2022 Summer Associate Thread (direct all your SA Qs here) Forum

[Anonymous User]

A themed event at a private home seems so extra. Too much potential for something to go wrong or some summers to feel uncomfortable. Personally if I wasn't 100% sure how to go I'd err on the conservative side and not go with the theme (and avoid alcohol).

[Anonymous User]

Wear your mid-thigh romper or whatever. This is Florida--not NY or Chicago. Hosting boating events, pool parties, barbecues in Florida all require you to wear shorts, etc. I see this being no different.

Piece of advice, just ask the senior associate or another associate if this looks good. Or just do it and rock it. Have a personality and have fun. Florida firms are sooooooo much better in this regard.

Sounds like a fun event!

[Anonymous User]

Wear your mid-thigh romper or whatever. This is Florida--not NY or Chicago. Hosting boating events, pool parties, barbecues in Florida all require you to wear shorts, etc. I see this being no different.

Piece of advice, just ask the senior associate or another associate if this looks good. Or just do it and rock it. Have a personality and have fun. Florida firms are sooooooo much better in this regard.

Sounds like a fun event!

Funny enough, we do have a boating event and barbecue scheduled, too. Thanks for the advice!

[bwh8813]

Just finished my second week at a V15 in NYC. Any advice for what to do in lull periods—when you're just waiting for feedback on your work product or for a new assignment to pick up pace? I've been communicative with my teams/other associates I've met/the recruiting team about having availability and have asked for new assignments too, but they've told me sometimes there really isn't work for a summer to do immediately. I've asked for practice group resources and have started reading guides (such as internal firm resources to learn about various topics) etc. but it feels awkward to just bill lunches/dinners with fellow summers and associates on some days. I also know I've only been here for two weeks and maybe I'm getting wayyyy ahead of myself, but was wondering if others are or were in the same boat.

Go make friends with the secretaries/assistants. It'll pay off later.

[Anonymous User]

Deleted

[temp69420]

Just finished my second week at a V15 in NYC. Any advice for what to do in lull periods—when you're just waiting for feedback on your work product or for a new assignment to pick up pace? I've been communicative with my teams/other associates I've met/the recruiting team about having availability and have asked for new assignments too, but they've told me sometimes there really isn't work for a summer to do immediately. I've asked for practice group resources and have started reading guides (such as internal firm resources to learn about various topics) etc. but it feels awkward to just bill lunches/dinners with fellow summers and associates on some days. I also know I've only been here for two weeks and maybe I'm getting wayyyy ahead of myself, but was wondering if others are or were in the same boat.

Go make friends with the secretaries/assistants. It'll pay off later.

Make friends with staff in the building also. People are genuinely impressed when you know all the security guards and they know you, for example. Same for cafeteria and cleaning staff, etc.

Reading the internal guides is smart. Find whatever else you can, e.g. travel policies. Never hurts to know all those details and underline a few things.

[Anonymous User]

A themed event at a private home seems so extra. Too much potential for something to go wrong or some summers to feel uncomfortable. Personally if I wasn't 100% sure how to go I'd err on the conservative side and not go with the theme (and avoid alcohol).

Lol my firm does these all the time. If everyone’s a halfway responsible adult it’s fine.

[onmars]

what am I supposed to do all day if I have literally no work? we’re required to be in person, and I haven’t had a drop of work since last week. I’ve asked for work every place I can, and still, nothing. how do I make it through another day of this?

[JusticeChuckleNutz]

what am I supposed to do all day if I have literally no work? we’re required to be in person, and I haven’t had a drop of work since last week. I’ve asked for work every place I can, and still, nothing. how do I make it through another day of this?

Look at your bank account and realize you're being paid vast sums of $$$ to do nothing.

[Anonymous User]

what am I supposed to do all day if I have literally no work? we’re required to be in person, and I haven’t had a drop of work since last week. I’ve asked for work every place I can, and still, nothing. how do I make it through another day of this?

Look at your bank account and realize you're being paid vast sums of $$$ to do nothing.

+1. But if you truly must do something to keep busy, ask a partner or associate if they have any ideas for trade publications that you could help research/draft. The partners always want their name on that stuff, but never have enough time to do the work themselves.

[LBJ's Hair]

what am I supposed to do all day if I have literally no work? we’re required to be in person, and I haven’t had a drop of work since last week. I’ve asked for work every place I can, and still, nothing. how do I make it through another day of this?

enjoy it. go to lunch

[Anonymous User]

So I'm a 1L SA at a NYC V100 and I've been trying to RSVP to receptions being given by other firms, but my firm has also scheduled frequent social events after work hours that they insist are mandatory, and they seems to always conflict with the other firms' receptions. Is it bad form to skip some of my firm's "mandatory" events, and if I do will they get suspicious that I'm being "disloyal" or whatever?

[Anonymous User]

2L SA. I like the people I work with, but I really feel like I don’t belong.

The partners, associates, and summers in my office have parents who were doctors/lawyers/big financial folks—I know this because it’s come up on occassion when people ask about family, or through topics like past vacations.

I was the first person in my family to go to college at all (and certainly the first to go to law school). I was in a children’s home at one point. I haven’t gone on any fancy trips to see the world, I can’t contribute to conversations about fine dining, and I’m just feeling out of place. I’m also from a state law school.

I’ve worked hard to get here, and I believe in my ability to do the work as much as the next person, but sometimes it feels like nothing I do will ever allow me to catch up and belong. Has anyone else been here? Does it get better?

[jaekeem]

2L SA. I like the people I work with, but I really feel like I don’t belong.

The partners, associates, and summers in my office have parents who were doctors/lawyers/big financial folks—I know this because it’s come up on occassion when people ask about family, or through topics like past vacations.

I was the first person in my family to go to college at all (and certainly the first to go to law school). I was in a children’s home at one point. I haven’t gone on any fancy trips to see the world, I can’t contribute to conversations about fine dining, and I’m just feeling out of place. I’m also from a state law school.

I’ve worked hard to get here, and I believe in my ability to do the work as much as the next person, but sometimes it feels like nothing I do will ever allow me to catch up and belong. Has anyone else been here? Does it get better?

You’ll get an offer, and that is all the proof you need to know that you belong, because it means that they think you do. If anything, stand proud that you’re working the same job as them, despite all the relative differences. I know your family is.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

2L SA. I like the people I work with, but I really feel like I don’t belong.

The partners, associates, and summers in my office have parents who were doctors/lawyers/big financial folks—I know this because it’s come up on occassion when people ask about family, or through topics like past vacations.

I was the first person in my family to go to college at all (and certainly the first to go to law school). I was in a children’s home at one point. I haven’t gone on any fancy trips to see the world, I can’t contribute to conversations about fine dining, and I’m just feeling out of place. I’m also from a state law school.

I’ve worked hard to get here, and I believe in my ability to do the work as much as the next person, but sometimes it feels like nothing I do will ever allow me to catch up and belong. Has anyone else been here? Does it get better?

Yes, 80 or 90 percent of that will go away when you start full time. This summer is a lot of small talk, meals, and social events. As a full time associate you will spend a much higher percentage of your time doing real work. While Richy McRich IV may be a better person for the partner to do a wine tasting with, this all matters less when the partner just needs you both to be responsive and do (mostly simple) tasks reliably.

[Anonymous User]

PSA to summers. Do not lie to a group of people in a networking event about something that’s very, very easy to verify. It makes you look insecure and dumb. It’s ok that you transferred to a T6 and didn’t initially get into one. Don’t lie about this. You’re at the same firm as all the T6 grads. So why lie? Associates have access to your resumes.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

PSA to summers. Do not lie to a group of people in a networking event about something that’s very, very easy to verify. It makes you look insecure and dumb. It’s ok that you transferred to a T6 and didn’t initially get into one. Don’t lie about this. You’re at the same firm as all the T6 grads. So why lie? Associates have access to your resumes.

You can see their entire resumes? That seems dumb. Some resumes include things like “medical leave for treatment for XYZ disease”, military deployments, resume gaps, and political/government work that the summer may not want to advertise to all 1000 lawyers at BigLaw Firm LLP.

[BrowsingTLS]

PSA to summers. Do not lie to a group of people in a networking event about something that’s very, very easy to verify. It makes you look insecure and dumb. It’s ok that you transferred to a T6 and didn’t initially get into one. Don’t lie about this. You’re at the same firm as all the T6 grads. So why lie? Associates have access to your resumes.

You can see their entire resumes? That seems dumb. Some resumes include things like “medical leave for treatment for XYZ disease”, military deployments, resume gaps, and political/government work that the summer may not want to advertise to all 1000 lawyers at BigLaw Firm LLP.

I think it's dumb to be so insecure about a resume gap that you would write "took medical leave" on your resume. LOL. REALLY? Defend the gap if you must at the interview.

To answer the question, yes. I've been at a V10 and now work at a V50 and both let us see students' resumes. I think it's weird that the other poster is shaming someone for "lying" about their school. Probably wasn't even a lie as much as it was a misunderstanding. I assume it's a gossipy summer posing as an attorney, because what attorney cares about where summers went to school and will spend time to verify their answers?

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

PSA to summers. Do not lie to a group of people in a networking event about something that’s very, very easy to verify. It makes you look insecure and dumb. It’s ok that you transferred to a T6 and didn’t initially get into one. Don’t lie about this. You’re at the same firm as all the T6 grads. So why lie? Associates have access to your resumes.

You can see their entire resumes? That seems dumb. Some resumes include things like “medical leave for treatment for XYZ disease”, military deployments, resume gaps, and political/government work that the summer may not want to advertise to all 1000 lawyers at BigLaw Firm LLP.

I think it's dumb to be so insecure about a resume gap that you would write "took medical leave" on your resume. LOL. REALLY? Defend the gap if you must at the interview.

To answer the question, yes. I've been at a V10 and now work at a V50 and both let us see students' resumes. I think it's weird that the other poster is shaming someone for "lying" about their school. Probably wasn't even a lie as much as it was a misunderstanding. I assume it's a gossipy summer posing as an attorney, because what attorney cares about where summers went to school and will spend time to verify their answers?

Im at a V20 and was not able to view the summer associates’ resumes. Agree that I don’t really care if they conceal/lie about transferring, because I don’t care where they went to school.

[Anonymous User]

I cannot imagine caring that someone transferred schools, let alone expending absolutely any effort to determine that they transferred schools. The poster is a lunatic and I feel comfortable saying that everyone can safely ignore them.

[nixy]

PSA to summers. Do not lie to a group of people in a networking event about something that’s very, very easy to verify. It makes you look insecure and dumb. It’s ok that you transferred to a T6 and didn’t initially get into one. Don’t lie about this. You’re at the same firm as all the T6 grads. So why lie? Associates have access to your resumes.

You can see their entire resumes? That seems dumb. Some resumes include things like “medical leave for treatment for XYZ disease”, military deployments, resume gaps, and political/government work that the summer may not want to advertise to all 1000 lawyers at BigLaw Firm LLP.

It seems sort of dumb to put stuff on your resume that you don't want the people who are deciding whether to hire you to see. You have no idea which of the 1000 lawyers is going to see your resume so you kind of have to assume that any of them might.

In any case, circulating summers' resumes is very common.

[nixy]

I cannot imagine caring that someone transferred schools, let alone expending absolutely any effort to determine that they transferred schools. The poster is a lunatic and I feel comfortable saying that everyone can safely ignore them.

I mean, the poster didn't care that they transferred, just that they lied about it. It does seem like a bad call to describe yourself to people in a way that's different from what you put on your resume, but mostly I'd just feel bad for someone who felt they needed to do so.

[Anonymous User]

While Richy McRich IV may be a better person for the partner to do a wine tasting with, this all matters less when the partner just needs you both to be responsive and do (mostly simple) tasks reliably.

Agreed. Richie McRich IV will indeed be tasting wine with clients while you churn sig. pages.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

PSA to summers. Do not lie to a group of people in a networking event about something that’s very, very easy to verify. It makes you look insecure and dumb. It’s ok that you transferred to a T6 and didn’t initially get into one. Don’t lie about this. You’re at the same firm as all the T6 grads. So why lie? Associates have access to your resumes.

You can see their entire resumes? That seems dumb. Some resumes include things like “medical leave for treatment for XYZ disease”, military deployments, resume gaps, and political/government work that the summer may not want to advertise to all 1000 lawyers at BigLaw Firm LLP.

It seems sort of dumb to put stuff on your resume that you don't want the people who are deciding whether to hire you to see. You have no idea which of the 1000 lawyers is going to see your resume so you kind of have to assume that any of them might.

In any case, circulating summers' resumes is very common.

But sometimes you have to. Whether you spent 2 years working at McDonald’s or a 6 month period unemployed, or you worked at the NRA, you have to tell the truth on your resume when you apply for the job. Regardless of whether or not you want to share it with everyone at the firm.

[nixy]

You can see their entire resumes? That seems dumb. Some resumes include things like “medical leave for treatment for XYZ disease”, military deployments, resume gaps, and political/government work that the summer may not want to advertise to all 1000 lawyers at BigLaw Firm LLP.

It seems sort of dumb to put stuff on your resume that you don't want the people who are deciding whether to hire you to see. You have no idea which of the 1000 lawyers is going to see your resume so you kind of have to assume that any of them might.

In any case, circulating summers' resumes is very common.

But sometimes you have to. Whether you spent 2 years working at McDonald’s or a 6 month period unemployed, or you worked at the NRA, you have to tell the truth on your resume when you apply for the job. Regardless of whether or not you want to share it with everyone at the firm.

You have to tell the truth about whatever you put on your resume, but you don't have to put everything on your resume. It's a selection of your greatest hits, not your bar application. So if you had to take medical leave, maybe you put that on, but you sure don't have to put what your medical condition was. If you think having the NRA on your resume is going to hurt you, you can leave it off. Sure, maybe then you have to come up with an explanation for what you were doing, and maybe leaving it off creates more problems than it solves, but it's always an option.

But mostly I don't get why you're freaking out over this. There's no shame in working at McDonalds or being unemployed for a time. (Military deployment, which you mentioned above, is way more often a plus than a minus.) And again, you don't have any control over who's going to see the resume when you apply - if you worked for the NRA, the NRA-hating liberal might be on the hiring committee reviewing your application at OCI. And you're not going to work with all 1000 attorneys - if you don't work with that NRA-hating liberal while you're a summer, they're not going to remember or care that you have the NRA on your resume.

Basically, if you get hired with [whatever stuff] on your resume, clearly that stuff isn't a problem for the firm and you're overthinking it.