys focus on the end result, like a new role or better opportunities, without carefully mapping out the steps to get there. 

Missteps happen more often than you'd think, and the consequences can be severe, from forfeiting significant compensation to facing contempt charges. From understanding partnership agreements to timing the transition, there are key considerations that can make the difference between a smooth move and a difficult one.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge podcast, Elise speaks with Tina Solis about why it’s essential to approach a lateral move with the same care and planning you’d devote to a major client matter. Tina shares practical advice on how to prepare, avoid common missteps, and make informed decisions that protect your reputation, relationships, and future success.

1:51 - Current market overview for lateral moves post-COVID

5:41 - Timing and financial considerations before changing firms

10:18 - Four common reasons for transitioning to another firm

15:34 - How to prepare and do your due diligence before moving

19:24 - Professionalism and preserving your reputation when leaving

22:26 - What to consider with your new firm

23:59 - Common mistakes lawyers make during transitions

32:35 - Frequency and nature of lateral moves today

36:24 - Key advice for successfully making a lateral move

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The Lawyer's Edge

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