In the legal profession, transitions carry real consequences. As a practical matter - and from the perspective of both a hiring manager and a recruiter - voluntarily leaving a role without another position secured should be avoided whenever possible.
First, law firms and legal departments rely heavily on risk assessment. When they review a resume showing a voluntary gap with no clear explanation, the presumption often cuts the wrong way. Employers may question judgment, performance, or temperament, even when the reality is far more benign. That initial doubt can become a barrier that no amount of interviewing fully erases.
Second, leverage matters. Candidates who are currently employed are generally perceived as more market-competitive and are positioned to negotiate compensation, title, and integration into a practice group more effectively. Conversely, once a lawyer is between roles, the market has a way of narrowing options and eroding bargaining power.
Finally, timing is rarely perfect in this industry. Hiring cycles shift quickly, conflicts arise, budgets tighten, and searches stall with little warning. Maintaining active employment while you explore a move offers stability, income, and the ability to wait for the right opportunity rather than the first available one.
There are, of course, exceptions - hostile work environments, ethical concerns, or personal circumstances that require immediate change. But absent those situations, staying in your current role until you have an executed offer in hand is almost always the sounder professional strategy.
As with any significant career decision, preparation and cautiousness protect long-term interests. In the legal market, that cautiousness starts with staying employed while you plan your next step.