Summer Associate Class of 2016 Forum

[Anonymous User]

So I shaved my scrotum, but now I'm unsure whether to pull the power move of plopping it on the receptionist's desk or waiting for someone to casually notice when I wear shorts (dress ofc) on Week 2.

[bwh8813]

So I shaved my scrotum, but now I'm unsure whether to pull the power move of plopping it on the receptionist's desk or waiting for someone to casually notice when I wear shorts (dress ofc) on Week 2.

Save the shorts for July. As long as they're Bermuda shorts with the knee-high socks, you'll be fine. Make sure to leave a bottle of Gold Bond with your paralegal in case you need some extra soothing, or to soak up the summer swamp.

[Anonymous User]

I've had no projects assigned to me so far (started work last Monday) and am getting concerned. I spoke to my associate mentor and work allocation committee and they said to sit tight, they would give me work when they had something, but it feels weird all the same.

[RaceJudicata]

I've had no projects assigned to me so far (started work last Monday) and am getting concerned. I spoke to my associate mentor and work allocation committee and they said to sit tight, they would give me work when they had something, but it feels weird all the same.

Not a knock on you at all - i'm sure they just haven't gotten around to giving you work because they are preoccupied with their own stuff - but what have you been doing all week? Surfing the web? Hopefully the situation gets better.. Or you are in for a boring summer hah

[JenDarby]

I've had no projects assigned to me so far (started work last Monday) and am getting concerned. I spoke to my associate mentor and work allocation committee and they said to sit tight, they would give me work when they had something, but it feels weird all the same.

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to stress too much. You'll have this feeling many times throughout your career, especially early on. I just started a new job 6 weeks ago as a 2014 graduate and my boss specifically acknowledged that I should enjoy the down time while it lasts because once I'm fully integrated people won't leave me alone. He also put a time frame at "around 6 months or so." As a summer it feels especially difficult since you'll only be there a couple months to begin with, but compare with your peers and stay proactive on getting assignments. Otherwise just recognize its not a reflection on you considering they don't even know you yet lol.

[Anonymous User]

@RaceJudicata
pretty much just been refreshing my email, reading practice guides on Westlaw and skimming the NYT, lol. I'm really hoping something comes through for me soon.

@JenDarby
Thanks for the reassurances! It just feels especially incongruous because the department I've been assigned to is extremely busy, so everyone around me is running around frazzled while I'm at my desk twiddling my thumbs. But apparently most of the deals are at a stage where it's difficult to break off parts for SAs to work on.

[pancakes3]

what are the other SA's in your office doing?

[BigZuck]

If they're extremely busy it actually makes sense that they don't have anything for you because they have no time to make up an assignment or meet with an SA because they have real work to do. If they were slow then they could spend lots of time making up make work assignments for you and meeting with you to talk about them, etc.

[El Pollito]

@RaceJudicata
pretty much just been refreshing my email, reading practice guides on Westlaw and skimming the NYT, lol. I'm really hoping something comes through for me soon.

@JenDarby
Thanks for the reassurances! It just feels especially incongruous because the department I've been assigned to is extremely busy, so everyone around me is running around frazzled while I'm at my desk twiddling my thumbs. But apparently most of the deals are at a stage where it's difficult to break off parts for SAs to work on.

Super busy people are less likely to take the time to find something a summer can do, and are less likely to want to take the time to have their work delayed by a summer.

e: scooped

[PeanutsNJam]

Forgot to wear a belt on my first day, how much fellatio do I have to perform to rectify this mistake?

[BigZuck]

Forgot to wear a belt on my first day, how much fellatio do I have to perform to rectify this mistake?

You're not actually planning on going back for the second day, are you?

[Anonymous User]

@RaceJudicata
pretty much just been refreshing my email, reading practice guides on Westlaw and skimming the NYT, lol. I'm really hoping something comes through for me soon.

@JenDarby
Thanks for the reassurances! It just feels especially incongruous because the department I've been assigned to is extremely busy, so everyone around me is running around frazzled while I'm at my desk twiddling my thumbs. But apparently most of the deals are at a stage where it's difficult to break off parts for SAs to work on.

Super busy people are less likely to take the time to find something a summer can do, and are less likely to want to take the time to have their work delayed by a summer.

e: scooped

Along this line, myself and some others have gotten 1 or no assignments in the first week for this exact reason. Deals are ramping up and there isn't delegable work yet. But I'm not worried, just enjoying relaxing haha.

Forgot to wear a belt on my first day, how much fellatio do I have to perform to rectify this mistake?

You're not actually planning on going back for the second day, are you?

[Slytherpuff]

I enjoyed my first day a lot. My summer class is full of fun, friendly, and sociable people - overall I feel like I picked the right firm so far.

[Slytherpuff]

Oh and I have a girl crush on my senior associate mentor, she was the coolest ever. Had such a great lunch today.

[Anonymous User]

First day of summer at "business casual" firm - of course everyone was wearing a suit, myself included. I felt bad for the one guy who actually dressed in chinos and a shirt. Clearly no offer.

[Mr. Blackacre]

^ Accidental anon.

[Anonymous User]

First day went great! My firm is on the ball about getting us real work though and says that we should all have assignments by tomorrow morning, and if not, to contact HR.

Bit disappointed by the 3-1 guy girl ratio though.

[cron1834]

First day of summer at "business casual" firm - of course everyone was wearing a suit, myself included. I felt bad for the one guy who actually dressed in chinos and a shirt.

Lol brutal.

[t-14orbust]

first day at biz casual firm. no summers wore a suit

[Tiberius42]

First day at a SoCal biz cas heavy IP firm. The dudes all wore chinos and shirts, but I get the sense that the email specifically telling us not to wear suits had something to do with that. Everyone seems super nice.

[Anonymous User]

I'm at a biz cas firm and yet 90% of summers wore a suit every day for the first week and 75% continue to wear a suit

And it's hard to tell because they often take their jackets off, but it seems like a very good pct. of associates and partners wear suits too. At least, no one gives you a second look for being "that guy" if you wear a suit every day. There seem to be many of such people.

It's getting to the point where if I don't wear a suit I feel awkward sometimes. Especially if going out to a fancy lunch or firm event. It just seems like the standard is to wear a suit.

So much for biz cas.

[Anonymous User]

Mid-sized working summer from before checking in again.

Working in a mid-sized (small compared to major market firms) is pretty cool. Good amount of work is institutional clients with large matters, so the work there is mostly what i'd imagine biglaw is like (research memos on a small, discrete piece of something), but there are also small matters that small businesses and wealthy individuals come to us with because of the firm's reputation. With those, summers get to handle some pretty cool stuff (client interviews, handling investigations, working on theories of a case with the partner).

[pancakes3]

Are you guys rolling up your sleeves? I'm gonna roll up my sleeves.

[Anonymous User]

I'm at a biz cas firm and yet 90% of summers wore a suit every day for the first week and 75% continue to wear a suit

And it's hard to tell because they often take their jackets off, but it seems like a very good pct. of associates and partners wear suits too. At least, no one gives you a second look for being "that guy" if you wear a suit every day. There seem to be many of such people.

It's getting to the point where if I don't wear a suit I feel awkward sometimes. Especially if going out to a fancy lunch or firm event. It just seems like the standard is to wear a suit.

So much for biz cas.

This for my firm as well.

[Anonymous User]

Are you guys rolling up your sleeves? I'm gonna roll up my sleeves.

Nope, ashy elbows