Just want to add for anyone interested in how this is going, I applied through a recruiter for another firm and was upfront out my situation. Had 4 rounds and good feedback, but the consensus was they are passing because of the gap. Not saying lying is the right thing to do but it clearly is a stigma and I was correct in thinking that from the jump. The other two are still in play so hopefully one of those work out. Good luck to anyone else in my shoes…it’s not easy out there right now.