How to Ask for Work Forum

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:01 pm

Without sending desperate. Career services' advice is to send an e-mail explaining our interest, and to extend a lunch invitation. That sounded good in law school but in practice (1) it sounds desperate and phony, and (2) not all partners want to have an impromptu hour lunch with a junior associate.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:08 pm

I did that back when I was a rising 2L, to get in with the firms I hadn't gotten through OCI lottery. Led to a bunch of phone conversations and a number of additional callback interviews.

jimmythecatdied6 · Post by **jimmythecatdied6** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:31 pm

Are you asking how to ask for work at your firm, or are you looking for another job?

Asking for work at your firm is as simple as having a conversation. Knock on door -> talk -> ask for work.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:36 pm

I've always just shot an email to the partner saying "I'm a little slow at the moment if you need help with anything." I'm in a small practice group with lots of associate-partner interaction, though. I'm not sure how I would approach a more distant partner.

Maybe ask a more senior associate for advice?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:34 pm

Already practicing. I get slow at times, and also find a more niche area in the same practice area more interesting. I reach out to midlevels and seniors when I'm slow, but I know some of them very well. There's degrees of separation between junior and partner that make random e-mails more random and potentially harmful (advertising that you're slow to those financially impacted by it isn't fun).

SFSpartan · Post by **SFSpartan** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:38 pm

I've typically done it by expressing an interest in the work that they do and letting them know I have bandwidth if they need help with anything. Don't see how it has to be awkward or desperate - it's a 1-2 sentence email.

tyroneslothrop1 · Post by **tyroneslothrop1** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:39 pm

I just send emails saying I have time and asking if they need help.

BaiAilian2013 · Post by **BaiAilian2013** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:07 am

I would knock on doors. I've only had to do it twice, but both times it has yielded cool assignments. Now juniors sometimes do it to me, and I usually have something I can peel off and hand out. I prefer the knock on door method there too.

lurklaw · Post by **lurklaw** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:17 am

Partner/Senior Associate,

Now that [xyz deal closed/abc case settled], I have more time to work on new matters. If there is anything I can do to assist on any of your [deals/cases], please let me know.

Best regards,

Junior Associate

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