First Day at a SA.... Forum

[Anonymous User]

...what do you do?

[TLSModBot]

Kick the ass of the biggest associate you can find. Otherwise you're liable to become some senior's bitch.

[girlrunning]

You show up, fill out paperwork, meet people, get your office assignment, do lunch, set up email account on phone/get some kind of IT training, maybe pick an assignment you like from a database, happy hour after 5. [Or a similar version of this.]

[reasonable person]

Just do good work. That's how to set yourself apart.

[elterrible78]

Ask if you can meet some of the clients. Schedule dinner with named partners. (even if you are denied, it will show them you have confidence and initiative).

I'm not sure the sarcasm is obvious enough here, and we both know there are people on these boards who would take this seriously.

So, OP, just in case...don't do this.

[Sinchuk1012]

Ask if you can meet some of the clients. Schedule dinner with named partners. (even if you are denied, it will show them you have confidence and initiative).

This is incredible. Someone do this and let me know what happens.

[DportIA]

Wear a suit.
Smile.
Make polite conversation and shut the fuck up at the same time.
Bring documents needed for employment paperwork.

/thread

[TheDogWhisperer]

Wear a suit.
Smile.
Make polite conversation and shut the fuck up at the same time.
Bring documents needed for employment paperwork.

/thread

Wear a suit, even though that's not the dress code because.. you know.. you gotta let everyone know you're a SA

[rahulg91]

Wear a suit.
Smile.
Make polite conversation and shut the fuck up at the same time.
Bring documents needed for employment paperwork.

/thread

Wear a suit, even though that's not the dress code because.. you know.. you gotta let everyone know you're a SA

Doesn't it make sense to start out with a suit, and then dress down once you get a feel for what others wear? I've been told your entire SA is an extended interview, don't you want to keep your guard up for the duration?

[lawschoolftw]

Wear a suit.
Smile.
Make polite conversation and shut the fuck up at the same time.
Bring documents needed for employment paperwork.

/thread

Wear a suit, even though that's not the dress code because.. you know.. you gotta let everyone know you're a SA

Doesn't it make sense to start out with a suit, and then dress down once you get a feel for what others wear? I've been told your entire SA is an extended interview, don't you want to keep your guard up for the duration?

For maximum positive impressions, tux and bow tie is the way to go.

[TheDogWhisperer]

Wear a suit.
Smile.
Make polite conversation and shut the fuck up at the same time.
Bring documents needed for employment paperwork.

/thread

Wear a suit, even though that's not the dress code because.. you know.. you gotta let everyone know you're a SA

Doesn't it make sense to start out with a suit, and then dress down once you get a feel for what others wear? I've been told your entire SA is an extended interview, don't you want to keep your guard up for the duration?

Yes, wear a suit. I was only suggesting that the practice is stupid.

[Stevoman]

Filled out paperwork
Met lots of people
IT and legal software training
Lunch
More training

Basically you won't do any substantive legal work your first day. Don't gun too hard.

[kaiser]

You make it rain, bro.

[WHJTMG178]

You make it rain, bro.

Is it smart to wait for SA to start to bring in client matters? Or should we be shopping our portable books of business at OCI?

[pancakes3]

Ask if you can meet some of the clients. Schedule dinner Do lines with named partners. (even if you are denied, it will show them you have confidence and initiative).

[downinDtown]

You make it rain, bro.

Is it smart to wait for SA to start to bring in client matters? Or should we be shopping our portable books of business at OCI?

Ask this guy what he thinks...http://abovethelaw.com/2014/03/gunner-f ... questions/

[smallfirmassociate]

Show up on time, be eager but professional. You're expected to be the young, hard-charging type, but you don't want to be brushed off as naive.

Get into your office, make sure your equipment works and that you'll be physically comfortable. Take care of any minor IT or ergonomic issues and get ready to work.

As a way to dip your toe into the waters, ask an associate attorney if you can see a file or some docs from a case, just to read and learn what kind of work the firm does. Read it carefully, noting any mistakes: grammar, legal strategy, whatever. Write a memo on what you would have done differently and why, and give it to a partner in that associate's division. Show that you have a knack for legal analysis and attention to detail, the two most important traits for an associate. Just don't be snarky and you'll be fine.

You will probably get asked to lunch, but you'll want to decline to start with. Just bring your own lunch. Something healthy, inexpensive, but don't go full peasant. I recommend a tuna fish sandwich with a tomato slice and dill relish on a ciabatta roll or some kind of decent bread. Eat it in your office. Egg salad is another good choice.

You'll probably want to head off about 4:00, 4:15 so you don't look like creepy, self-important gunner SA who thinks he needs to stay late and "work." Besides, you need to set parameters early in your career or you'll get walked all over. If anyone makes this an issue (they won't; summers don't work anyway), tell them that's why you stay through lunch, to get in your facetime. Ensure they have your cell number and tell them you can work from home if they just call you.

That should get you started on the right foot. Good luck!

[rpupkin]

Basically you won't do any substantive legal work your first day entire summer.

[Other25BeforeYou]

Wear a suit.
Smile.
Make polite conversation and shut the fuck up at the same time.
Bring documents needed for employment paperwork.

/thread

Be polite to everyone, not just attorneys. I wish this went without saying, but experience suggests it doesn't.

After the new SAs had IT training at my firm last summer, I was informed by numerous staff members that only one of them had been polite enough to thank the staff members who trained them. You really don't want all the IT staff and assistants to perceive you as rude and ungrateful starting on your very first day. Especially since they know more about the firm and the practice of law than you do and may be in the position of helping or harming your offer chances at numerous points throughout the summer.

[jd20132013]

Show up on time, be eager but professional. You're expected to be the young, hard-charging type, but you don't want to be brushed off as naive.

Get into your office, make sure your equipment works and that you'll be physically comfortable. Take care of any minor IT or ergonomic issues and get ready to work.

As a way to dip your toe into the waters, ask an associate attorney if you can see a file or some docs from a case, just to read and learn what kind of work the firm does. Read it carefully, noting any mistakes: grammar, legal strategy, whatever. Write a memo on what you would have done differently and why, and give it to a partner in that associate's division. Show that you have a knack for legal analysis and attention to detail, the two most important traits for an associate. Just don't be snarky and you'll be fine.

You will probably get asked to lunch, but you'll want to decline to start with. Just bring your own lunch. Something healthy, inexpensive, but don't go full peasant. I recommend a tuna fish sandwich with a tomato slice and dill relish on a ciabatta roll or some kind of decent bread. Eat it in your office. Egg salad is another good choice.

You'll probably want to head off about 4:00, 4:15 so you don't look like creepy, self-important gunner SA who thinks he needs to stay late and "work." Besides, you need to set parameters early in your career or you'll get walked all over. If anyone makes this an issue (they won't; summers don't work anyway), tell them that's why you stay through lunch, to get in your facetime. Ensure they have your cell number and tell them you can work from home if they just call you.

That should get you started on the right foot. Good luck!

The best part of this is how it went both ways

[elterrible78]

Show up on time, be eager but professional. You're expected to be the young, hard-charging type, but you don't want to be brushed off as naive.

Get into your office, make sure your equipment works and that you'll be physically comfortable. Take care of any minor IT or ergonomic issues and get ready to work.

As a way to dip your toe into the waters, ask an associate attorney if you can see a file or some docs from a case, just to read and learn what kind of work the firm does. Read it carefully, noting any mistakes: grammar, legal strategy, whatever. Write a memo on what you would have done differently and why, and give it to a partner in that associate's division. Show that you have a knack for legal analysis and attention to detail, the two most important traits for an associate. Just don't be snarky and you'll be fine.

You will probably get asked to lunch, but you'll want to decline to start with. Just bring your own lunch. Something healthy, inexpensive, but don't go full peasant. I recommend a tuna fish sandwich with a tomato slice and dill relish on a ciabatta roll or some kind of decent bread. Eat it in your office. Egg salad is another good choice.

You'll probably want to head off about 4:00, 4:15 so you don't look like creepy, self-important gunner SA who thinks he needs to stay late and "work." Besides, you need to set parameters early in your career or you'll get walked all over. If anyone makes this an issue (they won't; summers don't work anyway), tell them that's why you stay through lunch, to get in your facetime. Ensure they have your cell number and tell them you can work from home if they just call you.

That should get you started on the right foot. Good luck!

The best part of this is how it went both ways

Was thinking the same thing. Some of it is pretty solid advice, some of it is ciabatta rolls and tomato slices. Still not sure what to make of it.

[rpupkin]

Show up on time, be eager but professional. You're expected to be the young, hard-charging type, but you don't want to be brushed off as naive.

Get into your office, make sure your equipment works and that you'll be physically comfortable. Take care of any minor IT or ergonomic issues and get ready to work.

As a way to dip your toe into the waters, ask an associate attorney if you can see a file or some docs from a case, just to read and learn what kind of work the firm does. Read it carefully, noting any mistakes: grammar, legal strategy, whatever. Write a memo on what you would have done differently and why, and give it to a partner in that associate's division. Show that you have a knack for legal analysis and attention to detail, the two most important traits for an associate. Just don't be snarky and you'll be fine.

You will probably get asked to lunch, but you'll want to decline to start with. Just bring your own lunch. Something healthy, inexpensive, but don't go full peasant. I recommend a tuna fish sandwich with a tomato slice and dill relish on a ciabatta roll or some kind of decent bread. Eat it in your office. Egg salad is another good choice.

You'll probably want to head off about 4:00, 4:15 so you don't look like creepy, self-important gunner SA who thinks he needs to stay late and "work." Besides, you need to set parameters early in your career or you'll get walked all over. If anyone makes this an issue (they won't; summers don't work anyway), tell them that's why you stay through lunch, to get in your facetime. Ensure they have your cell number and tell them you can work from home if they just call you.

That should get you started on the right foot. Good luck!

The best part of this is how it went both ways

Was thinking the same thing. Some of it is pretty solid advice, some of it is ciabatta rolls and tomato slices. Still not sure what to make of it.

Wut? Outside of the part about making sure your computer works, this is all (intentionally) horrible advice. That some of you can't see that is mind boggling.

[elterrible78]

Wut? Outside of the part about making sure your computer works, this is all (intentionally) horrible advice. That some of you can't see that is mind boggling.

True. Showing up on time and being eager but professional are great ways to ensure a no-offer.

[BigZuck]

Show up on time, be eager but professional. You're expected to be the young, hard-charging type, but you don't want to be brushed off as naive.

Get into your office, make sure your equipment works and that you'll be physically comfortable. Take care of any minor IT or ergonomic issues and get ready to work.

As a way to dip your toe into the waters, ask an associate attorney if you can see a file or some docs from a case, just to read and learn what kind of work the firm does. Read it carefully, noting any mistakes: grammar, legal strategy, whatever. Write a memo on what you would have done differently and why, and give it to a partner in that associate's division. Show that you have a knack for legal analysis and attention to detail, the two most important traits for an associate. Just don't be snarky and you'll be fine.

You will probably get asked to lunch, but you'll want to decline to start with. Just bring your own lunch. Something healthy, inexpensive, but don't go full peasant. I recommend a tuna fish sandwich with a tomato slice and dill relish on a ciabatta roll or some kind of decent bread. Eat it in your office. Egg salad is another good choice.

You'll probably want to head off about 4:00, 4:15 so you don't look like creepy, self-important gunner SA who thinks he needs to stay late and "work." Besides, you need to set parameters early in your career or you'll get walked all over. If anyone makes this an issue (they won't; summers don't work anyway), tell them that's why you stay through lunch, to get in your facetime. Ensure they have your cell number and tell them you can work from home if they just call you.

That should get you started on the right foot. Good luck!

The best part of this is how it went both ways

Was thinking the same thing. Some of it is pretty solid advice, some of it is ciabatta rolls and tomato slices. Still not sure what to make of it.

Wut? Outside of the part about making sure your computer works, this is all (intentionally) horrible advice. That some of you can't see that is mind boggling.

This is some pretty rancid anti-tuna sandwhich trolling even for you

[star fox]

What's so bad about ciabatta?