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

[Anonymous User]

Okay, this is basically just going to be me sort of venting, but fuck it, there's nobody else for me to talk about this with.

Today, I got my first real, substantive assignment--drafting part of an appellate brief--and for the first time, I got the sense that I might actually be cut out for this after all. Stayed until 8, got a perverse sense of joy from that, and got the most positive feedback I've gotten so far this summer. Really enjoyed doing the writing, and I feel like I'm pretty good at it. I'd been fighting through boredom and a creeping sense of inadequacy as I basically did nothing but research for the first two weeks, but today? Today was a good day.

--ImageRemoved--

[Hipster but Athletic]

Getting told to write a quick/informal memo to update one dude only to have it shot to everyone in the group isn't my favorite

[brotherdarkness]

.

[Old Gregg]

Okay, this is basically just going to be me sort of venting, but fuck it, there's nobody else for me to talk about this with.

I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure that's not venting.

[09042014]

Okay, this is basically just going to be me sort of venting, but fuck it, there's nobody else for me to talk about this with.

I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure that's not venting.

He's MAF he's doing research apparently.

[Anonymous User]

I’m wondering if anyone has run up against this problem: We’ve all heard about gunner SA’s, but what about gunner associates?
I’m currently doing this rotation which involves working under a 5th year associate, who exudes “gunner” and “workaholic”, and is always here by the time I arrive in the morning and always here when I leave. That’s saying a lot since I’ve been here as early as 8:15 am and as late as 10 pm. The problem is that, in addition to the normal work day, he often hands me assignments close to the end of the day, or just about a half-hour before I’m expected to attend a firm social event. Worse, when this happens on Friday afternoons, he heavily hints that there’s “work to do” on weekends.

It’s almost as if he’s oblivious to SA’s obligations to other assigning partners and event attendance.
When I remind him of an event coming up only 20 minutes away, or my assignment for another partner/associate, I could almost sense his dismissiveness and disgust as he says, “AAAhh, forget about it, go enjoy your <event> <weekend>.”

Am I screwed? I’m wondering what impact this guy will have on my offer prospects. Strangely, I happen to like the guy on a personal level.

[jbagelboy]

I’m wondering if anyone has run up against this problem: We’ve all heard about gunner SA’s, but what about gunner associates?
I’m currently doing this rotation which involves working under a 5th year associate, who exudes “gunner” and “workaholic”, and is always here by the time I arrive in the morning and always here when I leave. That’s saying a lot since I’ve been here as early as 8:15 am and as late as 10 pm. The problem is that, in addition to the normal work day, he often hands me assignments close to the end of the day, or just about a half-hour before I’m expected to attend a firm social event. Worse, when this happens on Friday afternoons, he heavily hints that there’s “work to do” on weekends.

It’s almost as if he’s oblivious to SA’s obligations to other assigning partners and event attendance.
When I remind him of an event coming up only 20 minutes away, or my assignment for another partner/associate, I could almost sense his dismissiveness and disgust as he says, “AAAhh, forget about it, go enjoy your <event> <weekend>.”

Am I screwed? I’m wondering what impact this guy will have on my offer prospects. Strangely, I happen to like the guy on a personal level.

You are surprised that an associate is working longer hours than you as a summer? That's basically a cardinal rule. If you're staying till 10 you're already working 4 hours harder than anyone expects you to.

[Anonymous User]

You are surprised that an associate is working longer hours than you as a summer? That's basically a cardinal rule. If you're staying till 10 you're already working 4 hours harder than anyone expects you to.

I know that's the "rule", but here in NYC, I'm sure I'm not the only one staying late. Questions still stands: What impact does a senior associate have in the review process when it comes to offers/no-offers?

[fl0w]

You are surprised that an associate is working longer hours than you as a summer? That's basically a cardinal rule. If you're staying till 10 you're already working 4 hours harder than anyone expects you to.

I know that's the "rule", but here in NYC, I'm sure I'm not the only one staying late. Questions still stands: What impact does a senior associate have in the review process when it comes to offers/no-offers?

If you do work for a senior associate, they generally write a review of that work. The hiring partner will read that review and it will be considered in an offer/no offer decision.

[Anonymous User]

You are surprised that an associate is working longer hours than you as a summer? That's basically a cardinal rule. If you're staying till 10 you're already working 4 hours harder than anyone expects you to.

I know that's the "rule", but here in NYC, I'm sure I'm not the only one staying late. Questions still stands: What impact does a senior associate have in the review process when it comes to offers/no-offers?

If you do work for a senior associate, they generally write a review of that work. The hiring partner will read that review and it will be considered in an offer/no offer decision.

Shit. Start mass-mailing?

[run26.2]

I don't think the facts you describe will sink you, especially if you have done good work for a few partners. If it were a partner, though, you might want to be worried. The associate is probably just trying to take advantage of the extra help, or may be hazing you a bit.

Once you start, you are going to have to do the assignments, though.

[desertlaw]

Sounds like the associate is just a dick. I don't understand why anyone would give a summer associate work unless they are begging for it or unless there are literally no other options. Let them have fun; they can be soulless, billing machines in 14 months from now.

[iheartmonkey]

I had my first review today and it went well. It appears as if they have no idea that I'm making it up as I go along...

[brotherdarkness]

.

[sap]

ETA: Holy shit, I can't believe we're approaching the halfway point! This is going really, really fast.

I'm having the same feels. Also, the air conditioning in my building broke and I literally think I might die.

[brotherdarkness]

.

[sap]

ETA: Holy shit, I can't believe we're approaching the halfway point! This is going really, really fast.

I'm having the same feels. Also, the air conditioning in my building broke and I literally think I might die.

Our office is frigid.

Men's professional clothes are designed for that, so if you're complaining it must be bad. Our office is so bad that they're feeding us Popsicles.

[crit_racer]

I’m wondering if anyone has run up against this problem: We’ve all heard about gunner SA’s, but what about gunner associates?
I’m currently doing this rotation which involves working under a 5th year associate, who exudes “gunner” and “workaholic”, and is always here by the time I arrive in the morning and always here when I leave. That’s saying a lot since I’ve been here as early as 8:15 am and as late as 10 pm. The problem is that, in addition to the normal work day, he often hands me assignments close to the end of the day, or just about a half-hour before I’m expected to attend a firm social event. Worse, when this happens on Friday afternoons, he heavily hints that there’s “work to do” on weekends.

It’s almost as if he’s oblivious to SA’s obligations to other assigning partners and event attendance.
When I remind him of an event coming up only 20 minutes away, or my assignment for another partner/associate, I could almost sense his dismissiveness and disgust as he says, “AAAhh, forget about it, go enjoy your <event> <weekend>.”

Am I screwed? I’m wondering what impact this guy will have on my offer prospects. Strangely, I happen to like the guy on a personal level.

Without getting into specifics, I'll say I was in a very very similar situation with a 7th year associate who was obvi gunning for partner. This was at a NYC v10 in case it matters. She was stressed out as fuck and wanted me to be working 80 hour weeks or whatever but I also wanted to attend social events and stuff. End of summer came and she gave me a generic but good review (hiring partner reads quotes to you when you get offer at this firm). I wouldn't worry about it. At the end of the day, most biglaw associates are smart enough to realize that tenor stress is causing them to act like dicks.

[SA2014]

D

[shock259]

I’m wondering if anyone has run up against this problem: We’ve all heard about gunner SA’s, but what about gunner associates?
I’m currently doing this rotation which involves working under a 5th year associate, who exudes “gunner” and “workaholic”, and is always here by the time I arrive in the morning and always here when I leave. That’s saying a lot since I’ve been here as early as 8:15 am and as late as 10 pm. The problem is that, in addition to the normal work day, he often hands me assignments close to the end of the day, or just about a half-hour before I’m expected to attend a firm social event. Worse, when this happens on Friday afternoons, he heavily hints that there’s “work to do” on weekends.

It’s almost as if he’s oblivious to SA’s obligations to other assigning partners and event attendance.
When I remind him of an event coming up only 20 minutes away, or my assignment for another partner/associate, I could almost sense his dismissiveness and disgust as he says, “AAAhh, forget about it, go enjoy your <event> <weekend>.”

Am I screwed? I’m wondering what impact this guy will have on my offer prospects. Strangely, I happen to like the guy on a personal level.

Not screwed. Do your best to accommodate the associate and keep him happy, but try and find work elsewhere and don't take on any new assignments from him if you can. He may not have much experience with the summer program. During my SA there were a couple of associates that treated the SAs like junior associates (gave them long assignments with short deadlines, expected/asked them to miss summer events). When a couple of them missed a big social event because of that associate, the hiring partner talked to the associate, he relaxed and stopped giving them so much work, and it was no longer an issue.

[Danger Zone]

Did anyone else notice like I did that the percentage of those that picked "I love this Job" has dropped almost 10% since this survey was started?

I don't understand why. This is such an awesome job.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone else notice like I did that the percentage of those that picked "I love this Job" has dropped almost 10% since this survey was started?

I don't understand why. This is such an awesome job.

It's still the vast majority.

The job is awesome. I'll admit I'm getting a little more tense and enjoying it slightly less as our mid summer review approaches in a few days

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone else notice like I did that the percentage of those that picked "I love this Job" has dropped almost 10% since this survey was started?

I don't understand why. This is such an awesome job.

Not all of is are having chill 9-5 summers. I've gotten home only to be called back 5 minutes later, have been told to skip lunches, work weekends, etc. Also, there's a lot of anxiety--I don't know what I'm doing and my future depends on it.

That said, I still love it.

[fl0w]

Did anyone else notice like I did that the percentage of those that picked "I love this Job" has dropped almost 10% since this survey was started?

I don't understand why. This is such an awesome job.

Not all of is are having chill 9-5 summers. I've gotten home only to be called back 5 minutes later, have been told to skip lunches, work weekends, etc. Also, there's a lot of anxiety--I don't know what I'm doing and my future depends on it.

That said, I still love it.

It gets old.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone else notice like I did that the percentage of those that picked "I love this Job" has dropped almost 10% since this survey was started?

I don't understand why. This is such an awesome job.

Not all of is are having chill 9-5 summers. I've gotten home only to be called back 5 minutes later, have been told to skip lunches, work weekends, etc. Also, there's a lot of anxiety--I don't know what I'm doing and my future depends on it.

From what you say, I think maybe we're at the same firm. Do you have a 5th-year associate riding you too? Still, even loaded with work, consider myself part of the vast majority, though.