Lounge Lawyers Rate your Summer Associate Screw Ups Forum

[BaiAilian2013]

To me, warning you that a partner could have seen you is a sign that s/he is not going to tell anyone (this time).

Anecdotally, a partner came into my office once when it was obvious his knock had woken me up and I was trying desperately to hide it. Granted I was already a full-time associate at that point, but the only consequence was that he was grinning/trying not to laugh the whole time he was giving me his assignment.

[Anonymous User]

Pro bono assignment for legal aid group. Emailed finished research memo directly to attorney at legal aid in addition to the associate in my office because the legal aid attorney said it was time pressured and to send anything I found, even if I wasn't done with the project. Realize now, after the associate sent me a somewhat angry email about it, that I should have checked first/not emailed it directly to the legal aid attorney. No confidential information. Associate is just worried about quality control.

[09042014]

Pro bono assignment for legal aid group. Emailed finished research memo directly to attorney at legal aid in addition to the associate in my office because the legal aid attorney said it was time pressured and to send anything I found, even if I wasn't done with the project. Realize now, after the associate sent me a somewhat angry email about it, that I should have checked first/not emailed it directly to the legal aid attorney. No confidential information. Associate is just worried about quality control.

offer if it's okay work product

no offer if its terribad.

[Anonymous User]

Pro bono assignment for legal aid group. Emailed finished research memo directly to attorney at legal aid in addition to the associate in my office because the legal aid attorney said it was time pressured and to send anything I found, even if I wasn't done with the project. Realize now, after the associate sent me a somewhat angry email about it, that I should have checked first/not emailed it directly to the legal aid attorney. No confidential information. Associate is just worried about quality control.

offer if it's okay work product

no offer if its terribad.

I don't think the work was terrible. But unfortunately the law was pretty unfavorable for the argument they wanted to make, which I don't think will help.

[smallfirmassociate]

Pro bono assignment for legal aid group. Emailed finished research memo directly to attorney at legal aid in addition to the associate in my office because the legal aid attorney said it was time pressured and to send anything I found, even if I wasn't done with the project. Realize now, after the associate sent me a somewhat angry email about it, that I should have checked first/not emailed it directly to the legal aid attorney. No confidential information. Associate is just worried about quality control.

offer if it's okay work product

no offer if its terribad.

I don't think the work was terrible. But unfortunately the law was pretty unfavorable for the argument they wanted to make, which I don't think will help.

That doesn't really matter. Offer b/c nobody cares about legal aid.

[09042014]

Pro bono assignment for legal aid group. Emailed finished research memo directly to attorney at legal aid in addition to the associate in my office because the legal aid attorney said it was time pressured and to send anything I found, even if I wasn't done with the project. Realize now, after the associate sent me a somewhat angry email about it, that I should have checked first/not emailed it directly to the legal aid attorney. No confidential information. Associate is just worried about quality control.

offer if it's okay work product

no offer if its terribad.

I don't think the work was terrible. But unfortunately the law was pretty unfavorable for the argument they wanted to make, which I don't think will help.

That doesn't really matter. Offer b/c nobody cares about legal aid.

actually, on second thought, titcr

[run26.2]

Agree with BaiAilian2013--sounds like the non-attorney was just giving you a wake up call, so to speak. Just scaring you to keep you on the straight and narrow. Don't do it again.

I was falling asleep today at work. Sometimes it happens. But I didn't doze off. I got up, walked around, got coffee, and after a short break was able to continue working. So one lesson here is to learn to deal with your shortcomings.

[jess]

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[Stinson]

Damn, if a partner in my office saw me sleeping at my desk, he'd suggest that I go home and get some rest, take the day off. We are human, after all? I know someone will say, "Well when you need work done you can't be sleeping blah blah..." but then the real problem is the work not getting done, not the sleeping. Unless your work is affected, I think that'd be a bullshit reason for a no-offer, assuming that you weren't sleeping off a hangover or something unprofessional.

Same. If I stayed up all night partying and mess up work for someone the next morning because I'm sleeping and not sharp, then yeah, they'd be mad. But if I'm just tired they'd probably ask if I was okay, see if something was wrong, etc. Anyway, offer.

[run26.2]

After hours karaoke event with associates and partners. SA gets really wasted and struggles through Mulan's I'll Make a Man Out of You. Mom comes to pick up SA afterwards because SA is too drunk to drive. Endearing or no offer?

Neither. Likely offer, but not off to a great start reputation-wise. The karaoke bit is NBD. SA showed good sense in not driving, but probably should have called a cab before calling mom.

[Anonymous User]

Summer associate observed perusing personal phone on way to court, by full-time associate sitting next to him, who thinks it's rude. Offer or no offer? Same summer associate also made awkward joke in poor taste (about people getting no-offered) while drinking at firm event, and same full-time associate did not laugh.

[El Pollito]

Got called out (in private) by the assignment coordinator (non-attorney) that they saw me asleep in my office. I was up super late the night before finishing work and accidentally dozed off at my computer.

I'm scared shitless now. Is it a given that they will tell the hiring partners or whomever that they saw? Large market paying firm but give occasional no offers. Any way to redeem myself?

How'd the conversation go?

I went to chat with him about something unrelated, and he said he stopped by my office earlier and saw me asleep. And warned me that a partner or anyone else could have walked by and also seen me. No lecture, but not an attorney, but still an important person in the office so I have no idea whether they would and how much say they would have in hiring...

Praying run26.2 is right...I certainly am scared straight now...

You're probably good. I close my door for naps.

[Danger Zone]

Summer associate observed perusing personal phone on way to court, by full-time associate sitting next to him, who thinks it's rude. Offer or no offer? Same summer associate also made awkward joke in poor taste (about people getting no-offered) while drinking at firm event, and same full-time associate did not laugh.

Sounds the associate is a dick.

[seespotrun]

Summer associate observed perusing personal phone on way to court, by full-time associate sitting next to him, who thinks it's rude. Offer or no offer? Same summer associate also made awkward joke in poor taste (about people getting no-offered) while drinking at firm event, and same full-time associate did not laugh.

Sounds the associate is a dick.

Yeah, this. That associate has probably earned a reputation among the hiring committee for being an aspie weirdo who demands adherence to his/her bizarre list of social niceties that are unique to only him/her, and the hiring committee probably knows to discount his opinion of SAs accordingly.

So unless you sugarcoated the story in some way, OFFER.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, this. That associate has probably earned a reputation among the hiring committee for being an aspie weirdo who demands adherence to his/her bizarre list of social niceties that are unique to only him/her, and the hiring committee probably knows to discount his opinion of SAs accordingly.

So unless you sugarcoated the story in some way, OFFER.

The complication is that this is one of the few associates I've worked for who is in the group I want to join. Looking at personal phone (apps etc.) on way to court (while actual lawyers were busy prepping for court) gave off the impression that I wasn't interested, despite other occasions where I've been 'on' and expressed lots of interest. So maybe offer, but not with the group I want.

[seespotrun]

Yeah, this. That associate has probably earned a reputation among the hiring committee for being an aspie weirdo who demands adherence to his/her bizarre list of social niceties that are unique to only him/her, and the hiring committee probably knows to discount his opinion of SAs accordingly.

So unless you sugarcoated the story in some way, OFFER.

The complication is that this is one of the few associates I've worked for who is in the group I want to join. Looking at personal phone (apps etc.) on way to court (while actual lawyers were busy prepping for court) gave off the impression that I wasn't interested, despite other occasions where I've been 'on' and expressed lots of interest. So maybe offer, but not with the group I want.

Eh, maybe. Have you done work for any partners in that group?

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, this. That associate has probably earned a reputation among the hiring committee for being an aspie weirdo who demands adherence to his/her bizarre list of social niceties that are unique to only him/her, and the hiring committee probably knows to discount his opinion of SAs accordingly.

So unless you sugarcoated the story in some way, OFFER.

The complication is that this is one of the few associates I've worked for who is in the group I want to join. Looking at personal phone (apps etc.) on way to court (while actual lawyers were busy prepping for court) gave off the impression that I wasn't interested, despite other occasions where I've been 'on' and expressed lots of interest. So maybe offer, but not with the group I want.

Eh, maybe. Have you done work for any partners in that group?

The ones I've done work for, I've gone through senior associates and not met the partners. I've met another partner and tried to get to know him, but I doubt he would advocate for me. I'm thinking about starting reaching out to other firms because I will likely be unable to join the group I want and do the kind of work I want.

[seespotrun]

Yeah, this. That associate has probably earned a reputation among the hiring committee for being an aspie weirdo who demands adherence to his/her bizarre list of social niceties that are unique to only him/her, and the hiring committee probably knows to discount his opinion of SAs accordingly.

So unless you sugarcoated the story in some way, OFFER.

The complication is that this is one of the few associates I've worked for who is in the group I want to join. Looking at personal phone (apps etc.) on way to court (while actual lawyers were busy prepping for court) gave off the impression that I wasn't interested, despite other occasions where I've been 'on' and expressed lots of interest. So maybe offer, but not with the group I want.

Eh, maybe. Have you done work for any partners in that group?

The ones I've done work for, I've gone through senior associates and not met the partners. I've met another partner and tried to get to know him, but I doubt he would advocate for me. I'm thinking about starting reaching out to other firms because I will likely be unable to join the group I want and do the kind of work I want.

Is it a niche litigation practice? At any rate, you should sign up for 3L oci (as should every SA without a full time offer in hand).

[Anonymous User]

Didn't save memo I was working on for like four hours. Word froze, and it appeared I'd have to quit unexpectedly with no backup. Reflexively muttered "fuck". Partner across the hall heard (happened to be walking by). Soft spoken delivery, no yell.

[rpupkin]

Didn't save memo I was working on for like four hours. Word froze, and it appeared I'd have to quit unexpectedly with no backup. Reflexively muttered "fuck". Partner across the hall heard (happened to be walking by). Soft spoken delivery, no yell.

Offer. (Though the fact that you're even asking this question makes me think that you're summering at an extremely up-tight firm.)

[Anonymous User]

Didn't save memo I was working on for like four hours. Word froze, and it appeared I'd have to quit unexpectedly with no backup. Reflexively muttered "fuck". Partner across the hall heard (happened to be walking by). Soft spoken delivery, no yell.

Offer. (Though the fact that you're even asking this question makes me think that you're summering at an extremely up-tight firm.)

Nope, most laid back one I interviewed with. I just read the no offered thread while taking a break at work a few days back, and have been scarred. In general, I think unless you know someone hearing an aggressive word seems off putting esp. if you don't know why.

[Anonymous User]

A 5th year associate gave me a research assignment, after meeting me at a firm social event. She asked me to do a part of the research for a memo she has to write for an important new client, under heavy time pressure. I got the assignment on Wednesday, with a Friday deadline. I couldn't find much precedent, and the small amount I found was contrary to the conclusion the client wanted. Just found out today that the associate spent the weekend doing the research herself. She found amazing precedent, almost perfectly supporting the conclusion the client wanted, and she found quite a lot of it. The associate is highly respected, and in the group I want to work in.

[09042014]

A 5th year associate gave me a research assignment, after meeting me at a firm social event. She asked me to do a part of the research for a memo she has to write for an important new client, under heavy time pressure. I got the assignment on Wednesday, with a Friday deadline. I couldn't find much precedent, and the small amount I found was contrary to the conclusion the client wanted. Just found out today that the associate spent the weekend doing the research herself. She found amazing precedent, almost perfectly supporting the conclusion the client wanted, and she found quite a lot of it. The associate is highly respected, and in the group I want to work in.

Offer but probably not getting that group if there a summer they like better.

[smallfirmassociate]

A 5th year associate gave me a research assignment, after meeting me at a firm social event. She asked me to do a part of the research for a memo she has to write for an important new client, under heavy time pressure. I got the assignment on Wednesday, with a Friday deadline. I couldn't find much precedent, and the small amount I found was contrary to the conclusion the client wanted. Just found out today that the associate spent the weekend doing the research herself. She found amazing precedent, almost perfectly supporting the conclusion the client wanted, and she found quite a lot of it. The associate is highly respected, and in the group I want to work in.

Trending in the wrong direction. Hopefully you're showing you have other skills besides researching.

[JusticeJackson]

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