New atty burning a bridge with managing partner
Fellow attorneys, I’ve had my law license for two years now. For those two years, I’ve worked at a small firm in IL. For a few months now, the work environment at my firm has became a lot worse and I’m processing that I have to find a new firm. I’ve started working closer in proximity lately with the managing partner and he has been verbally abusive on more than one occasion. I think he made some bad investments at the beginning of the year and he’s been taking it out of his staff. It really feels like he uses us as a punching bag.
I can’t continue to work here, but I’m worried about applying to new firms and not being able to use him as a reference. We’re just not on good terms. Does anyone have any guidance on how to navigate this? Or even just some words of encouragement? Realizing I have to leave has been difficult. I love the work but it’s becoming really unhealthy to continue to work for this person.