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Signs you're doing badly in BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:01 pm
by joanneofarc
1st year here. In general, I get little or no feedback on the work I hand in. How do I know if I'm doing well? Doing badly? How do you guys read the tea leaves?
Re: Signs you're doing badly in BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:21 pm
by unlicensedpotato
First year or stub? You'll start getting more unsolicited feedback but I've also heard people say to ask how they did on a large assignment immediately after they've wrapped it up.
Assuming you aren't on a cravath-style rotation, you'll know you're doing good enough if you keep getting work.
From my experiences as a junior, the partner won't necessarily notice much of a difference on an assignment that I think I did poorly versus one I think I knocked out of the park. Only rarely will you have the chance to really shine or really flop.
Re: Signs you're doing badly in BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:29 pm
by joanneofarc
Stub year.
Re: Signs you're doing badly in BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:32 pm
by jd20132013
as a stub year if you give enough of a shit to ask this question and not blowing deadlines you're definitely doing fine
Re: Signs you're doing badly in BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:33 pm
by Anonymous User
If you're not hearing any feedback but still receiving work from that same partner/senior associate, you're doing fine.
If you're not hearing any feedback and have stopped receiving work from that partner/senior associate (assuming they are decently busy), you were probably bad and they wanted to find a different junior.
If the partner/senior associate asked you to redo some of your assignments, they were probably bad.
If you have stopped receiving work from everyone, then you're doing really bad.
Just my 2 cents.
Re: Signs you're doing badly in BigLaw?
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 11:03 pm
by unlicensedpotato
Yeah no one's going to give any feedback on your work as a stub, just show effort and have a good attitude.
In some sense, the main risk you have to look bad as a stub is if you're bugging people for work and/or feedback.
Re: Signs you're doing badly in BigLaw?
Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:34 am
by jkpolk
Life is human relationships. Find a 1st/2nd year in your practice group. Go out to drinks. Get to know them. Ask them about life. Do that a lot. Find out what works for you.