Summer Associates 2014: Thoughts, Anxieties, Experiences... Forum

[Bildungsroman]

Don't give gifts to attorneys you weirdos. "Oh thanks for the $20 Starbucks gift card, fungible summer associate." Just say something appropriate and polite on your last day.

[Anonymous User]

I'm going back to my 1L firm for two weeks (which my 2L firm knows about and is fine with). Is there a non-awkward way to tell my 2L firm that if I were to have the good fortune to get offers from both, I'd accept them without a second thought? Or should I just leave it? They don't typically no offer except for one every few years and my reviews and stuff are good, but of course I'm worried now that they'll no offer me because I potentially have somewhere else to go. Am I being silly?

[LRGhost]

I'm going back to my 1L firm for two weeks (which my 2L firm knows about and is fine with). Is there a non-awkward way to tell my 2L firm that if I were to have the good fortune to get offers from both, I'd accept them without a second thought? Or should I just leave it? They don't typically no offer except for one every few years and my reviews and stuff are good, but of course I'm worried now that they'll no offer me because I potentially have somewhere else to go. Am I being silly?

Probably. Split summers are somewhat common and I doubt anyone will fault you for spending two weeks with a firm you worked for during your 1L year. Definitely mention that you enjoyed working there and look forward to returning next year but I'd say everyone knows the score and that you'll hustle until you have an offer in pocket.

[haosquared]

What if you're close with a person above you? Is it weird to give something? I feel weird not giving something because I know they spent out of pocket money on me during the summer, and they really helped me out on assignments and whenever I had questions despite not being on the recruiting committee.

Junior associate here. Summer associate I worked with gave me something and a thank you card. I thought it was super sweet but not necessary.

[Anonymous User]

So, my reviews have been fine and my firm hasn't no-offered anyone for the better part of a decade, but that doesn't mean I haven't been having panic attacks for the past few days. Anyone else kind of freaking out?

[09042014]

So, my reviews have been fine and my firm hasn't no-offered anyone for the better part of a decade, but that doesn't mean I haven't been having panic attacks for the past few days. Anyone else kind of freaking out?

That's ridiculous. How are you ever going to practice.

[Anonymous User]

So, my reviews have been fine and my firm hasn't no-offered anyone for the better part of a decade, but that doesn't mean I haven't been having panic attacks for the past few days. Anyone else kind of freaking out?

That's ridiculous. How are you ever going to practice.

Not the same anonymous poster.

Offer v. no offer is a very big deal. This is most students' first chance at a good salary, and though it's a lot of work, big law generally makes law school a decent financial investment. Those who get no offered start their career with a pretty big disadvantage. Keeping up with loan payments normally seems like a given. Freaking out doesn't add anything, but I can get why everyone is super nervous. I slept, acted laid back, and was confident I would get an offer. I would still always think about how each day is an interview in the back of my head, and this was in itself pretty stressful. I'm sure this stress played a role in some of the famous SA stories we've heard like acqua girl. I found the uncertainty in big law to be worse than in law school, because law school has E&E's, and grades. At least at my firm, everyone was so nice and polite that it seemed you wouldn't be told you did poorly even if you did poorly.

How easily do people get laid off in practice? It would seem that messing up one assignment would not threaten your career, because they're unlikely to fire anyone less than a year in.

[09042014]

So, my reviews have been fine and my firm hasn't no-offered anyone for the better part of a decade, but that doesn't mean I haven't been having panic attacks for the past few days. Anyone else kind of freaking out?

That's ridiculous. How are you ever going to practice.

Not the same anonymous poster.

Offer v. no offer is a very big deal. This is most students' first chance at a good salary, and though it's a lot of work, big law generally makes law school a decent financial investment. Those who get no offered start their career with a pretty big disadvantage. Keeping up with loan payments normally seems like a given. Freaking out doesn't add anything, but I can get why everyone is super nervous. I slept, acted laid back, and was confident I would get an offer. I would still always think about how each day is an interview in the back of my head, and this was in itself pretty stressful. I'm sure this stress played a role in some of the famous SA stories we've heard like acqua girl. I found the uncertainty in big law to be worse than in law school, because law school has E&E's, and grades. At least at my firm, everyone was so nice and polite that it seemed you wouldn't be told you did poorly even if you did poorly.

How easily do people get laid off in practice? It would seem that messing up one assignment would not threaten your career, because they're unlikely to fire anyone less than a year in.

If you are at a firm that hasn't no offered someone in nearly a decade and have had fine reviews, you shouldn't be worried enough that you are having panic attacks. It's ridiculous.

[Anonymous User]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

[Mal Reynolds]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

What did you do?

[Old Gregg]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

No.

[Anonymous User]

So, my reviews have been fine and my firm hasn't no-offered anyone for the better part of a decade, but that doesn't mean I haven't been having panic attacks for the past few days. Anyone else kind of freaking out?

That's ridiculous. How are you ever going to practice.

Not the same anonymous poster.

Offer v. no offer is a very big deal. This is most students' first chance at a good salary, and though it's a lot of work, big law generally makes law school a decent financial investment. Those who get no offered start their career with a pretty big disadvantage. Keeping up with loan payments normally seems like a given. Freaking out doesn't add anything, but I can get why everyone is super nervous. I slept, acted laid back, and was confident I would get an offer. I would still always think about how each day is an interview in the back of my head, and this was in itself pretty stressful. I'm sure this stress played a role in some of the famous SA stories we've heard like acqua girl. I found the uncertainty in big law to be worse than in law school, because law school has E&E's, and grades. At least at my firm, everyone was so nice and polite that it seemed you wouldn't be told you did poorly even if you did poorly.

How easily do people get laid off in practice? It would seem that messing up one assignment would not threaten your career, because they're unlikely to fire anyone less than a year in.

If you are at a firm that hasn't no offered someone in nearly a decade and have had fine reviews, you shouldn't be worried enough that you are having panic attacks. It's ridiculous.

Same anon as above. I agree it's ridiculous to have panic attacks over any of this. Even if you don't get an offer, a panic attack is a pretty crazy reaction.

[Anonymous User]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

What did you do?

Got into an argument with a partner. Don't know what happened. I just snapped after ten weeks of acting professional. I'm going to accept the first half offer tomorrow. Couldn't care less about what happens at second firm now. Just hoping the two won't conspire together to fuck me over after I run my victory lap.

[LRGhost]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

What did you do?

Got into an argument with a partner. Don't know what happened. I just snapped after ten weeks of acting professional. I'm going to accept the first half offer tomorrow. Couldn't care less about what happens at second firm now. Just hoping the two won't conspire together to fuck me over after I run my victory lap.

Honestly, congrats. Please provide details so I can live through you.

[Anonymous User]

Got into an argument with a partner.

Were you right? (Not that it matters since we have to treat them all like the sun shines out their butt.)

[Druid]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

What did you do?

Got into an argument with a partner. Don't know what happened. I just snapped after ten weeks of acting professional. I'm going to accept the first half offer tomorrow. Couldn't care less about what happens at second firm now. Just hoping the two won't conspire together to fuck me over after I run my victory lap.

I'm sure they won't but holy shit lol. How do you snap after 2.5 months?

[gk101]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

What did you do?

Got into an argument with a partner. Don't know what happened. I just snapped after ten weeks of acting professional. I'm going to accept the first half offer tomorrow. Couldn't care less about what happens at second firm now. Just hoping the two won't conspire together to fuck me over after I run my victory lap.

Now I am curious what made you snap after just ten weeks of acting professional

[El Pollito]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

What did you do?

Got into an argument with a partner. Don't know what happened. I just snapped after ten weeks of acting professional. I'm going to accept the first half offer tomorrow. Couldn't care less about what happens at second firm now. Just hoping the two won't conspire together to fuck me over after I run my victory lap.

I'm sure they won't but holy shit lol. How do you snap after 2.5 months?

Maybe his fake assignments were like really hard man.

[Mal Reynolds]

Amazing

[A. Nony Mouse]

Same anon as above. I agree it's ridiculous to have panic attacks over any of this. Even if you don't get an offer, a panic attack is a pretty crazy reaction.

I think this is rather unfair. Getting no-offered is a big deal. Not saying anyone should have a panic attack or that getting no-offered should be the end of the world, but it's still a big deal and people are allowed to get upset.

[LRGhost]

Maybe his fake assignments were like really hard man.

Or you just get fed up with the false decorum.

[Mal Reynolds]

Maybe his fake assignments were like really hard man.

Or you just get fed up with the false decorum.

Lol I smell a k-jd

[soj]

Lol but the partner at the screener said the firm was nonhierarchical!

[jbagelboy]

I'm splitting my summer between two firms as is the norm here in TX. I got the V50 offer yesterday from 1st half firm, as expected. Is there any chance they revoke the offer because of severe work product/attitude/personality issues at my 2nd half firm in the same city (the firm I'm currently at)?

What did you do?

Got into an argument with a partner. Don't know what happened. I just snapped after ten weeks of acting professional. I'm going to accept the first half offer tomorrow. Couldn't care less about what happens at second firm now. Just hoping the two won't conspire together to fuck me over after I run my victory lap.

Now I am curious what made you snap after just ten weeks of acting professional

yea you're gonna have to act professional for most of the rest of your life.. if you can't handle ten weeks, idk.

sounds like you're a better fit at the first firm, so congrats on the offer. maybe now you've gotten the rebellion out of your system

[rpupkin]

Got into an argument with a partner. Don't know what happened. I just snapped after ten weeks of acting professional.

You should seriously consider finding another career (or at least a career in the law that does not entail working at a firm). If you snapped after a 10-week long recruiting party, just imagine what will happen when you're an actual associate.