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

[Guchster]

Got put on a closing for a deal i really wanted to be on. Sorry weekend, but I guess I kinda had a nice long version of you all week.

Left the office around 7-8, and got drunk with fellow SAs every night of this damn week.

[fl0w]

this thread really is becoming about the anxiety. living up to the hype.
I was super nervous about starting and, due to circumstances beyond my control, ended up being an hour late for my first day.

this felt even better knowing that i'mt the only black person in the office.

<-- enforcing the CPT stereotype in 2012

everyone has been awesome at the firm though. i work hard during the day, it's interesting stuff, they feed me booze and food.

[keg411]

Constantly reaffirming my happiness about deciding not to work in NYC. Tomorrow, Friday of all days, will be a long day for me though.

I'm in NYC and my hours have been fine (I stayed until a little after 8pm one day working and that felt super late). But I've heard some of my other friends here doing SA's definitely have it much crazier.

[nymario]

First world problems: Got first pay via check (direct deposit not set up til next pay period) -- Too large to deposit using my iphone

But seriously, I'm wrapping up week 3 and the work has been substantial and varied -- as has the play. A good mix of lunches and drinks combined with some easy days, other later (7-8 in my case) days. No responsibilities on the weekend yet. Informative feedback and very friendly partners and associates.

The pleasant surprise is the amount of time I've spent at my desk just working. I'd say roughly half my time in the office--five hours a day--which is just about right for a summer program imo.

[Anonymous User]

any of you guys at offices working SA's hard have an issue with other summers balking? ideas on how to deal with this without looking competitive? totally happy to work a ton as per expectations but seems some others are unhappy about it. can either dial down to everyone else's commitment level (and look bad because slacking), or work a ton and look competitive. what to do?

[sunynp]

any of you guys at offices working SA's hard have an issue with other summers balking? ideas on how to deal with this without looking competitive? totally happy to work a ton as per expectations but seems some others are unhappy about it. can either dial down to everyone else's commitment level (and look bad because slacking), or work a ton and look competitive. what to do?

This is an extended job interview. You need this job or at least an offer from this job. Do whatever you need to do for your own career. Also, remember, the partners and associates don't really need your help to do whatever work they give you - they can do it themselves or staff it otherwise. Look at the work they give you as an opportunity to prove yourself and your ability to do flawless (error free) work in a timely manner. Every thing you do is part of that interview. Another thing about biglaw (as is true in most jobs) the better you do your work, the more work they will give you. Getting work is a positive sign.

The one sure thing that will get someone no-offered is having a bad attitude or complaining about anything. (or if not no offered if the firm wants to keep a 100% offer rate, then you will get a reputation you will have to work hard to overcome at the firm.) I don't know how to emphasize this strongly enough. Associates and partners look at SAs as having the best job - highest pay for least work and pressure of anyone - they really don't mind because they know how hard you will be working if they hire you.

But if an SA shows a hint of an attitude or resenting work they are in trouble. The other attorneys have to know that you will be ok to work with when the pressure is really on and you have to work all night. If an SA can't hack the summer without complaining, they will never make it in the firm. And don't forget you are being paid a ton of money. The partners never forget it.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else in NYC leaving by 6 every day? You guys are making me glad I'm not working at your firms/worried I'm not staying busy enough.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else in NYC leaving by 6 every day? You guys are making me glad I'm not working at your firms/worried I'm not staying busy enough.

Out the firm.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else in NYC leaving by 6 every day? You guys are making me glad I'm not working at your firms/worried I'm not staying busy enough.

Out the firm.

Why? You jealous or implying I should be worried about slow business?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else in NYC leaving by 6 every day? You guys are making me glad I'm not working at your firms/worried I'm not staying busy enough.

I've stayed past 6 twice at my firm (not much past), and as I left, I was asked both times why I was there so late.

[fatduck]

First world problems: Got first pay via check (direct deposit not set up til next pay period) -- Too large to deposit using my iphone

damn, dude, my limit is $10,000. either your bank sucks or you've got a sick job.

[dixiecupdrinking]

First world problems: Got first pay via check (direct deposit not set up til next pay period) -- Too large to deposit using my iphone

damn, dude, my limit is $10,000. either your bank sucks or you've got a sick job.

NYC to $350!

[keg411]

Anyone else in NYC leaving by 6 every day? You guys are making me glad I'm not working at your firms/worried I'm not staying busy enough.

I only stayed late once and I was there way later than all the other summers (I just had to finish something up). The only other times I've been there past 6 are for events/firm cocktail parties, and I have plenty of work and there is plenty to go around. I wouldn't think there is anything to worry about unless you feel like you're leaving because you're slacking on your assignments.

Being a SA is awesome. The work is interesting, the people are awesome, NYC has been awesome. I seriously could not have asked for anything more out of this summer so far.

[rad lulz]

New comp system leads to an unsaved memo and 4-6 hours of work. Looks like I'm going in Saturday and Sunday. Pissed.

[jess]

.

[Old Gregg]

Can the anonymous people out the firms that have them working until midnight? I need to know what firms to avoid during OCI bidding. DO NOT WANT.

Odds are that they're just gunning it up, rather than their firms forcing them to do that.

And if you're in NYC and leaving at 6pm, youre mind blowingly stupid if you think you'll be leaving that early when you join full time.

[Anonymous User]

as the only legal intern in my dep't of the firm, I have been told repeatedly by mysupervising attorney and a few partners that If I absolutely had to stay late, I should stay late only to finish a section that I have been working on and then go home and not to go in on weekends, unless asked by an attorney to do so, who got the okay from a partner... While the firm doesnt do lunches ( its purely lit.) or dinners, since the attorney's go to court a ton the only time i get to socialize is at lunch with other workers....

was given 2 assignments friday- the first is to write another brief( turn around: due on weds) and the second is to look up all applicable statutes, and compile them into a training binder so people can have readily access to that ( turnaround time- gonna take all summer).

think its gonna be better than allright

[Anonymous User]

Can the anonymous people out the firms that have them working until midnight? I need to know what firms to avoid during OCI bidding. DO NOT WANT.

Odds are that they're just gunning it up, rather than their firms forcing them to do that.

And if you're in NYC and leaving at 6pm, youre mind blowingly stupid if you think you'll be leaving that early when you join full time.

No, certainly do not believe that this schedule has any bearing on what working full time will be like. I'd probably be on pace to bill like 1500 hours at this rate.

It does sound like some firms make their summer programs much more like "the real thing" than others. It seems like mine is not that interested in squeezing work out of us.

[IAFG]

Can the anonymous people out the firms that have them working until midnight? I need to know what firms to avoid during OCI bidding. DO NOT WANT.

Odds are that they're just gunning it up, rather than their firms forcing them to do that.

And if you're in NYC and leaving at 6pm, youre mind blowingly stupid if you think you'll be leaving that early when you join full time.

I know you would say this about me, but what am I supposed to do? Ask for extensions? Turn down work? I haven't stayed til midnight, my latest night was 9:30, but I would rather just stay late and get it done.

[Old Gregg]

Turn down work. You're useless to the firm doing 5 matters OK rather than 3 really well. Being good at this stuff not only involves doing good work, but also good time management. Absolutely no sense in taking on as much as you can.

[northwood]

this is a hands on learning experience. Make sure whatever you do, you do to your best- and you are doing it right. Its better to turn in lower quantity of work, but at a higher quality level than to turn in a higher quantity at a lower quality.

Your bosses know this, and want whatever you do turn in to be top notch ( or as close as possible)

[IAFG]

That's really neither here nor there. I don't agree that work quality is at its peak at an 8 hour day but deteriorates at a 12 hour day. 14+ is where I think it starts to fall off for me.

[keg411]

Turn down work. You're useless to the firm doing 5 matters OK rather than 3 really well. Being good at this stuff not only involves doing good work, but also good time management. Absolutely no sense in taking on as much as you can.

We were explicitly told to turn down work or tell recruiting that we're busy and they'll turn down the work for us (we have a whole system for summers and they want to make sure we get as many different things as possible).

I also have no delusions that being a SA is anything like being an associate. Which is why I'm trying to enjoy it now while I still can .

[Old Gregg]

The fundamental point is that you're bringing it on yourself. The firm isn't doing this to you.

Hence, the gunnerism, etc. If you want to take on more work, go ahead. But don't act helpless, don't blame the firm. You can turn down work (unless youre at a firm that just assigns you shit). Moreover, it's far more likely for SAs to get no offered for doing 10 assignments well and 1 poorly, than for doing 5 assignments really well and none poorly.

[Old Gregg]

Turn down work. You're useless to the firm doing 5 matters OK rather than 3 really well. Being good at this stuff not only involves doing good work, but also good time management. Absolutely no sense in taking on as much as you can.

We were explicitly told to turn down work or tell recruiting that we're busy and they'll turn down the work for us (we have a whole system for summers and they want to make sure we get as many different things as possible).

I also have no delusions that being a SA is anything like being an associate. Which is why I'm trying to enjoy it now while I still can .

Good. It's absolutely the dumbest shit when SAs take on too much work. Even worse when they blame their firms for it. Though, again, I understand you can't turn down work at some firms. But a lot of firms treat you like an adult and let you decide what your workstream should be. Act like an adult.