Firm posts new opening - foreshadowing? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I started in a new firm recently and received a lukewarm opening from the attorneys there. Still getting used to the culture there, as it's markedly different than my last firm. Anyway, the same day that I started, the managing partner of my group posted a new opening for an associate of my level. I'm concerned that she reached a snap judgment that I suck and as a result she needs to hire someone new. Granted, I haven't made any mistakes yet, but who knows whether they are looking for something that I just plain don't have. Anyone ever witness an associate get laid off literally right after starting (assuming there was not a huge incident)?

[foregetaboutdre]

I started in a new firm recently and received a lukewarm opening from the attorneys there. Still getting used to the culture there, as it's markedly different than my last firm. Anyway, the same day that I started, the managing partner of my group posted a new opening for an associate of my level. I'm concerned that she reached a snap judgment that I suck and as a result she needs to hire someone new. Granted, I haven't made any mistakes yet, but who knows whether they are looking for something that I just plain don't have. Anyone ever witness an associate get laid off literally right after starting (assuming there was not a huge incident)?

Absolutely no way that they'd want to replace you on day one. First days of work are awkward at least IME.

[Anonymous User]

I started in a new firm recently and received a lukewarm opening from the attorneys there. Still getting used to the culture there, as it's markedly different than my last firm. Anyway, the same day that I started, the managing partner of my group posted a new opening for an associate of my level. I'm concerned that she reached a snap judgment that I suck and as a result she needs to hire someone new. Granted, I haven't made any mistakes yet, but who knows whether they are looking for something that I just plain don't have. Anyone ever witness an associate get laid off literally right after starting (assuming there was not a huge incident)?

Absolutely no way that they'd want to replace you on day one. First days of work are awkward at least IME.

So why post a new opening for the same class year? I don't know exactly how much work the firm has, but adding a new associate is a substantial expense that has to be matched either by letting someone go or by bringing in 1900+ more hours of work per year.

[nixy]

Someone (else) may be leaving that you don't know about. Or they already left before you started. Seriously, relax. They did not make a decision to fire you on the first day you started.

[RaceJudicata]

I started in a new firm recently and received a lukewarm opening from the attorneys there. Still getting used to the culture there, as it's markedly different than my last firm. Anyway, the same day that I started, the managing partner of my group posted a new opening for an associate of my level. I'm concerned that she reached a snap judgment that I suck and as a result she needs to hire someone new. Granted, I haven't made any mistakes yet, but who knows whether they are looking for something that I just plain don't have. Anyone ever witness an associate get laid off literally right after starting (assuming there was not a huge incident)?

Absolutely no way that they'd want to replace you on day one. First days of work are awkward at least IME.

So why post a new opening for the same class year? I don't know exactly how much work the firm has, but adding a new associate is a substantial expense that has to be matched either by letting someone go or by bringing in 1900+ more hours of work per year.

Exactly. It’s a substantial expense... and therefore is a decision that needs to go through several layers of firm bureaucracy. Doesn’t happen in a day, and didn’t happen because you made a lukewarm first impression.