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As a SA, would it be appropriate to give my mentor a gift on my last day? They've really been helpful and have taken alot of time they could have been billing to help me this summer. Thoughts? Is this inappropriate because I am obviously hoping to receive an offer?

Anonymous User wrote:As a SA, would it be appropriate to give my mentor a gift on my last day? They've really been helpful and have taken alot of time they could have been billing to help me this summer. Thoughts? Is this inappropriate because I am obviously hoping to receive an offer?

I don't think it's inappropriate necessarily, but gifts for attorneys may be a fine line for not coming across awkwardly. I think a card with a handwritten thank you inside would suffice if this person is presumably an attorney. Any inexpensive gift like a gift card may seem cheesy since this person makes likely over $200k, and anything too expensive may seem brown-nosy.

JohnnieSockran wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:As a SA, would it be appropriate to give my mentor a gift on my last day? They've really been helpful and have taken alot of time they could have been billing to help me this summer. Thoughts? Is this inappropriate because I am obviously hoping to receive an offer?

I don't think it's inappropriate necessarily, but gifts for attorneys may be a fine line for not coming across awkwardly. I think a card with a handwritten thank you inside would suffice if this person is presumably an attorney. Any inexpensive gift like a gift card may seem cheesy since this person makes likely over $200k, and anything too expensive may seem brown-nosy.

Agree with this. I'm sure they have enough mugs, pens, etc. whatever neutral trinkets you might want to get them. Thoughtful (appropriate) card would be more meaningful.

I would forever love a mentee who brought me a nice box of chocolate or some treats from a local bakery, even though it’s definitely not necessary or expected. I think that’s a nice gesture without being over the top or awkward. Also, I’m hungry.

gingerbread wrote:I would forever love a mentee who brought me a nice box of chocolate or some treats from a local bakery, even though it’s definitely not necessary or expected. I think that’s a nice gesture without being over the top or awkward. Also, I’m hungry.

This. If an SA brought me a box of donuts, I’d be grateful.

Anonymous User wrote:

gingerbread wrote:I would forever love a mentee who brought me a nice box of chocolate or some treats from a local bakery, even though it’s definitely not necessary or expected. I think that’s a nice gesture without being over the top or awkward. Also, I’m hungry.

This. If an SA brought me a box of donuts, I’d be grateful.

I brought my mentor and his practice group staff cupcakes from his/her favorite bakery on my last day of the summer. They loved them!

When I summered, I gave my secretary a Starbucks gift card on the last day (this was a common practice at my firm). With regard to attorneys, I think a thoughtful note will likely be appreciated more than a tangible gift, but something like a coffee gift card could also be appreciated, depending on the person.

Maybe this was just my experience, but I was very close to my mentor (literally checked in with me every day, organized lunches for me to meet partners, etc.) so I definitely wanted to get him a gift. I understand this isn't a normal dynamic at a lot of big firms, but I made him like a basket of baked things, wine, and a gift card (not for very much) just to show my appreciation. For another associate who was like a unofficial mentor to me, I gave her a nice bottle of wine. The summer associate for our firm last year (I wasn't her mentor but we talked every day) gave me a nice bottle of wine and thoughtful card. It's totally up to you based on your relationship with them.