SA-ing.....starting tomorrow Forum

[PKSebben]

What if your firm allows golf shirts for biz casual? Suit necessary on first day still?
(in a mid-size market, market paying firm).

I suppose I want to look good, but also don't want to look like an overdressed fool if the other SA's don't have suits (and there are only 3 other SA's at the firm with me).

1) Just wear a suit. If it's too much you can take the jacket off and put it on the back of your chair.

2) Not directed at you, but golf shirts are not business casual. That's like "wear pajamas to work" for a dress code

yeah. I agree with this. Carry jacket in draped over your arm. Take off tie if NOBODY is wearing one. POOF.

[BunkMoreland]

You should wear a suit the first day anyway. You'll probably be taking photos and stuff for your card/firm facebook and don't want to look unimpressive.

I've been at it for a week too. The first couple days are uber stressful, and sometimes its scary if you know nothing about the area of law you are doing an assignment for, but the associates/partners are quite good about explaining things concisely and in an easy to understand way. Just don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you get the billing number, the deadline, and the format they want the assignment in (memo, email, oral or written summary, etc)

[IzziesGal]

You should wear a suit the first day anyway. You'll probably be taking photos and stuff for your card/firm facebook and don't want to look unimpressive.

I've been at it for a week too. The first couple days are uber stressful, and sometimes its scary if you know nothing about the area of law you are doing an assignment for, but the associates/partners are quite good about explaining things concisely and in an easy to understand way. Just don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you get the billing number, the deadline, and the format they want the assignment in (memo, email, oral or written summary, etc)

This is going to sound incredibly ignorant, but we are going to be billing hours as SAs? I was under the impression that we didn't actually bill yet, since some clients don't want summers working on their matters.

[98234872348]

y.

[LawSchoolWannaBe]

You should wear a suit the first day anyway. You'll probably be taking photos and stuff for your card/firm facebook and don't want to look unimpressive.

I've been at it for a week too. The first couple days are uber stressful, and sometimes its scary if you know nothing about the area of law you are doing an assignment for, but the associates/partners are quite good about explaining things concisely and in an easy to understand way. Just don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you get the billing number, the deadline, and the format they want the assignment in (memo, email, oral or written summary, etc)

This is going to sound incredibly ignorant, but we are going to be billing hours as SAs? I was under the impression that we didn't actually bill yet, since some clients don't want summers working on their matters.

This may differ at different firms. Some may bill their SAs out, some may not. Many will probably give out a decent amount of non-billable work, too.

[IzziesGal]

We all need to check in tomorrow and give updates. I need to get to sleep....eventually. But I'm terrified I will sleep through both of my alarms.

[Rotor]

Oy vey. This is absolutely making me more nervous lol.

Well, you only have the OP to blame for starting the thread.

Good luck IG (and everyone else starting tomorrow)!

[DoubleChecks]

ugh im curious now too -- is it wise to choose to do your SA in an area that you have absolutely zero knowledge in? i was hoping to work in transactional stuff, but i have taken zero transactional courses (on account of me being a 1L)...will i be pwned? lol i know they say a business background is not necessary to work in corporate/transactional dept...but is it wise for a backgroundless SA to do so?

[Stanford4Me]

Just ironed my shirt/tie and laid out my suit. Feeling like $100...kind of. Still need to polish my shoes, though.

[transferguy]

Worked till at least 8 every night this week, now doing research on a Sunday afternoon for a motion I'm writing.

Taking questions, insults, etc. ...

I suggest not doing what this guy is doing. There's absolutely no reason to be staying until 8 every night, especially *NOT* during the first week when 3/4 of the stuff entailed in the first week is hardly substantive. I stayed past 730 at the office doing work maybe 2-3 times my entire summer. You really don't want to be pegged as "that guy" and this is a surefire way to get yourself that title.

As far as what to wear the first day, everyone at my firm suited up and I think that's the best way to go.

[nonprofit-prophet]

I start in the morning but can't find my SS card...I also left my birth certificate back in NYC, so providing them with originals will take a while. They sent us a schedule of events we're having the first week, looks like it'll be fun.

Can't you just bring in your passport?

Never been outside the US.

It shouldn't be too much of a problem. We sent in our paperwork/copies of our documentation a few weeks ago. I guess they just need originals for verification. I'm requesting my SS card tomorrow, and if they need it quicker I'll head to the courthouse and get another copy of by birth certificate. Long form, of course.

Dude you may be SOL. I'm pretty sure federal law requires the person signing your I9 form to see the original docs within 3 or 4 days of your start date. If you don't have your passport, BC, or SS, you may not be able to start work. I had this happen to me last summer. I was about 2 weeks away from starting when I found out. I got expedited service on all three forms and just hoped one would show up in time. My passport arrived the day before.

[dood]

We all need to check in tomorrow and give updates. I need to get to sleep....eventually. But I'm terrified I will sleep through both of my alarms.

I have two alarms and a friend who promised to call .

http://wakerupper.com/

[IzziesGal]

Thanks, Rotor! And good luck to everyone as well.

Yes, getting up this early sucks. So does not being able to wear flip flops and capris every day. But I am loving my shoe splurge - a pair of black Manolo kitten heels. Super comfy (somehow) and they make me feel like a rockstar.

Also....I'm here like an hour early chilling at Starbucks. From where my family lives, it can either be a 45 min drive or a 2 hr drive into the city. Better to be safe than sorry on day 1!

[IzziesGal]

By the way....this Starbucks has no restroom because "people destroyed it and it cost too much money to constantly fix." Ohh New York, how I've missed you.

[Stanford4Me]

Dude you may be SOL. I'm pretty sure federal law requires the person signing your I9 form to see the original docs within 3 or 4 days of your start date. If you don't have your passport, BC, or SS, you may not be able to start work. I had this happen to me last summer. I was about 2 weeks away from starting when I found out. I got expedited service on all three forms and just hoped one would show up in time. My passport arrived the day before.

On my way to pick up my birth certificate from the County Clerk. Opens at 8, I'll be there at 8 and work starts at 9 about 15 minutes from the Clerk's office. Thank goodness.

[IzziesGal]

Dude you may be SOL. I'm pretty sure federal law requires the person signing your I9 form to see the original docs within 3 or 4 days of your start date. If you don't have your passport, BC, or SS, you may not be able to start work. I had this happen to me last summer. I was about 2 weeks away from starting when I found out. I got expedited service on all three forms and just hoped one would show up in time. My passport arrived the day before.

On my way to pick up my birth certificate from the County Clerk. Opens at 8, I'll be there at 8 and work starts at 9 about 15 minutes from the Clerk's office. Thank goodness.

I love it when a plan comes together! Good luck.....I'm crossing my fingers there's no line or wait.

[nonprofit-prophet]

Dude you may be SOL. I'm pretty sure federal law requires the person signing your I9 form to see the original docs within 3 or 4 days of your start date. If you don't have your passport, BC, or SS, you may not be able to start work. I had this happen to me last summer. I was about 2 weeks away from starting when I found out. I got expedited service on all three forms and just hoped one would show up in time. My passport arrived the day before.

On my way to pick up my birth certificate from the County Clerk. Opens at 8, I'll be there at 8 and work starts at 9 about 15 minutes from the Clerk's office. Thank goodness.

oh youre SA-ing in the same place that issued your BC? That's lucky. Good luck!

[jkay]

Going against the grain and NOT wearing a suit today. I have spent enough time in the office (they wanted me to come in for two half days of computer systems training) that I know I would be "that guy" in a suit. Not even the senior named partner who is like 150 wears a suit...

/justification

[Stanford4Me]

Dude you may be SOL. I'm pretty sure federal law requires the person signing your I9 form to see the original docs within 3 or 4 days of your start date. If you don't have your passport, BC, or SS, you may not be able to start work. I had this happen to me last summer. I was about 2 weeks away from starting when I found out. I got expedited service on all three forms and just hoped one would show up in time. My passport arrived the day before.

On my way to pick up my birth certificate from the County Clerk. Opens at 8, I'll be there at 8 and work starts at 9 about 15 minutes from the Clerk's office. Thank goodness.

I love it when a plan comes together! Good luck.....I'm crossing my fingers there's no line or wait.

There was absolutely no line. All-in-all it took about 10 minutes (including entering and leaving the building). I ended up awkwardly driving around town trying to kill time. I feel really awkward right now because the firm I'm working with gave each SA their own office (which I am sitting in right now) and a secretary. What am I supposed to do with that? I also have a nice view of the city (though not a downtown view) from my huge window. I could get used to this...

[dougroberts]

To all who started today,

What did you wear, and did it look out-of-place?

What did you do on your first day? Any real work, or training only? Did you like it, worried, etc.?

How's the competition?

[Anonymous User]

Worked till at least 8 every night this week, now doing research on a Sunday afternoon for a motion I'm writing.

Taking questions, insults, etc. ...

I suggest not doing what this guy is doing. There's absolutely no reason to be staying until 8 every night, especially *NOT* during the first week when 3/4 of the stuff entailed in the first week is hardly substantive. I stayed past 730 at the office doing work maybe 2-3 times my entire summer. You really don't want to be pegged as "that guy" and this is a surefire way to get yourself that title.

As far as what to wear the first day, everyone at my firm suited up and I think that's the best way to go.

Literally literally everyone at my business casual firm suited up.

[Blindmelon]

Everyone but 2 people suited up at my firm. They stuck out. The first day was a lot of meeting with the high ups in the firm so I'm glad I went for the suit.

[jkay]

Got thrown a ridiculously substantive letter to write for an attorney to another attorney. Ridiculous. Gave me until Wednesday.

Did I mention it's about two subjects I know nothing about?

[PirateCap'n]

Got thrown a ridiculously substantive letter to write for an attorney to another attorney. Ridiculous. Gave me until Wednesday.

Did I mention it's about two subjects I know nothing about?

Could be worse. I have to write a memo on a subject that apparently neither the state supreme court nor any other court has EVER discussed.

[Stanford4Me]

We're business formal until after Memorial Day, so I didn't have to deal with the whole suit/no-suit thing.

No assignments yet because we went through the training process - sexual harassment, insider trading, HR, login information. Tomorrow we're going to spend 3 hours learning how to use our firm's system (great). Assignments should start tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday.