Summer Associate Class of 2016 Forum

[ScottRiqui]

What are y'all's hours like? I'm doing IP work and it seems as though there is no option to get in early so I may leave early. No one arrives prior to 9:30/10(even the secretaries) and leaves before 7, so attempting an 8-6 or something similar seems impossible, even as SA. If getting an early start is something I would like as an attorney, should I start just 3L mass mailing now?

Are you physically locked out of the building before 9:30 am? If not, and assuming you've got some assignments in the pipeline, what's to keep you from sitting down at your desk and getting started, whether anyone else is there or not?

[Anonymous User]

There are some assignments I have, but associates I've spoken to have told me there is no point of really getting here before 10 AM at earliest since all the partners like to review assignments around 8PM at earliest. I left at 7:30 PM Friday due to a prior engagement and partner laughed saying "must be nice" even though I had no assignment at time. I'm only SA at this branch and first ever SA for this branch of the firm. Its not as though I'm locked out of office, but past 2 weeks I've been arriving about 1.5 hours before anyone shows up and associates keep saying I'm just wasting time and to sleep in instead.

[kaysta]

I heard a Gibson summer blew T-Pain on a commercial flight

was it you
mods please out, anon too humble to take credit for his accomplishment

[RaceJudicata]

There are some assignments I have, but associates I've spoken to have told me there is no point of really getting here before 10 AM at earliest since all the partners like to review assignments around 8PM at earliest. I left at 7:30 PM Friday due to a prior engagement and partner laughed saying "must be nice" even though I had no assignment at time. I'm only SA at this branch and first ever SA for this branch of the firm. Its not as though I'm locked out of office, but past 2 weeks I've been arriving about 1.5 hours before anyone shows up and associates keep saying I'm just wasting time and to sleep in instead.

Damn.. that is rough. My office is lit focused, and folks show up between 7:30-9:30, and no one seems to care which end of that spectrum you are at. Obviously, if you come in later, you are "expected" to stay later -- but not because someone is forcing them to, but because there is x amount of work to be done.

ETA: how did partner even know you were leaving at 7:30? Did they catch you by the elevator bank? I get the feeling that no one knows--or cares where I am at any given time. I certainly don't take advantage of this, but also don't feel any need to tell partners or anyone when im heading home for the day

[Anonymous User]

Partner told me day 1 to stop by his office everyday when I leave. The associates at this branch are not allowed to leave until it is given the okay by partners. Since I am only SA and a guinea pig for this branch, I was assigned no mentor, so I have received no feedback on any assignment(even though I continuously ask) so at times I feel lost. I'm not sure if I should just accept offer if it comes and grind it out, or look for other options during 3L instead. I have a fiancé and some obligations outside of work which makes me want to get home at at least a reasonable hour(before 9pm) on some days. I realize and am fine with working long hours, I just would like the opportunity to choose when I work those hours somewhat.

[star fox]

Partner told me day 1 to stop by his office everyday when I leave.

Damn, sorry to hear. I've heard of Cultures at some places (not necessarily law firms) where people say bye to each other when they leave for the night, but never this.

[Slytherpuff]

Partner told me day 1 to stop by his office everyday when I leave. The associates at this branch are not allowed to leave until it is given the okay by partners. Since I am only SA and a guinea pig for this branch, I was assigned no mentor, so I have received no feedback on any assignment(even though I continuously ask) so at times I feel lost. I'm not sure if I should just accept offer if it comes and grind it out, or look for other options during 3L instead. I have a fiancé and some obligations outside of work which makes me want to get home at at least a reasonable hour(before 9pm) on some days. I realize and am fine with working long hours, I just would like the opportunity to choose when I work those hours somewhat.

That sucks. See how it goes the rest of the summer and maybe start looking for other options. Does your school have 3L OCI or would you have to mass mail?

[lavarman84]

What are y'all's hours like? I'm doing IP work and it seems as though there is no option to get in early so I may leave early. No one arrives prior to 9:30/10(even the secretaries) and leaves before 7, so attempting an 8-6 or something similar seems impossible, even as SA. If getting an early start is something I would like as an attorney, should I start just 3L mass mailing now?

My hours are typical 8 to 6.(with some give and take) The majority of the lawyers generally get there around 9.

Can't you just get an early start anyways? Is there a lot going on between 6 and 7 PM?

Partner told me day 1 to stop by his office everyday when I leave. The associates at this branch are not allowed to leave until it is given the okay by partners. Since I am only SA and a guinea pig for this branch, I was assigned no mentor, so I have received no feedback on any assignment(even though I continuously ask) so at times I feel lost. I'm not sure if I should just accept offer if it comes and grind it out, or look for other options during 3L instead. I have a fiancé and some obligations outside of work which makes me want to get home at at least a reasonable hour(before 9pm) on some days. I realize and am fine with working long hours, I just would like the opportunity to choose when I work those hours somewhat.

That's ridiculous. Definitely bail on that place if you can.

[ScottRiqui]

There are some assignments I have, but associates I've spoken to have told me there is no point of really getting here before 10 AM at earliest since all the partners like to review assignments around 8PM at earliest. I left at 7:30 PM Friday due to a prior engagement and partner laughed saying "must be nice" even though I had no assignment at time. I'm only SA at this branch and first ever SA for this branch of the firm. Its not as though I'm locked out of office, but past 2 weeks I've been arriving about 1.5 hours before anyone shows up and associates keep saying I'm just wasting time and to sleep in instead.

Sorry, I misread "and leaves before 7" in your post to mean that everyone was gone by 7. Yeah, if you know you're going to be there until at least 8pm, coming in early to bang out some work loses its appeal.

[Anonymous User]

Yea I think what's really frustrating to me is previous SA's from other branches that I have spoken to get real feedback on work and tell me they never worked past 6 all summer. I guess what is frustrating is no one at this branch seems to want to get home at a reasonable hour. They all take about a 1.5 hour lunch.

My school does have 3L OCI, but as someone who wants to focus in IP, the options are rather limited. I guess I will start looking around, but not sure at this point if I rather take a paycut to work someplace where I could receive more feedback/increase my learning curve.

[lavarman84]

Yea I think what's really frustrating to me is previous SA's from other branches that I have spoken to get real feedback on work and tell me they never worked past 6 all summer. I guess what is frustrating is no one at this branch seems to want to get home at a reasonable hour. They all take about a 1.5 hour lunch.

My school does have 3L OCI, but as someone who wants to focus in IP, the options are rather limited. I guess I will start looking around, but not sure at this point if I rather take a paycut to work someplace where I could receive more feedback/increase my learning curve.

As far as feedback goes, have you tried seeking it out? Are they unwilling to give it to you? If you haven't, I would try reaching out to the people you submitted your work to this week to get feedback on it.

[Anonymous User]

Yea I've tried asking for feedback from partners and associates. All I've gotten back so far is "looks good" and "thanks." And my "mentor" that is equity partner at firm told him to keep and and all questions to absolute minimum

[lavarman84]

Yea I've tried asking for feedback from partners and associates. All I've gotten back so far is "looks good" and "thanks." And my "mentor" that is equity partner at firm told him to keep and and all questions to absolute minimum

That really sucks. I'd hate that sort of culture.

[Anonymous User]

Can we ban all anons who give us absolutely no details or information

[Anonymous User]

Speaking of free concerts. One of the V10s is taking all its summers to a Beyoncé concert.

why not just say the firm weirdo

Different anon from the "weirdo" but Weil is taking all of us to Beyonce, and I have heard that Skadden is taking all of their summers as well, so that's at least two of the V10 and there are probably others. Also know for certain that one of my friends from law school who is at a really small New York firm with 6 summers that I had never heard of (and don't remember the name now) is taking them to the Beyonce concert as well, but then again there were only 6 summers.

Skadden couldn't get enough tickets to take all summers to Beyonce. There was a "quiz" lottery thing and other summers get to see Bieber instead.

[cron1834]

Speaking of free concerts. One of the V10s is taking all its summers to a Beyoncé concert.

why not just say the firm weirdo

Different anon from the "weirdo" but Weil is taking all of us to Beyonce, and I have heard that Skadden is taking all of their summers as well, so that's at least two of the V10 and there are probably others. Also know for certain that one of my friends from law school who is at a really small New York firm with 6 summers that I had never heard of (and don't remember the name now) is taking them to the Beyonce concert as well, but then again there were only 6 summers.

Skadden couldn't get enough tickets to take all summers to Beyonce. There was a "quiz" lottery thing and other summers get to see Bieber instead.

That's pretty funny.

[Slytherpuff]

Is anyone actually able to focus at work when NY to 180 is now a thing?

[pancakes3]

Is anyone actually able to focus at work when NY to 180 is now a thing?

i've been working on a google doc on how i plan on spending the extra cash. #1 on the list is straight from DF's "how you spend your BL money" - guac on chipotle always. i'll forward it to you.

[Tiago Splitter]

Is anyone actually able to focus at work when NY to 180 is now a thing?

I'm so insanely busy right now but it's just not so bad at 180k.

[Slytherpuff]

I'll actually be able to afford chipotle on 180k. This is so great!

[Serett]

Is anyone actually able to focus at work when NY to 180 is now a thing?

Presumably Cravath summers are still able to focus, considering they're summering at Cravath and have not, therefore, even heard the news yet.

[cron1834]

Honestly, if Chicago/LA match this will make me even more inclined to spurn NYC as soon as possible.

[Slytherpuff]

Is anyone actually able to focus at work when NY to 180 is now a thing?

Presumably Cravath summers are still able to focus, considering they're summering at Cravath and have not, therefore, even heard the news yet.

I don't have too much sympathy for them, though. They don't have to play the "when will my firm make the switch?!" game.

[lavarman84]

Is anyone actually able to focus at work when NY to 180 is now a thing?

Presumably Cravath summers are still able to focus, considering they're summering at Cravath and have not, therefore, even heard the news yet.

I don't have too much sympathy for them, though. They don't have to play the "when will my firm make the switch?!" game.

Nah. They just have to play the "when do I get my hour of sleep this week?" game.

[RaceJudicata]

Honestly, if Chicago/LA match this will make me even more inclined to spurn NYC as soon as possible.

Praying for Chicago match.