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

[Anonymous User]

Switching subjects --

For SA's in NYC how late are you staying on most nights? It seems a lot of people do 9-7 or 9-8 as the norm, and possibly stay later. My general approach going in was to be sociable, and to do good work but not really gun with the late hours. Is being first to leave at around 6 generally a bad move? The associates say we should not be staying late, and the work is not very intensive unless you choose to take on more assignments. Of course, everyone has more important things to do than check in on us.

On the drinking thing, this seems ridiculously over-thought. How perceptive do you think people are? If you spend 2 hours at an event, and don't want to sip like a rodent, it's conceivable there will be 110 minutes of no drinking even if you drink. If you're not alone in a corner or shouting about Roe v. Wade, I doubt anyone cares.

[Tiago Splitter]

Switching subjects --

For SA's in NYC how late are you staying on most nights? It seems a lot of people do 9-7 or 9-8 as the norm, and possibly stay later. My general approach going in was to be sociable, and to do good work but not really gun with the late hours. Is being first to leave at around 6 generally a bad move? The associates say we should not be staying late, and the work is not very intensive unless you choose to take on more assignments. Of course, everyone has more important things to do than check in on us.

Unless you're in a pretty small SA class I doubt anyone will notice or care that you're leaving on the early side.

[Anonymous User]

Switching subjects --

For SA's in NYC how late are you staying on most nights? It seems a lot of people do 9-7 or 9-8 as the norm, and possibly stay later. My general approach going in was to be sociable, and to do good work but not really gun with the late hours. Is being first to leave at around 6 generally a bad move? The associates say we should not be staying late, and the work is not very intensive unless you choose to take on more assignments. Of course, everyone has more important things to do than check in on us.

Unless you're in a pretty small SA class I doubt anyone will notice or care that you're leaving on the early side.

Same anon - let's say if it is really small.

[Tiago Splitter]

Switching subjects --

For SA's in NYC how late are you staying on most nights? It seems a lot of people do 9-7 or 9-8 as the norm, and possibly stay later. My general approach going in was to be sociable, and to do good work but not really gun with the late hours. Is being first to leave at around 6 generally a bad move? The associates say we should not be staying late, and the work is not very intensive unless you choose to take on more assignments. Of course, everyone has more important things to do than check in on us.

Unless you're in a pretty small SA class I doubt anyone will notice or care that you're leaving on the early side.

Same anon - let's say if it is really small.

In that case it probably depends on whether they typically give 100% offers. If not, it can't be a good idea to be leaving well before the other summers. But if they typically give 100% offers I wouldn't worry too much because 6 o'clock isn't that early. Either way I'd probably chat with an associate or two about what's normal at your firm.

[Anonymous User]

Switching subjects --

For SA's in NYC how late are you staying on most nights? It seems a lot of people do 9-7 or 9-8 as the norm, and possibly stay later. My general approach going in was to be sociable, and to do good work but not really gun with the late hours. Is being first to leave at around 6 generally a bad move? The associates say we should not be staying late, and the work is not very intensive unless you choose to take on more assignments. Of course, everyone has more important things to do than check in on us.

On the drinking thing, this seems ridiculously over-thought. How perceptive do you think people are? If you spend 2 hours at an event, and don't want to sip like a rodent, it's conceivable there will be 110 minutes of no drinking even if you drink. If you're not alone in a corner or shouting about Roe v. Wade, I doubt anyone cares.

I leave at 5:30 every day.

[UMich11]

Switching subjects --

For SA's in NYC how late are you staying on most nights? It seems a lot of people do 9-7 or 9-8 as the norm, and possibly stay later. My general approach going in was to be sociable, and to do good work but not really gun with the late hours. Is being first to leave at around 6 generally a bad move? The associates say we should not be staying late, and the work is not very intensive unless you choose to take on more assignments. Of course, everyone has more important things to do than check in on us.

On the drinking thing, this seems ridiculously over-thought. How perceptive do you think people are? If you spend 2 hours at an event, and don't want to sip like a rodent, it's conceivable there will be 110 minutes of no drinking even if you drink. If you're not alone in a corner or shouting about Roe v. Wade, I doubt anyone cares.

was told I could leave anywhere from 530-630 most days.

[Hipster but Athletic]

Is three days in a row of watching depos and doing nothing gonna be cool or excruciating?

[sundontshine]

Is three days in a row of watching depos and doing nothing gonna be cool or excruciating?

Excruciating unless it's a very, very interesting case. And even so, it'll probably be boring to listen to that many depos. Depos are super boring - just a bunch of long winded background questions and then repeating the same question eighty different times.

[jbagelboy]

Is three days in a row of watching depos and doing nothing gonna be cool or excruciating?

Excruciating unless it's a very, very interesting case. And even so, it'll probably be boring to listen to that many depos. Depos are super boring - just a bunch of long winded background questions and then repeating the same question eighty different times.

I'm enjoying the substantive work I've been placed on, but I'd also be super down to chill out and watch depositions lol

[Pleasye]

Is three days in a row of watching depos and doing nothing gonna be cool or excruciating?

Just be happy you are watching them live instead of reading transcripts and summarizing.

It'll prob be cool for at least the first half of the first day.

[seespotrun]

Is three days in a row of watching depos and doing nothing gonna be cool or excruciating?

The way to make the experience worthwhile is learning everything you can about the case prior to the depos. Otherwise you're going to want to blow your brains out.

[Anonymous User]

Handed my first assignment yesterday and part of that required me to review the latest draft of a purchase agreement on the transaction I'll be working on. I found a few errors in the most recent draft and wonder if I should bring this to the attention if the associate I report to. They didn't ask me to proof, just read and be knowledgable of the client/transaction.

[goldeneye]

Handed my first assignment yesterday and part of that required me to review the latest draft of a purchase agreement on the transaction I'll be working on. I found a few errors in the most recent draft and wonder if I should bring this to the attention if the associate I report to. They didn't ask me to proof, just read and be knowledgable of the client/transaction.

Do you have a mentor? That would be a good question for them because they likely know the people and can tell you what is preferred.

[09042014]

Handed my first assignment yesterday and part of that required me to review the latest draft of a purchase agreement on the transaction I'll be working on. I found a few errors in the most recent draft and wonder if I should bring this to the attention if the associate I report to. They didn't ask me to proof, just read and be knowledgable of the client/transaction.

Do you have a mentor? That would be a good question for them because they likely know the people and can tell you what is preferred.

No need to ask a mentor, you absolutely point them out if they are clear errors.

[NYSprague]

Handed my first assignment yesterday and part of that required me to review the latest draft of a purchase agreement on the transaction I'll be working on. I found a few errors in the most recent draft and wonder if I should bring this to the attention if the associate I report to. They didn't ask me to proof, just read and be knowledgable of the client/transaction.

Do you have a mentor? That would be a good question for them because they likely know the people and can tell you what is preferred.

No need to ask a mentor, you absolutely point them out if they are clear errors.

Absolutely point them out.
I once found an error in boilerplate form language and everyone acted like I was a messiah. It was a simple statutory citation that hadn't been updated.


Also, when reading these agreements, really try to understand why the provisions are there and why the document is structured the way it is. Even though people act like corporate is cookie cutter, I've never found it to be that way.

I would also begin a form file of documents. Keeping a copy of the form in your files is a great idea. But I admit I have no idea what summers are allowed to keep.

[jbagelboy]

just had such a huge lunch.. i really don't see how i could possibly continue working this afternoon

[JusticeHarlan]

just had such a huge lunch.. i really don't see how i could possibly continue working this afternoon

Finally, someone doing the summer associate thing correctly.

[Hipster but Athletic]

Is three days in a row of watching depos and doing nothing gonna be cool or excruciating?

The way to make the experience worthwhile is learning everything you can about the case prior to the depos. Otherwise you're going to want to blow your brains out.

Ya I mean I know it cold. And today wasn't exhilarating but still was fine

[Danger Zone]

This is the best job I've ever had.

[brotherdarkness]

.

[Nammertat]

It's like being in a dream, and knowing you have to wake up [and sell your soul].

[Jsa725]

.

[fl0w]

This is the best job I've ever had.

Me too. By a very long shot.

+1. my boss is fantastic, and i am learning a lot.

precisely why you are supposed to enjoy all of this while it lasts. This summer is meant to be your wildest dreams coming true, haha.
I'm not trying to rain on the parade. I'm just bitter after working 36hours straight and seeing the summers get the catered breakfast lol.

[Danger Zone]

Should we be using our secretaries? I really don't know what I would possibly give her to do, other than just let my phone ring and have her answer it for the PRESTIGE.

[Nammertat]

Should we be using our secretaries? I really don't know what I would possibly give her to do, other than just let my phone ring and have her answer it for the PRESTIGE.

I have used my secretary for expense reimbursements, various copy jobs, and basic questions of who I should talk to for X. It was weird at first, but they're super friendly and helpful.