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

[sap]

omg I just found THE PERFECT FUCKING CASE for this motion we're filing. right holding, right language/issue, right jurisdiction. usually I can't get all three so cleanly. this made my day.

That is always the best feeling.

[Yeshia90]

Had a partner jokingly say today that "this case will be waiting for you when you get back here next fall," given how excruciatingly long it's taken, so naturally I'm reading way too far into it and deciding that I didn't do anything last week to get no-offered, but hey, for a neurotic like me, that's a nice feeling.

[brotherdarkness]

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[09042014]

It's not a bad sign, but like you said it doesn't promise shit.

But if you guys are at 100% firms, chillax.

[Danger Zone]

Had a partner jokingly say today that "this case will be waiting for you when you get back here next fall," given how excruciatingly long it's taken, so naturally I'm reading way too far into it and deciding that I didn't do anything last week to get no-offered, but hey, for a neurotic like me, that's a nice feeling.

Associates/partners have been making statements like that here, too. It's vaguely comforting, even when you know it doesn't guarantee shit.

I never feel comforted when they say stuff like this. It reminds me that there's a possibility I won't be there next fall. I'd rather not be reminded of my mortality.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

Summer started out great: contributed to court of appeals brief, found great cases for motion to dismiss, etc. since then I've gotten a few crappy assignments in a row. Writing a blog for firm on area of law I know/care nothing about. Updating cases in huge publication in another area of law I know nothing about. Creating a chart of damages awards where associate acknowledges the differences are likely arbitrary. I'm hoping I have another substantive research assignment soon. That's much more satisfying than what I'm doing now. I think id honestly rather do doc review.

[Valley of the Deer]

Summer started out great: contributed to court of appeals brief, found great cases for motion to dismiss, etc. since then I've gotten a few crappy assignments in a row. Writing a blog for firm on area of law I know/care nothing about. Updating cases in huge publication in another area of law I know nothing about. Creating a chart of damages awards where associate acknowledges the differences are likely arbitrary. I'm hoping I have another substantive research assignment soon. That's much more satisfying than what I'm doing now. I think id honestly rather do doc review.

Just think--it's low risk work. You just have to do the work and collect a WAY bigger paycheck than what you're worth. The less complicated the work, the smaller chance you have of fucking up and risking a no offer.

When you think about it like that, even the most boring work is pretty nice.

[Valley of the Deer]

I never feel comforted when they say stuff like this. It reminds me that there's a possibility I won't be there next fall. I'd rather not be reminded of my mortality.

Agreed. Give me the offer and then we can chat about my future all you want.

[brotherdarkness]

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[Yeshia90]

I feel like I'm playing a game of musical chairs. Hopefully there's a seat for us when the music stops.

If Mr. "I like staying until midnight and coming in on Saturdays" can't get an offer, god help the rest of us.

[brotherdarkness]

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[wiz]

I feel like I'm playing a game of musical chairs. Hopefully there's a seat for us when the music stops.

If Mr. "I like staying until midnight and coming in on Saturdays" can't get an offer, god help the rest of us.

Let's not start this shit again. Thanks.

I like you, and you've def helped me out in the past, but you kinda did bring these types of comments on yourself. It's fine to be neurotic about getting no-offered, though you must also realize that you work your ass off and are at a 100% offer firm.

[Anonymous User]

If we go to all the other social events, it's cool to miss the firm 5k right? Running blows.

[jbagelboy]

If we go to all the other social events, it's cool to miss the firm 5k right? Running blows.

Depends; if its for breast cancer awareness or something, could make you appear a little less than the perfect samaritan, but probably not enough to matter.

[fl0w]

If we go to all the other social events, it's cool to miss the firm 5k right? Running blows.

Depends; if its for breast cancer awareness or something, could make you appear a little less than the perfect samaritan, but probably not enough to matter.

I would never run for the firm. I also hate running. But you could bring a snack for when people finish or something. That's a way to attend and also show you are thoughtful and care about the people.

[Anonymous User]

Partner emailed me earlier (before lunch) saying he'd call me later to discuss an assignment. The day is winding down and I haven't heard anything. Should I email him and ask if he's like to discuss today or tomorrow?

[fl0w]

Partner emailed me earlier (before lunch) saying he'd call me later to discuss an assignment. The day is winding down and I haven't heard anything. Should I email him and ask if he's like to discuss today or tomorrow?

just call or stop by if you can. but if you do be prepared to discuss immediately (have pen and paper). A lot of email runs through an atty's inbox and sometimes they just don't reply to all of it as soon as they'd like to.

[Anonymous User]

Partner emailed me earlier (before lunch) saying he'd call me later to discuss an assignment. The day is winding down and I haven't heard anything. Should I email him and ask if he's like to discuss today or tomorrow?

just call or stop by if you can. but if you do be prepared to discuss immediately (have pen and paper). A lot of email runs through an atty's inbox and sometimes they just don't reply to all of it as soon as they'd like to.

Showing up uninvited after he said he'd reach out to me wouldn't be seen as pestering?

[jbagelboy]

Partner emailed me earlier (before lunch) saying he'd call me later to discuss an assignment. The day is winding down and I haven't heard anything. Should I email him and ask if he's like to discuss today or tomorrow?

just call or stop by if you can. but if you do be prepared to discuss immediately (have pen and paper). A lot of email runs through an atty's inbox and sometimes they just don't reply to all of it as soon as they'd like to.

Showing up uninvited after he said he'd reach out to me wouldn't be seen as pestering?

I have (generally) found just going to people's offices ready to take notes on the next assignment or check in is better than email bombardment. Then again, we have a very friendly "open door" type of office.

[fl0w]

Partner emailed me earlier (before lunch) saying he'd call me later to discuss an assignment. The day is winding down and I haven't heard anything. Should I email him and ask if he's like to discuss today or tomorrow?

just call or stop by if you can. but if you do be prepared to discuss immediately (have pen and paper). A lot of email runs through an atty's inbox and sometimes they just don't reply to all of it as soon as they'd like to.

Showing up uninvited after he said he'd reach out to me wouldn't be seen as pestering?

The fact that they've reached out to you is an invite. If they are busy when you come by, they will tell you.
I'm not kidding, partners forget that they are supposed to talk to you.

[brotherdarkness]

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[Jency]

SAs you will enjoy your summer once you calm your anxiety. Everyone at my firm was offered, all of my friends were offered, and the friends of my friends were all offered. Actually, I do not know of anyone who was not offered and this includes friends of SAs. I have yet to hear anyone say that they knew of, or heard about, someone that was not offered.

[fl0w]

SAs you will enjoy your summer once you calm your anxiety. Everyone at my firm was offered, all of my friends were offered, and the friends of my friends were all offered. Actually, I do not know of anyone who was not offered and this includes friends of SAs. I have yet to hear anyone say that they knew of, or heard about, someone that was not offered.

just to fan the flames... someone was no-offered in my SA class. It does happen.

[jbagelboy]

SAs you will enjoy your summer once you calm your anxiety. Everyone at my firm was offered, all of my friends were offered, and the friends of my friends were all offered. Actually, I do not know of anyone who was not offered and this includes friends of SAs. I have yet to hear anyone say that they knew of, or heard about, someone that was not offered.

just to fan the flames... someone was no-offered in my SA class. It does happen.

yea, people talk about 'the guy who didn't get an offer' from past years - so it definitely happens - but really it seems to be people from 2009-2010 (and maybe into 2011) that got no-offered. That year, it seems like a lot of firms went lean on just about everything.

honestly I know I'm less likely to get an offer than the rest of you (just because that's how it works), but I do like this firm so I can hope! I'm sure all of you will be getting offers though. The fact that we are even aware of the possibility of not getting one, and that we act accordingly, makes a world of difference compared to the asshole who has no clue how to act in a professional environment

[fl0w]

I mean I was referring to summer 2012. It is always possible to eff it up. Just don't.