Lawyers: What's Your Typical Day? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Rising 3L considering a switch to bankruptcy work. If you work primarily with creditors, is that a lit practice or more of a transactional practice? Do most firms blend their bankruptcy litigation and "bankruptcy - other" attorneys?

[FullRamboLSGrad]

Rising 3L considering a switch to bankruptcy work. If you work primarily with creditors, is that a lit practice or more of a transactional practice? Do most firms blend their bankruptcy litigation and "bankruptcy - other" attorneys?

That depends on market and firm. You might end up appearing in court to hear sob stories all day and that's a very real scenario.

[peter2009]

Rising 3L considering a switch to bankruptcy work. If you work primarily with creditors, is that a lit practice or more of a transactional practice? Do most firms blend their bankruptcy litigation and "bankruptcy - other" attorneys?

That depends on market and firm. You might end up appearing in court to hear sob stories all day and that's a very real scenario.

Agree that it depends on the firm. Some are more litigation focused (Quinn Emanuel, Brown Rudnick) some more transactional (Davis Polk). Not sure what the reference to sob stories is about.

[lawschoolftw]

I'm assuming he's referring to consumer work on the creditor's side where you hear a lot of sob stories about individuals and the circumstances giving rise to their financial woes.

If we're talking large commercial chapter 11 work, then I also have no idea what the sob story reference is to.

[robinhoodOO]

Rising 3L considering a switch to bankruptcy work. If you work primarily with creditors, is that a lit practice or more of a transactional practice? Do most firms blend their bankruptcy litigation and "bankruptcy - other" attorneys?

I've clerked at a BK office in Northern California for a couple years through law school (doing pretty much everything). Hit me up if you have particular questions. It's an interesting area of the law, with lots of overlap into other areas (i.e. tax, family law/CP, lending, etc.)

[robinhoodOO]

I'm assuming he's referring to consumer work on the creditor's side where you hear a lot of sob stories about individuals and the circumstances giving rise to their financial woes.

If we're talking large commercial chapter 11 work, then I also have no idea what the sob story reference is to.

I think you'd be surprised. There are some big 11's out there dealing with close corporations with large family businesses/farms. That's the exception, not the rule, but I think you see it sprinkled throughout.

[lawschoolftw]

I'm assuming he's referring to consumer work on the creditor's side where you hear a lot of sob stories about individuals and the circumstances giving rise to their financial woes.

If we're talking large commercial chapter 11 work, then I also have no idea what the sob story reference is to.

I think you'd be surprised. There are some big 11's out there dealing with close corporations with large family businesses/farms. That's the exception, not the rule, but I think you see it sprinkled throughout.

Yeah, you know what, I stand corrected. Thinking about some of the smaller Chapter 11's I've worked on, at least once in the case, whether in a depo or a confirmation story, we almost always hear how the big bad bank ran the small business into the ground etc etc.

[robinhoodOO]

I'm assuming he's referring to consumer work on the creditor's side where you hear a lot of sob stories about individuals and the circumstances giving rise to their financial woes.

If we're talking large commercial chapter 11 work, then I also have no idea what the sob story reference is to.

I think you'd be surprised. There are some big 11's out there dealing with close corporations with large family businesses/farms. That's the exception, not the rule, but I think you see it sprinkled throughout.

Yeah, you know what, I stand corrected. Thinking about some of the smaller Chapter 11's I've worked on, at least once in the case, whether in a depo or a confirmation story, we almost always hear how the big bad bank ran the small business into the ground etc etc.

Yup. Had a huge family farm that was a close corporation doing a Ch. 11. There was a hostile takeover by a long time friend of the family (who was on the board). Extremely messy. Lots of sob stories; backstabbing, etc.

There was also an individual Ch. 11 by a big time developer in Sonoma County. Hundreds of millions in play, lots of which was invested from friends and family. Hundreds of lives destroyed by his investments.

Anyway, all that said: I think the other poster was just referring to Debtor sob stories. People tend to think of bankruptcy from a very skewed perspective...

[lawschoolftw]

I'm assuming he's referring to consumer work on the creditor's side where you hear a lot of sob stories about individuals and the circumstances giving rise to their financial woes.

If we're talking large commercial chapter 11 work, then I also have no idea what the sob story reference is to.

I think you'd be surprised. There are some big 11's out there dealing with close corporations with large family businesses/farms. That's the exception, not the rule, but I think you see it sprinkled throughout.

Yeah, you know what, I stand corrected. Thinking about some of the smaller Chapter 11's I've worked on, at least once in the case, whether in a depo or a confirmation story, we almost always hear how the big bad bank ran the small business into the ground etc etc.

Yup. Had a huge family farm that was a close corporation doing a Ch. 11. There was a hostile takeover by a long time friend of the family (who was on the board). Extremely messy. Lots of sob stories; backstabbing, etc.

There was also an individual Ch. 11 by a big time developer in Sonoma County. Hundreds of millions in play, lots of which was invested from friends and family. Hundreds of lives destroyed by his investments.

Anyway, all that said: I think the other poster was just referring to Debtor sob stories. People tend to think of bankruptcy from a very skewed perspective...

These cases always make for interesting disclosure statements though.

[Anonymous User]

Attorney at State Appellate Court

8:30 = Get to work
8:30-9 = Catch up news
9-11:45 = Work on case
11:45-12:45 = Lunch
12:45 -4:15 = Work on case
4:30 = Leave (and do not think about work until the next day).

I am in a state where many of the appellate law clerks are career clerks, and one of the only ways to become a clerk is work first for the appellate court as an attorney. We handle more simple appellate cases (mostly criminal) and do research/memos for the judges. It's a great job. You learn a lot and have a terrific work/life balance. You will not get rich, but with a working significant other, you make enough. But honestly, I worked in a big law firm before starting this job, and I would not trade my fancy office with a window and paycheck for the stress-free work environment, hours and happiness I now have.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Attorney at State Appellate Court

8:30 = Get to work
8:30-9 = Catch up news
9-11:45 = Work on case
11:45-12:45 = Lunch
12:45 -4:15 = Work on case
4:30 = Leave (and do not think about work until the next day).

I am in a state where many of the appellate law clerks are career clerks, and one of the only ways to become a clerk is work first for the appellate court as an attorney. We handle more simple appellate cases (mostly criminal) and do research/memos for the judges. It's a great job. You learn a lot and have a terrific work/life balance. You will not get rich, but with a working significant other, you make enough. But honestly, I worked in a big law firm before starting this job, and I would not trade my fancy office with a window and paycheck for the stress-free work environment, hours and happiness I now have.

Two questions:

1. I won't ask you to out the state, but what part of the country?
2. Can i have your job?

[ForgotMyPassword]

Can anyone speak to IP litigation (Not patent prosecution) in biglaw or IP boutique firms? What's the day to day like for a junior associate, what are the common assignments and major practice areas, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone practice in anti-dumping and countervailing duties? What's a typical day like? Also, in a big law firm, would you be relegated to only AD/CVD work or would you practice in other international trade areas as well? I'm also interested to hear about DOC experience. I know this is a rather small field, so my questions are a bit of a long shot.

[DildaMan]

Can anyone speak to IP litigation (Not patent prosecution) in biglaw or IP boutique firms? What's the day to day like for a junior associate, what are the common assignments and major practice areas, etc.

IP Lit in SV

6:30 AM Wake up and answer emails
7:30 AM In office
11:30-12:15 PM Lunch
2:00-3:00 PM Meeting (Client/Expert/Internal)
7:30 PM Leave office
9:00 PM Usually last call for emails
11:00 PM Zzz

Common Assignments
Document Review
Drafting/Responding to Discovery Requests
Infringement/Invalidity Contentions
Make Binders for Depositions

[ForgotMyPassword]

Can anyone speak to IP litigation (Not patent prosecution) in biglaw or IP boutique firms? What's the day to day like for a junior associate, what are the common assignments and major practice areas, etc.

IP Lit in SV

6:30 AM Wake up and answer emails
7:30 AM In office
11:30-12:15 PM Lunch
2:00-3:00 PM Meeting (Client/Expert/Internal)
7:30 PM Leave office
9:00 PM Usually last call for emails
11:00 PM Zzz

Common Assignments
Document Review
Drafting/Responding to Discovery Requests
Infringement/Invalidity Contentions
Make Binders for Depositions

Thanks for the response, this s helpful! I was surprised you're at the office 12 hours a day, doubly so that you still get 8 hours of sleep a day.

Could you go into infringement / invalidity contentions a bit more? Also, what's the best way to pitch an interest in ip lit, so far I've just focused on what little engineering background I have coupled with how much I loved my lit focused 1L summer (Non-IP work though). Thanls again!

Edit: Forgot to ask, almost all my inteeviews are in SV or SF, if you can share insight on firm reps either here or through pm I'd appreciate it!

[DildaMan]

Could you go into infringement / invalidity contentions a bit more? Also, what's the best way to pitch an interest in ip lit, so far I've just focused on what little engineering background I have coupled with how much I loved my lit focused 1L summer (Non-IP work though). Thanls again!

Edit: Forgot to ask, almost all my inteeviews are in SV or SF, if you can share insight on firm reps either here or through pm I'd appreciate it!

Infringement/Invalidity Contentions

For infringement contentions, you basically outline your claim elements and how the patent reads on the infringing technology.
For invalidity contentions, you basically outline the prior art and how the patent is anticipated, obvious, or otherwise invalid.

They're both pretty rote tasks. You'll spend a lot of time with your expert.

Interest in IP Lit

If you have a degree in CS/CE/EE, you're probably set for IP in SF/SV. I think if you look up some recent cases and firm clients, that would demonstrate an interest in the firm. If you're taking a bunch of IP related classes in the upcoming semesters/quarters, that helps too.

There are a lot of firms doing IP out here. I'll PM you regarding the firms.

[silenttimer]

10:03 p.m. -- perusing TLS when I should be working. That should tell you something about being a lawyer.

[jayclay]

7:30: Wake up.
7:50: Leave for work.
8:00: Roll into work.
8:00-8:30: Check my e-mail, check news, get coffee, chat with co-workers.
8:30-9:00: Prep for the 9:00 court calendar, review files, make sure everything is in order, ask assigned attorney any questions
9:00-10:00: Court hearings - arraignments, status conferences, pleas, review hearings, etc
10:00-12:00: Review intake case-files and warrants, preparing plea offers and discussing them with defense, appeals, motions, etc.
12:00 - 1:00: Lunch.
1:00-1:30: Prep for afternoon calendar
1:30: Court hearings - arraignments, status conferences, pleas, review hearings, etc.
2:30-5:00: Review intake case-files and warrants, preparing plea offers and discussing them with defense, appeals, motions, etc.
5:00- --: Happy hour, gym, movies, beach, etc.



When I have an upcoming trial/appellate argument/important motion hearing this schedule elongates. Usually one JT every six weeks on average.

[jayclay]

7:30: Wake up.
7:50: Leave for work.
8:00: Roll into work.
8:00-8:30: Check my e-mail, check news, get coffee, chat with co-workers.
8:30-9:00: Prep for the 9:00 court calendar, review files, make sure everything is in order, ask assigned attorney any questions
9:00-10:00: Court hearings - arraignments, status conferences, pleas, review hearings, etc
10:00-12:00: Review intake case-files and warrants, preparing plea offers and discussing them with defense, appeals, motions, etc.
12:00 - 1:00: Lunch.
1:00-1:30: Prep for afternoon calendar
1:30: Court hearings - arraignments, status conferences, pleas, review hearings, etc.
2:30-5:00: Review intake case-files and warrants, preparing plea offers and discussing them with defense, appeals, motions, etc.
5:00- --: Happy hour, gym, movies, beach, etc.



When I have an upcoming trial/appellate argument/important motion hearing this schedule elongates.

[Anonymous User]

Junior associate at a specialized complex litigation boutique.

7:00 wake up, breakfast and coffee, read news, shower, etc.
8:45 leave for work, read fiction on the train
9:45 arrive at work, read news, and check emails
10:00 do work
1:00 run out to grab food somewhere, eat at desk while browsing Internet
1:30 resume working
6:30 go home, answer very occasional emails in the evening (probably average one every other night)

I have the occasional late night at the office, but I'd say I stay past 8:00 pm at most twice a month unless we're pre-trial or something. It's a good life.

[to116]

Junior associate at a specialized complex litigation boutique.

7:00 wake up, breakfast and coffee, read news, shower, etc.
8:45 leave for work, read fiction on the train
9:45 arrive at work, read news, and check emails
10:00 do work
1:00 run out to grab food somewhere, eat at desk while browsing Internet
1:30 resume working
6:30 go home, answer very occasional emails in the evening (probably average one every other night)

I have the occasional late night at the office, but I'd say I stay past 8:00 pm at most twice a month unless we're pre-trial or something. It's a good life.

this sounds pretty manageable. Are you in a major market?

[Anonymous User]

Junior associate at a specialized complex litigation boutique.

7:00 wake up, breakfast and coffee, read news, shower, etc.
8:45 leave for work, read fiction on the train
9:45 arrive at work, read news, and check emails
10:00 do work
1:00 run out to grab food somewhere, eat at desk while browsing Internet
1:30 resume working
6:30 go home, answer very occasional emails in the evening (probably average one every other night)

I have the occasional late night at the office, but I'd say I stay past 8:00 pm at most twice a month unless we're pre-trial or something. It's a good life.

this sounds pretty manageable. Are you in a major market?

Yes. East coast.

[jofsnark13]

Any associates out there willing to share their experience working on a class action case? I know this is super specific, but I'd love to hear about a typical day during the discovery process and from the plaintiff firm's perspective.

[lawschoolftw]

Junior associate at a specialized complex litigation boutique.

7:00 wake up, breakfast and coffee, read news, shower, etc.
8:45 leave for work, read fiction on the train
9:45 arrive at work, read news, and check emails
10:00 do work
1:00 run out to grab food somewhere, eat at desk while browsing Internet
1:30 resume working
6:30 go home, answer very occasional emails in the evening (probably average one every other night)

I have the occasional late night at the office, but I'd say I stay past 8:00 pm at most twice a month unless we're pre-trial or something. It's a good life.

this sounds pretty manageable. Are you in a major market?

Yes. East coast.

Do you have a low billable requirement? Doing rough math you're only working 8 hours a day, so even if you're super efficient you're only billing 7.5ish.

[Anonymous User]

Junior associate at a specialized complex litigation boutique.

7:00 wake up, breakfast and coffee, read news, shower, etc.
8:45 leave for work, read fiction on the train
9:45 arrive at work, read news, and check emails
10:00 do work
1:00 run out to grab food somewhere, eat at desk while browsing Internet
1:30 resume working
6:30 go home, answer very occasional emails in the evening (probably average one every other night)

I have the occasional late night at the office, but I'd say I stay past 8:00 pm at most twice a month unless we're pre-trial or something. It's a good life.

this sounds pretty manageable. Are you in a major market?

Yes. East coast.

Do you have a low billable requirement? Doing rough math you're only working 8 hours a day, so even if you're super efficient you're only billing 7.5ish.

Yes. Requirement is 1600. And don't get me wrong, stuff comes up occasionally where I'm billing two 12-hour days in a row or staying till midnight to get a filing done, it's just not very common at all. I work hard when I need to, I don't when I don't need to.