I know that you said you were comfortable with the money side and an upfront disclaimer is that I don't know the culture of your legal and business community but in my experience, corporate clients don't follow a paralegal to a new firm, even if the para is the primary point of contact and actually does the bulk of the work. Those clients generally have other relationships with a firm and the assumption is that the firm will still find a way to do the work even if the para leaves.

My guess is that you've already thought about the conflict situation but, although there isn't an ethical one, might there be the perception of one? My legal department only helped with immigration for people in "critical" positions and left everyone else to fend for themselves -which sometimes created resentments. Do you think your current client base would care if your firm represented employers as well?

I think getting to know her is probably the best approach and you may want to see if you can have your #2 there for at least part of the meeting, just to see if there is potential for them clicking. If people like working together, salary differnces based on education levels isn't a problem; if they don't, it becomes the wedge between them and, as you say, in a small office, everyone is affected.

It sounds like in both cases (representing businesses and individuals) the firm is on the side of helping immigrants. So long as the corporate business does not means turning down individuals, I can't see a conflict. I don't get the impression Stephanie's firm is doing a bunch of pro-bono anyway, and unless this means not taking pro-bono work that otherwise would be accepted don't see the conflict between helping immigrants who pay out of their own pocket and immigrants whose fees are being paid by their bosses. I have not opinion on the business side, not my area, but I have trouble seeing either an ethical conflict or a perception of one. Doctors will see you whether your insurance is paid for out of your own pocket or whether you have a boss paying your insurance premium. Again if the rich corporate clients would crowd out your existing client base I can see conflict, but otherwise no.

Much of the decision will likely be made on a gut instinct level when you meet with her and discuss expectations.

If she is expecting to become a lawyer in 2-3 years will she then likely strike out on her own at that point if partnership isn't an option? Is this also something to be considered and discussed?

I think you can't discount culture. You want to protect what you have. I'd have her in for a long interview/training day and see how she meshes. She's going to be A. nervous and B. on her best behavior, but that should still give you an idea. If her "best" behavior doesn't show you someone eager to fit in and do things your way, it's a red flag.

OK, on what Scrappy said I do have experience. And she is 100% right. Fit is important, and if her "best behavior" does not show a damn good fit, that is indeed a red flag. In short put a lot of weight on the interview, and have tough standards for how you rate her performance on that interview. It is up to her to sell you, even though you approached her. If she feels otherwise, that itself is a red flag.

Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure I was right putting so much emphasis on culture but my gut was telling me I needed to.

Fwiw, I think the only possible ethical issue is that she can't "bring clients with her". They can follow but she can't approach them. So I need to make that clear and make her understand the risk she is taking. It's worth it for me to risk 2-3 months salary but she won't be able to go back so it's a bigger risk for her.

Other than that, I've decided to take my #2 with me. I can't remember if I had made up my mind in that when I posted but I want to send the signal that she and I are a team and that her vote had a lot if weight with me.

I think I will have to pay close attention tomorrow and see how it goes. She was pleasant and deferential on the phone (probably also a little shocked) but *I* need to remember how much I have accomplished. I'm the opposite of arrogant but in this case, I think I need to be clear to myself that I'm the boss/decision maker here.

I think the only possible ethical issue is that she can't "bring clients with her". They can follow but she can't approach them.

She's not an attorney, right? Unless there was some agreement with the firm?

Yeah, I took some short cuts with that statement. She's not an attorney. But I would still be worried if she was talking to clients prior to leaving and then coming to work for me. Well maybe not worried but not happy. Even just being sued would be a huge expense and not worth it to me.

In case everyone was wondering, I met with the paralegal and I liked her. Even more important, my #2 liked her a lot and gave her a hug when we left! So we will see what she wants to do. I did get a good feeling from her.

That is very good news! I hope it works out better than all expectations for all of you.