ITT: Summer Associates Post About Their Anxiety (2012) Forum

[IAFG]

Going to start next week at a regional firm of ~150 attorneys in its main office of roughly 45 attorneys. I'm one of only two SAs (they were planning to hire three but only ended up hiring two). Anyone have any advice?

This is one of those everyone-becomes-a-partner firms that claims to not plan for attrition or turnover at all. Last summer, only 1 of 3 got an offer, though in summers before that it's been higher. I'm excited (this is exactly the type of firm I wanted to work for) but also super nervous.

You talking about Cole Schotz

You have Aspergers

[Anonymous User]

Named partner at a Midlaw firm assigned a memo on an interesting First Amendment problem that "will probably never come up in litigation." Defendant submitted a motion Friday, and apparently the First Amendment issue is now going to decide the outcome of a multimillion dollar class action.

Turning in memo tomorrow. I should have paid more attention in ConLaw.

[Anonymous User]

Going to start next week at a regional firm of ~150 attorneys in its main office of roughly 45 attorneys. I'm one of only two SAs (they were planning to hire three but only ended up hiring two). Anyone have any advice?

This is one of those everyone-becomes-a-partner firms that claims to not plan for attrition or turnover at all. Last summer, only 1 of 3 got an offer, though in summers before that it's been higher. I'm excited (this is exactly the type of firm I wanted to work for) but also super nervous.

You talking about Cole Schotz

If this is accurate, their recruiting person, in my experience, was a huge "see you next Tuesday".

[fl0w]

Named partner at a Midlaw firm assigned a memo on an interesting First Amendment problem that "will probably never come up in litigation." Defendant submitted a motion Friday, and apparently the First Amendment issue is now going to decide the outcome of a multimillion dollar class action.

Turning in memo tomorrow. I should have paid more attention in ConLaw.

nah, conlaw doesn't give you enough 1st amendment to have been helpful; it's all commerce clause. You would have had to taken a specific course on 1st amendment in anticipation of this assignment.

but enjoy.

[Anonymous User]

Starting tomorrow in DC. Very nervous.

[blurbz]

Also starting tomorrow.

I just hope I can get the energy up for all the networking and social events, starting with a welcome breakfast tomorrow morning, after about a month of pure introversion.

[PirateCap'n]

Mid-summer reviews coming up this week. Slightly nervous but looking forward to it.

[moandersen]

Mid-summer reviews coming up this week. Slightly nervous but looking forward to it.

That's cool your office does that - as far as I know the one I'm at does not. What's with wearing the ties everyday? No business casual?

[northwood]

I wear a tie every day... About half of the attorneys do and my supervisor does... They dont define business casual... But simple go with the directive to dress similarly to your dept

[Anonymous User]

Nm.

[PirateCap'n]

Mid-summer reviews coming up this week. Slightly nervous but looking forward to it.

That's cool your office does that - as far as I know the one I'm at does not. What's with wearing the ties everyday? No business casual?

Yeah. I think it's pretty nice. As for the suits/ties, I think most of the SAs have gone with just a button-down without a tie recently from what I've seen.

[Anonymous User]

NYC Biglaw SAs: What time have you generally been leaving the office most nights? Worked any weekends (from home or otherwise) yet?

[Anonymous User]

NYC Biglaw SAs: What time have you generally been leaving the office most nights? Worked any weekends (from home or otherwise) yet?

5:30. No weekends. Firm seems to be all about making this a paid vacation for us.

[Anonymous User]

NYC Biglaw SAs: What time have you generally been leaving the office most nights? Worked any weekends (from home or otherwise) yet?

I'm averaging probably 6:30. No weekend work.

[Anonymous User]

NYC Biglaw SAs: What time have you generally been leaving the office most nights? Worked any weekends (from home or otherwise) yet?

5:30. No weekends. Firm seems to be all about making this a paid vacation for us.

I'm the anon that posted the original question. Just making sure I'm not the only one; this makes me feel better. I feel like all I do is go to lunch. Not that I'm complaining. And, of course, this will probably change as the summer progresses.

[Anonymous User]

I also start tomorrow. Anything you guys are doing to prepare?

[Anonymous User]

NYC Biglaw SAs: What time have you generally been leaving the office most nights? Worked any weekends (from home or otherwise) yet?

5:30. No weekends. Firm seems to be all about making this a paid vacation for us.

I'm the anon that posted the original question. Just making sure I'm not the only one; this makes me feel better. I feel like all I do is go to lunch. Not that I'm complaining. And, of course, this will probably change as the summer progresses.

I'm similar. Range from 5:30 to 7:30, typically around 6:30. Probably doing legitimate "billable" work an average of 5-6 hours a day. (Very inefficiently of course.)

[Anonymous User]

1. is it okay for biglaw SA to listen to ipod all day long while working?
2. does it look bad to shut the office door?

just trying to screen some noise and concentrate on working.... comments?

[shoeshine]

1. is it okay for biglaw SA to listen to ipod all day long while working?
2. does it look bad to shut the office door?

just trying to screen some noise and concentrate on working.... comments?

Neither of those things are okay.

You are there to network and get to know the lawyers/staff. You can't do that with headphones in your ears or the door closed.

[Ludo!]

I definitely wouldn't shut my door but I've listened to headphones. I just keep it low enough so that if somebody stops by my office I can hear them

e: And I definitely don't listen to music all day.

[Anonymous User]

NYC Biglaw SAs: What time have you generally been leaving the office most nights? Worked any weekends (from home or otherwise) yet?

Left as early as 530 (Friday before Memorial Day) to as late as 1030. Worked from home tonight (Sunday), for a few hours.
This is little uncommon for my firm's program, but I've been put on a few hot matters/last-minute clusterfucks for deals.

[5ky]

1. is it okay for biglaw SA to listen to ipod all day long while working?
2. does it look bad to shut the office door?

just trying to screen some noise and concentrate on working.... comments?

Neither of those things are okay.

You are there to network and get to know the lawyers/staff. You can't do that with headphones in your ears or the door closed.

I don't see a problem with either, particularly with headphones. How does listening to an ipod to drown out noise preclude you from talking to people?

[r6_philly]

I don't see a problem with either, particularly with headphones. How does listening to an ipod to drown out noise preclude you from talking to people?

I don't think it's wrong, but people tend not to socialize or bother you when you have your headphone on. So while people with business will still talk to you, people who just want to chat and say hi may not when they walk by.

[shoeshine]

.

[5ky]

I hope this isn't a serious question.

Different firms have different cultures, I guess. Also, at least the way offices at my firm are set up, you can't really see SAs unless you actually poke your head in the door.