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A senior associate just got back to me about a couple of shorter (5ish pages each) motions that I had submitted to him a while back. My feedback wasn't bad but it wasn't good--basically although I addressed the usual issues, I missed the nuanced strategic arguments that he was trying to make. Anyways, he ended up using about half of my draft in the final draft. My question is whether the fact that he used some of my original work (and didn't totally scrap it) is a good thing or if it's bad that he didn't use more of my draft in the final??

Also, FYI I am a 2L working part time at a firm during the semester.

You're a 2L. He can't expect you to know nuanced strategic issues. You're fine.

i think u shud take his email as trying to help u learn, not berate you

Sounds encouraging actually. Like your employer is vested in helping you. If he wasn't, he wouldn't have e-mailed you in the first place. Congrats!