Practical tips for survival in biglaw Forum

[Companion Cube]

Note: not a single person has said "get a standing desk" yet

[First Offense]

This guy suggests being middle class and white, probably smart

http://www.bcgsearch.com/article/900045 ... -Law-Firm/

The middle class cares what others think of them and the lower and upper classes often could care less!

Triggered

Edit: Also this is an awful fucking article. I'm not saying that class and race may actually play a role in things, but if it does, this article does an awful job of examining the issue.

[sweetscholarlytreats]

Note: not a single person has said "get a standing desk" yet

reading comprehension fail

does your firm make you get a doctor's note?

[Cogburn87]

This guy suggests being middle class and white, probably smart

http://www.bcgsearch.com/article/900045 ... -Law-Firm/

I think this dude's stuff has been posted here before. If I recall correctly he's a "clause 9.2 and the way it works with 7.6"-level sociopath.

[Companion Cube]

Note: not a single person has said "get a standing desk" yet

reading comprehension fail

does your firm make you get a doctor's note?

Eh I guess I skipped that post. I gotta stop semi-drunk shitposting

[A. Nony Mouse]

It has some good insights on lower class people, especially the view of just clocking in and clocking out. But it's definitely pro striver.

No it doesn't. It has good Insights into how a prick views working class/minorities, but that's it. Which isn't to say it doesn't tell you anything about biglaw hiring, of course.

[sesto elemento]

It has some good insights on lower class people, especially the view of just clocking in and clocking out. But it's definitely pro striver.

No it doesn't. It has good Insights into how a prick views working class/minorities, but that's it. Which isn't to say it doesn't tell you anything about biglaw hiring, of course.

Poor people definitely tend to be unambitious clock punchers. Anyone who ever worked in retail has lived with that attitude.

There are definitely exceptions. The most hardworking in biglaw are the "born lower class but with a chip on their shoulder." They are pretty much psychopaths but they will bill whatever you ask for them and much more.

I'm gonna go with DF on this one. The article does make some good points, but it also makes some sweeping generalizations and only cites to self-serving anecdotes.

[First Offense]

Poor people definitely tend to be unambitious clock punchers. Anyone who ever worked in retail has lived with that attitude.

.

Perhaps true generally, but if you end up getting into a top law school and getting a job in Biglaw, you're probably not unambitious. Hell, you're probably obnoxiously strivery.

[WhirledWorld]

.

[rpupkin]

This guy suggests being middle class and white, probably smart

http://www.bcgsearch.com/article/900045 ... -Law-Firm/

Drivel. I stopped reading when he identified Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as "two of the most successful attorneys of our generation."

[nealric]

Couple of other tips:

1) Do not take on any pro bono for at least a year. It can be good experience and you can get exposure to partners and clients that you otherwise would not, but it can also be a huge timesuck, can interfere with your billable work, and you don't get "leeway" for subpar work especially if it is a big case. Wait until you've figured out how to control your schedule and workflow before committing to pro bono. Watch out for seniors who try to peer pressure you into taking on pro bono cases - a red flag that those matters are taking up a ton of time.

Not an option in most cases (at least it wasn't for me). Partner assigns it, you are doing it unless you have a REALLY good excuse. It's usually some bigwig's pet project that he sure as hell isn't going to do himself.

At my firm, you don't get assigned pro bono very often. But I would consider pro bono if you are slow, which happens at a lot of firms for first years.

For firms that count pro bono hours toward your billable hours, I am guessing this advice doesn't apply? Or am I missing something?

No matter what the firm says publicly, a pro bono hour is not equal to a billable hour in the eyes of management. Most firms have formal or informal caps on how much pro bono "counts" towards billable.

[Anonymous User]

I guess this is related to surviving biglaw at least indirectly. Is it wise to rent a condo one or two blocks away from Grove St PATH station in NJ and do a 30-40 minute (google says its 33 minutes, but is it really?) commute to Midtown East 5-7 times a week? I could cut this commute down to 15-20 minutes if I rent a condo near the 4 5 in UES (forget Astoria sunnyside etc.) but is this alternative really worth spending an extra 7-9k a year (considering NYC tax, COL, increased fed tax, PATH card, could be more depending on my SO income)? I think its aprox 110 hours more at most in a car or train a year vs commuting from UES. Thanks in advance.

[gk101]

I guess this is related to surviving biglaw at least indirectly. Is it wise to rent a condo one or two blocks away from Grove St PATH station in NJ and do a 30-40 minute (google says its 33 minutes, but is it really?) commute to Midtown East 5-7 times a week? I could cut this commute down to 15-20 minutes if I rent a condo near the 4 5 in UES (forget Astoria sunnyside etc.) but is this alternative really worth spending an extra 7-9k a year (considering NYC tax, COL, increased fed tax, PATH card, could be more depending on my SO income)? I think its aprox 110 hours more at most in a car or train a year vs commuting from UES. Thanks in advance.

you will HATE the extra commute time during particularly busy periods where you just want to get home and pass out for a couple of hours before coming back in. HOWEVER, your life in biglaw will be miserable anyways so what's a little extra misery. just save the money and quit sooner

[Anonymous User]

I guess this is related to surviving biglaw at least indirectly. Is it wise to rent a condo one or two blocks away from Grove St PATH station in NJ and do a 30-40 minute (google says its 33 minutes, but is it really?) commute to Midtown East 5-7 times a week? I could cut this commute down to 15-20 minutes if I rent a condo near the 4 5 in UES (forget Astoria sunnyside etc.) but is this alternative really worth spending an extra 7-9k a year (considering NYC tax, COL, increased fed tax, PATH card, could be more depending on my SO income)? I think its aprox 110 hours more at most in a car or train a year vs commuting from UES. Thanks in advance.

you will HATE the extra commute time during particularly busy periods where you just want to get home and pass out for a couple of hours before coming back in. HOWEVER, your life in biglaw will be miserable anyways so what's a little extra misery. just save the money and quit sooner

I used to commute around 40 minutes one way...saved a ton of money that way. Now I live a lot closer, but totally thought it was worth it. I paid off my loans way more quickly than I would have. And yeah, I was working 60-70 hours a week on average, so either way it's going to suck with or without the commute.

[Anonymous User]

I would opt for the longer commute to save money and peace out of biglaw sooner. i opted for the more expensive place with a shorter commute (paying 2200 instead of potentially1700-1800) and kind of wish i just had that extra cash and a 15-20 minute longer commute.

[Lexaholik]

I guess this is related to surviving biglaw at least indirectly. Is it wise to rent a condo one or two blocks away from Grove St PATH station in NJ and do a 30-40 minute (google says its 33 minutes, but is it really?) commute to Midtown East 5-7 times a week? I could cut this commute down to 15-20 minutes if I rent a condo near the 4 5 in UES (forget Astoria sunnyside etc.) but is this alternative really worth spending an extra 7-9k a year (considering NYC tax, COL, increased fed tax, PATH card, could be more depending on my SO income)? I think its aprox 110 hours more at most in a car or train a year vs commuting from UES. Thanks in advance.

Not as bad of an idea as it seems. You'll likely take a black car home every night, so you're really talking about the morning commute. If you want to do Biglaw long term it may make sense to spend more to live closer, but if your goal is to be in Biglaw for as little time as possible (as I did) then this isn't a bad way to go.

[hoorahray]

I would opt for the longer commute to save money and peace out of biglaw sooner. i opted for the more expensive place with a shorter commute (paying 2200 instead of potentially1700-1800) and kind of wish i just had that extra cash and a 15-20 minute longer commute.

DC? This is my conundrum right now. I'm in a $2300 place that's a 15 minute door to door commute, but considering moving out to a 35-45 minute door to door that will only(ha) be around $1700.

[Anonymous User]

I would opt for the longer commute to save money and peace out of biglaw sooner. i opted for the more expensive place with a shorter commute (paying 2200 instead of potentially1700-1800) and kind of wish i just had that extra cash and a 15-20 minute longer commute.

DC? This is my conundrum right now. I'm in a $2300 place that's a 15 minute door to door commute, but considering moving out to a 35-45 minute door to door that will only(ha) be around $1700.

yep DC. Totally feel the pain and not sure what to do. Love my 20 minute commute but paying rent every month makes me sad. Not sure what to do about it. will the place you're looking at for $1700 be an upgrade over your current place? Seems like much better value as commute into dc gets longer

[Anonymous User]

yep DC. Totally feel the pain and not sure what to do. Love my 20 minute commute but paying rent every month makes me sad. Not sure what to do about it. will the place you're looking at for $1700 be an upgrade over your current place? Seems like much better value as commute into dc gets longer

Other anon living in DC and going to SA at a firm 35mn away from where I live this summer. I am definitely planning to move closer - even if that means a likely $500 monthly rent bump - after I graduate, provided that i stay at the same firm. Commuting in D.C., especially by metro, sucks massively. I guess not everyone minds, but the constant delays/breakdowns/single-tracking/nonsense drives me nuts.

[TLSModBot]

yep DC. Totally feel the pain and not sure what to do. Love my 20 minute commute but paying rent every month makes me sad. Not sure what to do about it. will the place you're looking at for $1700 be an upgrade over your current place? Seems like much better value as commute into dc gets longer

Other anon living in DC and going to SA at a firm 35mn away from where I live this summer. I am definitely planning to move closer - even if that means a likely $500 monthly rent bump - after I graduate, provided that i stay at the same firm. Commuting in D.C., especially by metro, sucks massively. I guess not everyone minds, but the constant delays/breakdowns/single-tracking/nonsense drives me nuts.

Eh I do an hour each way and honestly only hit serious metro delays once every other month really (Red line from Shady Grove).

I'm at the extreme end - got a nice house with backyard and pay 1500/mo mortgage. But then I've got kids and a dog so it makes more sense for me.

If you're unchildrened but looking for value I can't stress Takoma Park and Silver Spring enough. Great areas, affordable, and like 20-30 min commute

[Londonbear]

yep DC. Totally feel the pain and not sure what to do. Love my 20 minute commute but paying rent every month makes me sad. Not sure what to do about it. will the place you're looking at for $1700 be an upgrade over your current place? Seems like much better value as commute into dc gets longer

Other anon living in DC and going to SA at a firm 35mn away from where I live this summer. I am definitely planning to move closer - even if that means a likely $500 monthly rent bump - after I graduate, provided that i stay at the same firm. Commuting in D.C., especially by metro, sucks massively. I guess not everyone minds, but the constant delays/breakdowns/single-tracking/nonsense drives me nuts.

I agree about DC metro. It sucks MASSIVELY and seems to get worse with time if that's even possible considering how horrible it is already.

[Anonymous User]

yep DC. Totally feel the pain and not sure what to do. Love my 20 minute commute but paying rent every month makes me sad. Not sure what to do about it. will the place you're looking at for $1700 be an upgrade over your current place? Seems like much better value as commute into dc gets longer

Other anon living in DC and going to SA at a firm 35mn away from where I live this summer. I am definitely planning to move closer - even if that means a likely $500 monthly rent bump - after I graduate, provided that i stay at the same firm. Commuting in D.C., especially by metro, sucks massively. I guess not everyone minds, but the constant delays/breakdowns/single-tracking/nonsense drives me nuts.

have you guys considered living on a line other than the red line? commute is way more reliable.

[Anonymous User]

I'm looking at going out to Dunn Loring. Seems like condos come up every so often to rent for $1600-1800 close to the metro, and orange line is more reliable than red right now.

[ballouttacontrol]

I'm looking at going out to Dunn Loring. Seems like condos come up every so often to rent for $1600-1800 close to the metro, and orange line is more reliable than red right now.

Sounds like some middle earth dwarven Minas tirith ass location

[SLQ23902]

Bumping this for some more tips.