ITT: Summer Associates Post About Their Anxiety (2012) Forum

[Anonymous User]

So, who loves billing in 6 minute increments?

[Detrox]

So, who loves billing in 6 minute increments?

Didn't really find this that bad after fearing it so long. Just turn on the timer and go to work, turn it off when you're breaking...

[r6_philly]

So, who loves billing in 6 minute increments?

Didn't really find this that bad after fearing it so long. Just turn on the timer and go to work, turn it off when you're breaking...

I just use a note pad. Every time I change tasks, I note the time and what's the new task. At the end of the day, spend 5 minutes figuring out the total and the codes.

[fatduck]

excel spreadsheet is where it's at, bros

[r6_philly]

excel spreadsheet is where it's at, bros

It's easier to not have to use the computer.

[Anonymous User]

Tomorrow should be exciting. Get to meet and work for a partner who is a notorious "screamer"

[fatduck]

excel spreadsheet is where it's at, bros

It's easier to not have to use the computer.

i like it. plus i have a pivot table that constantly updates my hours per project, and shows where i am on budget, etc. and it's all there if i need to refer back to it (like when i update my resume at the end of the summer).

[Anonymous User]

First day was pretty good. A lot of boring paperwork and going over billing and stuff like that, but the people at my firm are awesome. The thing that stood out to me the most was that they told us we don't have to do our own research. They said that's what law librarians are for and that our job is just to write. Is this normal? I thought half my summer was going to be aimlessly clicking around westlaw.

I did mostly research so far. I wouldn't say "aimlessly" but a lot of clicking for sure! My assignments involve a lot of specific, small issues, so I have to conduct analysis while reading/searching/learning. I don't really see how someone could research for me and I just write a report (mostly because I don't really know the issues at all so I need to do the research myself).

I have no idea how this will work in practice, maybe the person was exagerrating or maybe its something that happens later. We were all shocked when they told us that though.

I think you are overstating what "they" told you. I am at a firm now, and don't know much about it yet. However, I worked at V10 as a paralegal, and was familiar with what we used the library for. Sometimes we had to check the market volume of an index for the past few years in order to see if a company can link to it in their security offerings. Instead of spending time to find it, the library could get it in literally 2 minutes. Things like that, that require no analysis, but are often hard to find is what the library resources are used for. If you have an issue that isn't settled and you are asked to write a memo on it, the library is not going to be useful when you have to read and analyze the case law.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else surprised by the extent to which using paid research tools is frowned upon?

[Anonymous User]

First day was pretty good. A lot of boring paperwork and going over billing and stuff like that, but the people at my firm are awesome. The thing that stood out to me the most was that they told us we don't have to do our own research. They said that's what law librarians are for and that our job is just to write. Is this normal? I thought half my summer was going to be aimlessly clicking around westlaw.

I did mostly research so far. I wouldn't say "aimlessly" but a lot of clicking for sure! My assignments involve a lot of specific, small issues, so I have to conduct analysis while reading/searching/learning. I don't really see how someone could research for me and I just write a report (mostly because I don't really know the issues at all so I need to do the research myself).

I have no idea how this will work in practice, maybe the person was exagerrating or maybe its something that happens later. We were all shocked when they told us that though.

I think you are overstating what "they" told you. I am at a firm now, and don't know much about it yet. However, I worked at V10 as a paralegal, and was familiar with what we used the library for. Sometimes we had to check the market volume of an index for the past few years in order to see if a company can link to it in their security offerings. Instead of spending time to find it, the library could get it in literally 2 minutes. Things like that, that require no analysis, but are often hard to find is what the library resources are used for. If you have an issue that isn't settled and you are asked to write a memo on it, the library is not going to be useful when you have to read and analyze the case law.

Yeah I think you are probably right, they just phrased it in such a weird way. We'll see what happens when all this training and crap is over and we actually start getting real work

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else surprised by the extent to which using paid research tools is frowned upon?

We were told that our firm has monthly billing for WL & Lexis, so not to worry about anything. Any charges that are recoverable get recovered, but for those that aren't, it's not a big deal. I was honestly surprised about how using paid research tools wasn't frowned upon, after all the build up at school and on TLS about "cost-effective research."

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else surprised by the extent to which using paid research tools is frowned upon?

Yep. Got acquainted with Google+Lois Law reeeal fast.

[rad lulz]

Had a dream last night where I fucked up billing time. I start Tuesday.

[fl0w]

Had a dream last night where I fucked up billing time. had all of the models and bottles in the universe! I start Tuesday.

FixedThatForYou

[rad lulz]

Had a dream last night where I fucked up billing time. had all of the models and bottles in the universe! I start Tuesday.

FixedThatForYou

Mottles and baubles brother. Can't wait.

[20121109]

Alright, really ridiculous question:

A senior associate just sent me an email with a .... Is it ever ok to send back an email with a smiley face within the office?

Sorry for the stupid question lol

[fl0w]

Alright, really ridiculous question:

A senior associate just sent me an email with a .... Is it ever ok to send back an email with a smiley face within the office?

Sorry for the stupid question lol

[bk1]

Alright, really ridiculous question:

A senior associate just sent me an email with a .... Is it ever ok to send back an email with a smiley face within the office?

Sorry for the stupid question lol

it's a trap.

[Bronte]

Alright, really ridiculous question:

A senior associate just sent me an email with a .... Is it ever ok to send back an email with a smiley face within the office?

Sorry for the stupid question lol

I avoid smilies on principle, but if you have the itch it seems you've been given the go ahead.

[turkishswat]

Alright, really ridiculous question:

A senior associate just sent me an email with a .... Is it ever ok to send back an email with a smiley face within the office?

Sorry for the stupid question lol

it's a trap.

Unacceptable without Admiral Ackbar meme.

[Dany]

I would never send an email with a smiley face to a professional contact.

[20121109]

Hahaha, thank you guys!

I just thought it was a little too informal! I'll err on the side of caution and follow Dany's advice!!

[fl0w]

Alright, really ridiculous question:

A senior associate just sent me an email with a .... Is it ever ok to send back an email with a smiley face within the office?

Sorry for the stupid question lol

it's a trap.

Unacceptable without Admiral Ackbar meme.

edited for accuracy.

[Stanford4Me]

Even if the associate put a smiley, what would require you to reply with a smiley?

[20121109]

Even if the associate put a smiley, what would require you to reply with a smiley?

Necessity was never the issue.