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One of the partners at my firm is throwing a pool party this weekend. Just wondering how important it is for me to attend such an event? I'm a new lawyer and associate (been with my firm/been a lawyer for 1 month and a week).

I already have plans, I just found out about this pool party a few moments ago. Also, I don't really have desire to go.

every event you fail to attend increases your odds of getting shitcanned. hope that helps

0L so what do I know but I think in general (regardless of the industry) it is harder to fire people you know and like and feel a personal connection to.

I don't know what the risks of actually getting fired from a firm job are in this economy. Maybe they're small, I don't know. If you do decide to go to the pool party you probably don't need to stay real long.

ETA: I know I'm not supposed to post in this forum as a 0L so I won't do it again but (1) at least I'm upfront about the fact I don't know anything (2) i do have non-legal professional work experience and I think there are some general principles that probably hold true regardless of the industry and (3) my dad was a lawyer (albeit not for a firm, he worked for the government) so I do have some firsthand knowledge of what a legal career looks like.

Really depends upon the particular situation. How big is your firm ? How much work do you do for this partner or in his practice area ? = Might be some things to think about. Without more, turning down a partner's social invitation to socialize with friends is not a wise career move, but not necessarily fatal either. Also, how would you feel if you only learned of the pool party after the event (i.e. you were not invited) ? It may happen in the future if you refuse to attend this time.

In this economy, go to the pool party

go to see the younger female associates in bikinis and spit awkward game at them

eta: this is assuming you are a dude (also, you probably shouldn't actually do this)

Just go to the pool party man.

Don't over think it. Yes, it is better if you go, but don't change your plans if they are really important (i.e. booked trip out of town, a friend's wedding, etc..). Is it possible for you to do both? Perhaps show up at the pool party for a couple hours and skip out early? All in all, not going wont get you fired, but taking advantage of every work social function gives you a chance to be liked, and being liked is always a good thing.

Maybe OP is scared of sharing his bikini body? jk couldn't help myself.

But is this a norm? I'd feel pretty uncomfortable myself going to a pool party with co-workers in itty bitty swimmies.

A firm pool party thrown by a person who is probably (statistically-speaking) a middle-aged, married man is 64% creepy. It's somewhere between "talks way too much to the co-eds at the firm's college tailgating event" creepy and "asks for pictures in his job application for secretary" creepy.

If that's the reason for you not attending, then that's another factor altogether. Ignoring that, do what dafuq you want to do. Wait, that's bad advice. We're lawyers who want ever .002% advantage we can get in our careers. In that case, go if you have a good personality that will help you, and don't go if you have a bad personality that will hurt you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYz3E4MckSw

You go to that pool party. You go there and you own it.

Don't go if you will be unhappy to be there because you will get negative credit. Go if you can come off as likeable/fun because why not?

Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:Don't go if you will be unhappy to be there because you will get negative credit. Go if you can come off as likeable/fun because why not?

I definitely agree with this. Going and being miserable is much worse than not going at all. I'm not sure why you would not want to go though, unless it has something to do with your previous plans. Sounds like a chance to get know your co-workers better in a social setting.

Plus women in bikinis

bearsfan23 wrote:

Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:Don't go if you will be unhappy to be there because you will get negative credit. Go if you can come off as likeable/fun because why not?

I definitely agree with this. Going and being miserable is much worse than not going at all. I'm not sure why you would not want to go though, unless it has something to do with your previous plans. Sounds like a chance to get know your co-workers better in a social setting.

Plus women in bikinis

Fucking lol

If you've been there a month and there's already a pool party, I don't think this is the only social event your firm is ever going to have or that partner is going to be at. Plus it's in five days. If you don't want to go, send a polite RSVP no and indicate you already have plans or will be out of town (even if you won't ... a little white lie never hurt), but will be sorry to miss out. Just make an effort to attend the next thing. NBD.

If you're still REALLY concerned, ask someone you trust or can ask this kind of stuff AT YOUR FIRM. (If you have a mentor, or ask a 2d or 3d yr or something.) They'll be able to tell you whether or not this is truly important at your specific job way better than strangers on TLS.

What are the odds anyone actually gets in the pool at this pool party?

jchiles wrote:What are the odds anyone actually gets in the pool at this pool party?

I’ve thrown a couple pool parties, mainly for the other younger associates and summers. Most everyone went in the pool. Those who do not want to go in general show up in shorts. The couple of times a partner came over they jumped in.

I don't make a big deal about it, purely word of mouth, no flyers (with GPS no need for directions). But yeah, when a partner has an event, I and most everyone else attends… including secs, IT, para, etc.

jchiles wrote:What are the odds anyone actually gets in the pool at this pool party?

One of the partners at the firm I'm summering at just had a BBQ in his backyard and the email said swimming optional. The only people who wore bathing suits and went in the water were the small children of some of the older associates / partners. It was still fun though hanging out with everyone.

While it may seem burdensome, if there are attorneys going who have small children and have to both socialize and make sure their little ones don't drown simultaneously, there isn't really an excuse for you not to go. It's pretty high strung to associate a pool party with getting fired. This kind of seems like a do I have to go to class question. There's no general answer.

twenty 8 wrote:

jchiles wrote:What are the odds anyone actually gets in the pool at this pool party?

I’ve thrown a couple pool parties, mainly for the other younger associates and summers. Most everyone went in the pool. Those who do not want to go in general show up in shorts. The couple of times a partner came over they jumped in.

I don't make a big deal about it, purely word of mouth, no flyers (with GPS no need for directions). But yeah, when a partner has an event, I and most everyone else attends… including secs, IT, para, etc.

That's pretty cool, events described as "pool parties" where nobody gets in are bogus.

I would just go for a few hours and try to have a good time. Have a couple drinks and schmooze your co-workers; just dont get too sloshed

Also, chicks in bikinis

Just go and have fun

..