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thanks everyone!

instead of replying to the firm-wide email, why don't you ask someone in your practice group?

sorry - that email is addressed to HR only.

If they're so busy they need you to start early, they won't be going on the retreat and neither should you

so inappropriate to even ask right?

It sounds fine and professional to me, especially since you are sending it to HR and not the practice group itself.

Edit to Add: Imagine if the attorney's you are supposed to work with are taking the time to go on the retreat and you don't. You would be starting work right before a big trial without people around you to lead and guide you on what you should be doing. Nothing wrong with asking the HR people. The worst that could happen is that HR forwards to some of the practice group attorneys to find out if they are attending. But even then, I think the email would read that you are interested in attending the firm's events but only if it does not harm your practice group.