Using a Nickname Professionally? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi folks,

I've been hemming and hawing about whether to use the shortened version of my given name (Alex) or the nickname many of my friends and family call me (Sandy) during my 2L SA this summer. On the one hand, Alex just sounds more professional and "grown-up" to me (particularly in client-facing settings), and I've already introduced myself as Alex to a number of attorneys, recruiters, etc. from the firm, including some I've had repeated interactions with (which would seem to be a "switching cost" if I decide to go with Sandy). That said, especially with my fellow summers, Sandy feels more natural and approachable, and if my colleagues are going to be interacting with my other friends from college, law school, etc., plenty of people are going to be calling me Sandy, which could get confusing.

I know there are definitely attorneys/professionals out there, including in Biglaw, who go by all kinds of nicknames, including this one. Anyone have any advice on how I should navigate this?

Thanks for any/all advice!

[tyroneslothrop1]

I go by Shredder, or Thor, depending on the day, so I don't see Sandy being an issue.

[mori2015]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

[encore1101]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

Yeaaaaah, I don't think you can compare what a COO can get away with versus what a SA can get away with.

accidental anon

[Nammertat]

(1) Go by whatever name you feel most comfortable with. That should literally be the only factor in this regard. I know many people at my firm that go by other names. It's seriously not a big deal.

(2) Don't have different names to different people. Choose whichever one you want, but have it be universal. You're in a spot now that it's easy to explain that you actually go by "Sandy" but for the application process you used your "given name." If you wait until after your summer to make a change, it'll get super confusing and awkward.

(3) I disagree that one of those names sounds more professional/grown-up than the other. Nobody will care either way; the quality of your work product is what will carry you. (If anything, using Sandy avoids you being called Mr. XYZ in an email.)

(4) Whichever you decide, make sure you let the recruiting coordinator know if that's not the name they're used to. Otherwise your email address, outlook tags, name plate on your door, etc. will all be messed up.

[mori2015]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

Yeaaaaah, I don't think you can compare what a COO can get away with versus what a SA can get away with.

accidental anon

yeaaaaa... except that he didnt start as a COO

[encore1101]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

Yeaaaaah, I don't think you can compare what a COO can get away with versus what a SA can get away with.

accidental anon

yeaaaaa... except that he didnt start as a COO

Then maybe you should make that clear.

[mori2015]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

Yeaaaaah, I don't think you can compare what a COO can get away with versus what a SA can get away with.

accidental anon

yeaaaaa... except that he didnt start as a COO

Then maybe you should make that clear.

haha my bad, I thought you might be able to logically deduce that since most people do not start their careers as c-level execs

[Actus Reus]

Don't worry about client facing settings. That won't ever happen.

[encore1101]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

haha my bad, I thought you might be able to logically deduce that since most people do not start their careers as c-level execs

I don't see where you stated that your friend's dad used this nickname when he started his career. All I see is he was a COO, and he went by Sandy. Nothing about he used that nickname when he was first hired, or when he started using that nickname.

You may be surprised at this, but people can switch employers. He could have been hired to be the new COO after decades of experience in the field.
Not everyone keeps tabs on your friend's dad, so you saying "This COO I know had a nickname, so you should be fine to do it as a SA" is only marginally applicable.

[mori2015]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

haha my bad, I thought you might be able to logically deduce that since most people do not start their careers as c-level execs

I don't see where you stated that your friend's dad used this nickname when he started. All I see is he was a COO, and he went by Sandy. Nothing about he used that nickname when he was first hired.

Alright man I was just trying to relay an anecdote to OP about a very successful person who goes by the exact nickname in question. I would not have posted in the legal employment forum otherwise.

I think that one could deduce that if somebody uses a nickname, they have used it for a long time. I doubt there are many people that would start using a nickname only once they achieve a certain rank in a professional setting. Additionally, at a well-established and relatively old company like Coca-Cola, you could probably assume that this person didn't start their career in the c-suite of this company. Whether they were an outside hire from a different company wouldn't really matter because they would have had to achieve a certain level of success before reaching the c-suite anyways. Therefore I think that you could safely assume he has gone by Sandy for his whole career and it hasn't hindered his success.

[Aeon]

Use whichever name you prefer, but as one of the posters above said, once you settle on a name, it's best to use it uniformly in professional settings to avoid confusion.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Full disclosure: 0L so I cant speak much to the legal field

but I had a friend whose dad was the COO of a very large company (Coca Cola) and he went by Sandy (His real name was James Alexander). So I don't think that it would be too much of a detriment professionally as long as you maintained your professionalism in the work place

haha my bad, I thought you might be able to logically deduce that since most people do not start their careers as c-level execs

I don't see where you stated that your friend's dad used this nickname when he started. All I see is he was a COO, and he went by Sandy. Nothing about he used that nickname when he was first hired.

Alright man I was just trying to relay an anecdote to OP about a very successful person who goes by the exact nickname in question. I would not have posted in the legal employment forum otherwise.

I think that one could deduce that if somebody uses a nickname, they have used it for a long time. I doubt there are many people that would start using a nickname only once they achieve a certain rank in a professional setting. Additionally, at a well-established and relatively old company like Coca-Cola, you could probably assume that this person didn't start their career in the c-suite of this company. Whether they were an outside hire from a different company wouldn't really matter because they would have had to achieve a certain level of success before reaching the c-suite anyways. Therefore I think that you could safely assume he has gone by Sandy for his whole career and it hasn't hindered his success.

This debate would have been avoided if 0Ls realized they're not supposed to answer questions in this forum without some kind of experience in the profession at issue.

[encore1101]

Alright man I was just trying to relay an anecdote to OP about a very successful person who goes by the exact nickname in question. I would not have posted in the legal employment forum otherwise.

I think that one could deduce that if somebody uses a nickname, they have used it for a long time. I doubt there are many people that would start using a nickname only once they achieve a certain rank in a professional setting. Additionally, at a well-established and relatively old company like Coca-Cola, you could probably assume that this person didn't start their career in the c-suite of this company. Whether they were an outside hire from a different company wouldn't really matter because they would have had to achieve a certain level of success before reaching the c-suite anyways. Therefore I think that you could safely assume he has gone by Sandy for his whole career and it hasn't hindered his success.

Rule number 1 about lawyering: arguing with a lawyer is like mud wrestling with a pig. After the first few hours, you realize they just enjoy it.
Peace, friend.

[mori2015]

Alright man I was just trying to relay an anecdote to OP about a very successful person who goes by the exact nickname in question. I would not have posted in the legal employment forum otherwise.

I think that one could deduce that if somebody uses a nickname, they have used it for a long time. I doubt there are many people that would start using a nickname only once they achieve a certain rank in a professional setting. Additionally, at a well-established and relatively old company like Coca-Cola, you could probably assume that this person didn't start their career in the c-suite of this company. Whether they were an outside hire from a different company wouldn't really matter because they would have had to achieve a certain level of success before reaching the c-suite anyways. Therefore I think that you could safely assume he has gone by Sandy for his whole career and it hasn't hindered his success.

Rule number 1 about lawyering: arguing with a lawyer is like mud wrestling with a pig. After the first few hours, you realize they just enjoy it.
Peace, friend.

cheers

[Clearly]

That might have been the pettiest argument I've ever witnessed here.

[2015_Splitter]

Not only was that petty, but the 0L was 100% right and the guy was just being a dick because he was shown up by a 0L. Incredible.

[TheHill5]

My name is Bartholomew Jasper Redding Hampton VI.

Individuals at my law firm called me 'Bart' when I first began my time employed as an Associate at the Greenwich location. I was not pleased. The point is, I prefer the nickname 'BJ.' I prefer this nickname to Bart because it 1. It sounds flamboyant and 2. It is prestigious.

I like BJ.

[encore1101]

Not only was that petty, but the 0L was 100% right and the guy was just being a dick because he was shown up by a 0L. Incredible.

Actually, I was being a dick just to be a dick. Any dicking that occurred was independent of what mori said. But I'm glad you found my dickery incredible.

[bobbyflayed]

This is the most lawyer discussion. You want to be part of the in-crowd. Nicknames are a good thing.

I wouldn't lead with "Sandy." Just tell your SA co-workers to call you Sandy. Introduce yourself to partners and associates as your given name. Eventually, those that get to know you will call you Sandy. A nickname is endearing. Biglaw professionals are people too. Many of them are bros. Bros use nicknames amongst their friends.

They will probably not use your nickname with clients, but I dont think it is negative in any way for people close to you to use a nickname. When I worked in b2b sales, my boss always said to me "the second you hear them say fuck or shit you own them." He was essentially conveying that breaking professional decorum means that people are starting to like you/feel comfortable with you. The nickname is the same thing. You want these people to be your friends. Friends protect their own. The people that don't get protected are the ones that put their heads down and don't try and connect with partners on a personal level.

It's much harder to get fired when you are also the associate/partner's golf buddy or they feel like you're normal enough to sit in a client meeting. MAKE FRIENDS, WORK HARD.

[didntretake]

Maybe someone mentioned this already but there is some evidence out there that using a nickname is beneficial to a man's overall career and detrimental for a woman's. I'm not going to cite any of it but you can Google it if you're interested.

[Pokemon]

You can use a nickname. No one will find it weird or unprofessional or think twice about it.

[fauxpsych]

Worked for Sandy Cohen.

[Anonymous User]

I know of a global managing partner of a V100 firm who goes by Sandy. You are thinking too much into this.

[El Pollito]

i'd go with the normal name instead of a childhood nickname that has no relation to your given name just because it's fucking weird to ask people to call you your childhood nickname, but no one is going to care if you must do you