Quitting as a First Year Forum

[logical seasoning]

You are describing Govt jobs. right now a lot of agencies are struggling to fill positions. If you are in California PM me and I can help you out!

[jotarokujo]

yeah im surprised that coasting led to a first year firing, but there are several ways one can coast. if the coasting involved being slow to respond, not just slow to do work, then it's probably more likely. but one can do very little work if you just respond to emails quickly, and you'll last years

[Anonymous User]

Are you in NYC? Local gvmt is hiring like crazy and starting salary is about $75k. Very much 9-5 jobs.

Is this the NYC Law Dep't? Are you sure it's not because they're all underwater with work?

Just more attrition this year because the city still isn’t allowing work from home and just generally it’s been a good market for people to go elsewhere + the Great Resignation. But they are hiring to fill those slots so workload isn’t too bad. But openings aren’t limited to the Law Dept, other city agencies (where you won’t do litigation) are options too.

I see. Thank you for clarifying. I'm clerking right now, and in virtually every case that I'm overseeing where the Law Dept. is counsel, I'm getting requests for extension of discovery deadlines because the original counsel just straight up quit. Very interesting, and I'll certainly keep an eye out for those opportunities. Public service employment at $75,000 is certainly preferable to no employment at all...

NYC gov jobs are way more than just the Law Department. LD is great if you want litigation experience. Like any firm, some divisions are better than others. There is a higher attrition rate than usual right now, but I don't think that's necessarily because the job is bad. As other said, there are multiple post-covid mentalities at work here.

I work for a NYC gov agency. Generally, they are hiring like crazy right now. A lot of 9-5:30 moderately interesting but not soul-sucking jobs starting at $65-75k are available. Raises are modest, but QoL is really pretty good.

[Anonymous User]

To coast, you need two things: (1) be good and (2) be likeable. Being good means being as responsive as possible (meaning you always shoot a "Will do" as soon as possible to an assignment even if you won't get it to after the weekend, assuming its not a real fire drill) and producing the best possible work product (meaning that it's so good the partner has to put minimal work in fixing it which saves him/her time).

And being likeable is obvious. Be friendly, laugh at people's stupid jokes, reach out to people, be engaged in zoom calls, smile, be funny (if you know how), you know all the shit you know that you need to do.

If you are both of those things, you will get away with a lot of shit. I mean a lot of shit. I worked multiple sub-1400 years and got my bonus at my no-hours firm with good reviews. Because I'm good, at my reviews, I'm typically applauded for how efficient I am, essentially suggesting I slow things down to bill more. I'm a senior now - probably won't make partner, but things are looking good for counsel, which I'd be very happy to take.

These are golden tips.

To echo this: I'm also coasting, in my third year now. Never got a bad review yet; last one they even told me I'm killing it.

I'm curious how the other person got fired as a first year. I'm responsive and put in the work when absolutely necessary. But I never volunteer for anything, never pick up my phone (and only call back after I get an e-mail requesting a callback), and try to outsource as much of my work as possible to legal support staff. I try to be thorough when I do my work, but I don't go above and beyond. Don't know something? I just try and give it a good effort and send it upwards, asking them if they think it is fine or not. If not, they'll tell me what to do. I don't have to spend extra hours and brainpower to figure something out I have no clue about. I think it also helps I always appear eager and am always positive.

Meanwhile two of my colleagues are apparently on the chopping block. Why? One I haven't worked with, but the other one seemingly works way harder than I do. The issue is they apparently have attitude problems and always bitch and moan about their workload.

[Anonymous User]

NYC gov jobs are way more than just the Law Department. LD is great if you want litigation experience. Like any firm, some divisions are better than others. There is a higher attrition rate than usual right now, but I don't think that's necessarily because the job is bad. As other said, there are multiple post-covid mentalities at work here.

I work for a NYC gov agency. Generally, they are hiring like crazy right now. A lot of 9-5:30 moderately interesting but not soul-sucking jobs starting at $65-75k are available. Raises are modest, but QoL is really pretty good.

FYI, for those interested in govt. positions in NYC and NYS, you can search publicly-available salary data at https://seethroughny.net/payrolls

[ICFMFWIWY]

Yeah this guy is making like 180k as a glorified doc reviewer, don't feel bad at all. Suck it up, little fella.