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I'll try to keep this short and sweet. I'm using concrete grad./class years here for clarity, but they may be off +/- 1-2 years for anonymity.

I'm class of 2012 working in midlaw (~100 attys; ~$115-140K). I'm compensated and billed out as a third year, and I'm a second year for partnership consideration. Really like my work and I'm learning a ton. I joined the firm in the middle of this year.

My first 1-1.5 years out of law school I did work completely unrelated to my current practice. So I feel like a second year in a third year's clothing. Does that make sense?

I'm considering asking to "repeat" my third year (pay me and bill me out as a third year) for the sake of my development. As a third-year I'm not too expensive and can be staffed on a variety of projects. Another year would give me more time to develop and further integrate into the firm. It would also marry my partnership/class years.

Would I come off as a complete lunatic if I requested this? It makes total sense in my head. I don't care about the meager raise from 3rd to 4th year, and I think I could really use the extra seasoning considering I'm 1) relatively new to the practice area and 2) a lateral. The negative for the firm of course, is that I'm probably more profitable at a higher billing rate.

Please advise. I'd ask that you not quote this post so I can delete it later.

I have no experience with this, but my instinct is that all it accomplishes is telegraph a lack of confidence in your abilities. What you're proposing doesn't benefit the firm, and it only benefits you to the extent people will think of you by the fictional class year despite knowing you're actually class of 2012 (or whatever).

Anonymous User wrote:I'll try to keep this short and sweet. I'm using concrete grad./class years here for clarity, but they may be off +/- 1-2 years for anonymity.

I'm class of 2012 working in midlaw (~100 attys; ~$115-140K). I'm compensated and billed out as a third year, and I'm a second year for partnership consideration. Really like my work and I'm learning a ton. I joined the firm in the middle of this year.

My first 1-1.5 years out of law school I did work completely unrelated to my current practice. So I feel like a second year in a third year's clothing. Does that make sense?

I'm considering asking to "repeat" my third year (pay me and bill me out as a third year) for the sake of my development. As a third-year I'm not too expensive and can be staffed on a variety of projects. Another year would give me more time to develop and further integrate into the firm. It would also marry my partnership/class years.

Would I come off as a complete lunatic if I requested this? It makes total sense in my head. I don't care about the meager raise from 3rd to 4th year, and I think I could really use the extra seasoning considering I'm 1) relatively new to the practice area and 2) a lateral. The negative for the firm of course, is that I'm probably more profitable at a higher billing rate.

Please advise. I'd ask that you not quote this post so I can delete it later.

I agree with the previous poster. If you're generally managing yourself pretty well don't do it. I'm sure you'll be fine and you're underestimating your abilities. As a senior associate once told me, you want to be in a position where you're learning and challenging yourself continuously and I don't think being held back one year accomplishes this goal. If you move out of the firm, you'll have one year without (at least substantial) increased responsibilities in your resume.

Also, I don't think you are considering the firm's perspective enough. Yes they will bump your salary marginally, but their increased fees for your work will more than make up for this difference. Also, a second year associate may be blocked from certain work b/c clients pull the "i dont want to pay for training/no 1st/2nd years on this project" card.

also most people won't keep track of your class year, or if you tell them you were held back they'll forget. they generally know if people are junior/mid/senior and they know how good they are so they'll staff accordingly. so when a deals comes in and they staff it , its not like "no we need a 2013 associate on this, NOT a 2014 associate" its more like "yea [insert name of associate] can probably handle this, lets staff him as he just closed a deal." so you don't gain anything by doing this as no one will treat you differently. most likely everyone you work with knows what you can and cant handle and will staff you accordingly. titles are meaningless

At Cravath, your third corporate rotation will be something you haven't done before. So you are at least three full years in, starting from scratch more or less, and have the responsibilities of a midlevel (and getting billed as one). If you do London, you could leave m&a or banking till fourth rotation for the first time you do it.

It's a steep learning curve, but you can do it.

I don't think you are crazy for considering it, but don't do it.

I've only seen this successfully done at the time of transition from practice groups or when you change firms.

You're suffering from Imposter Syndrome. You're fine. Just do good work, navigate the politics well, and if you want to change firms later, you can ask for this and gain more time. Your partners already know your skillset, as others mentioned above, and if they think you're too expensive, you'll know by how they do or do not staff you.

Have confidence. Half of what very new juniors learn is how to navigate the firm and deal with clients. You know more than you think!