Pretty Sure I've Pissed Off a Senior Associate Forum

[Anonymous User]

Conversation and possible apology, obviously; but, not sure what else I should do.

I'm a junior Biglaw associate; bill ~2400/yr; 75-80% of my work comes from one particular senior associate ("X"). As X has been training me, X made pretty clear that X wants to know what other assignments I've been tasked with. I've proceeded always to (I felt) respond immediately and enthusiastically with a "yes" and a list of other projects X or others have assigned to me - both as a reminder, and as a pulse check in case another junior associate is not getting sufficient hours. As a Junior, I fully recognize partnership is a LONG way off; however, given my background and skillset, I believe X's specialty is my most likely path to get there. I've communicated this desire to X as well as my perceived need to work with many different associates and partners to develop a breadth of experience and knowledge. And, I regularly accept work from others in order to advance my learning. As a result, sometimes my list of other projects can be lengthy.

Recently, my work has been drying up from X. I also have been asked by managing partner to transition away from X's work and into two partners' work. I'm excited for the opportunity and definitely feel like the experience will fill in some of my skill gaps; however, I feel like there are hurt feelings I need to assuage -- possibly my exodus from X is from X's request because of a perceived lack of desire to continue working for X because I'm detailing other obligations.

So, what say you? We are a small enough group that a conversation is necessary to mitigate any potential misunderstanding, but I haven't dealt with "hurt feelings" in a long time. Maybe I'm just overthinking it and my junior paranoia is coming out.

[Pokemon]

Feelings have been hurt and an apology might not be enough. Consider taking X to dinner or, even better, a fun mini-vacation.

[Fed_Atty]

a fun mini-vacation.

Not Reddit, but if it was, have an upvote!

[Anonymous User]

I mean, you've said three paragraphs and there's not a single fact in there that would suggest that you somehow pissed off X. It is far more likely that you were working directly for X when you were junior and now that you are slightly more senior you find yourself working for partners and less for X. It happens - I've found myself cite checking a brief for a senior associate and then six months later being told to write a brief on a matter that senior is on because of cost concerns.

As a midlevel associate the only thing I care about regarding a junior's workload is whether they are properly managing it so as not to (1) burn themselves out when other people in the dept have capacity, (2) be unavailable when I need them to do something. Their professional development is the partners' concern not mine. Do not read too much into this.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the laugh (re: mini vacation) and reassurance. Both were needed and appreciated

[Johann]

you are being a lawyer and way overthinking this. stop by senior associates office to shoot the shit and then just say yeah hopefully something like X deal comes along again or X case gets hot again.

[nextstep2016]

I'm not sure I follow (I'm not seeing where X actually indicated he was pissed off...I think you're overanalyzing and probably overestimating your importance to X) but I think it's inevitable that you'll piss a few people off. how senior are you? Esp when you're in your first few years you should work with as many people as possible so I think it's good that you're working with more people. Just be polite and sociable when you see X and (if there is even an issue) I'm sure it will blow over.

[Gators]

Or X is leaving the firm....