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I am a first year with a top firm in a large, general practice group (think litigation or corporate). For whatever reason, the lion's share of my work has been coming from niche practice area that my firm includes under the umbrella of my general practice area. The combination of these practice areas is an unusual arrangement and I am not aware of any other firm that is structured this way.

I am frustrated because I don't like the work. Even if I did, the work is not a good fit for me (primarily because it requires non-legal expertise I do not have). Further exacerbating my frustration is the fact that none of my fellow first years have received any of work from this practice area. In fact, they seem to be receiving great experience doing the type of work one would expect in our practice area. My feelings regarding the opportunity cost as well as the perceived unfairness are becoming disconcerting, but I am fearful about rocking-the-boat so early in my career.

Has anyone experienced this before? Any advice?

Thanks!

Set up a meeting with whoever it is whose job is to make associate's lives not quite as miserable (probably someone in HR). Tell that person what has happened and what kind of work you are looking for. Make sure to indicate that you are happy to help out with whatever is needed but are hoping to move towards whatever work it is you aren't currently doing.

Also ask 2nd and 3rd year associates who you trust what they recommend.

^ good advice but: 1) I would go to an associate mentor before going through any official or semi-official channels. 2) Assuming you are a first year as in, you started approx 2 months ago, maybe slow your roll; this kind of thing happens just due to workflow sometimes. If it's been 6, 9 months and it's still an issue then yeah, discuss.

Give it at least 6 months. Going to HR and complaining after 2 months is bad. Do you have an assignment coordinator? If so, let them know that you are interested in doing XYZ work (where XYZ work is anything but the work you are currently doing).

im not sure what you were expecting but a year really isnt that much time. you cant assume youre going to be working in the same area indefinitely based on such a small sample size.

I'd just like to add that you shouldn't use "opportunity cost," the way that you did.

lacrossebrother wrote:I'd just like to add that you shouldn't use "opportunity cost," the way that you did.

+1. Opportunity cost assumes you have some choice between options. But here, you're just taking the work you're given.

Laxbro, I'd also like to add you shouldn't use the comma the way that you did after "cost."

Start applying to non-firm jobs now.

wwwcol wrote: Laxbro, I'd also like to add you shouldn't use the comma the way that you did after "cost."

I am sorry.

lacrossebrother wrote:

wwwcol wrote: Laxbro, I'd also like to add you shouldn't use the comma the way that you did after "cost."

I am sorry.

lol

lacrossebrother wrote:

wwwcol wrote: Laxbro, I'd also like to add you shouldn't use the comma the way that you did after "cost."

I am sorry.

lol


eta: no idea why top one went anon

lacrossebrother wrote:

wwwcol wrote: Laxbro, I'd also like to add you shouldn't use the comma the way that you did after "cost."

I am sorry.

Thank you. On behalf of grammar nazis everywhere, I accept your apology.

I'm unaware of any firms that are both generalist and run things purely through a central staffing person. Going on that assumption, if your firm is free market or accommodates associates who seek out work from partners, you should probably find the people who do the work you want to do and reach out. To the extent you keep getting staffed on these niche things you may just have to put in extra hours for a while but I would think they would slowly come to you less and less as your time is filled with other things.

If you do everything through a staffing coordinator then give it more time but you have to eventually say something if nothing changes.

Just do the work. You don't want to be that person who complained that they didn't find first year assignments stimulating.