“Buchanan helped me navigate a challenging career transition with clarity and support. They rebuilt my market narrative, prepared me thoroughly, and positioned me for a role that aligned perfectly with my long-term goals. I felt confident throughout the process and thrilled with the outcome.”
The Situation:
A talented fifth-year associate began her career in Capital Markets at a leading international firm but was unexpectedly moved into a Special Situations/Restructuring role during an internal reshuffle while on secondment. After relocating from New York to Washington, DC for family reasons, she wanted to return to Capital Markets and realign her long-term career trajectory.
The Challenge:
The candidate faced several significant hurdles:
- She had been shifted out of her preferred practice despite strong Capital Markets training.
- Relocating to DC narrowed the pool of suitable opportunities.
- She had been inactive in the market for several years.
- Firms often struggle to assess candidates whose experience has been shaped by internal restructuring rather than personal choice.
The Approach:
We proactively re-engaged the candidate and rebuilt her market narrative, showcasing her Capital Markets foundation while positioning her Special Situations experience as value-added. Key steps included:
- Targeted introductions to top Capital Markets practices in DC and New York.
- Submissions across 13 firms, maintaining momentum despite initial silence.
- Strong traction with Dechert, leading to an extended screening interview.
- Thorough preparation, enabling her to demonstrate technical depth and long-term commitment to Capital Markets.
- Early discussions around class-year and bonus considerations to manage expectations.
The Outcome:
Dechert recognized both her transactional background and the circumstances of her temporary practice shift. They offered:
- A Capital Markets associate role in the Washington, DC office.
- Full class-year protection.
- A guaranteed full year-end bonus despite joining mid-cycle.
This role perfectly aligned with her desired geography, practice focus, and career path.
The Result:
Through a strategic and persistent search, the candidate secured a role that restored her intended career path and protected her seniority and compensation. Dechert strengthened its Capital Markets team with a motivated, well-trained associate ready to make an immediate impact.
