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I work for a very small corporate and securities firm (NYC). There are two partners and three associates(including me). I have been working here for two weeks now and there is no formal training.

I am just giving various corporate drafting assignments with no template to follow or guide on what provisions to incorporate. Due to this lack of training, it takes me longer to complete assignments because I'm googling and checking Westlaw.

This is my first job out of law. I plan on moving to a better firm and I want to be competent and knowledgable about corporate and securities law.

How do I learn the ins and outs of this practice area on my own?

Two weeks is nothing. The training happens when you take a crack at drafting then looking at how the partner revises. Give it a shot. I learned the most during my time at a boutique before i moved to biglaw.

Things will slowly come together usually after 6 months. It's totally understandable that you will be a little clueless. I would say learn quickly how to look for specific forms, etc. from your firm's database, and when one of the partner's complete's one of your assignments run a redline to see why they changed something. It'll help, I wouldn't stress too much about it.

Your best bets for precedents for corporate documents are not google or westlaw--it's your firm's own servers, and also PLC (which is available through Westlaw). Talk to the associates and ask them where they pull boilerplate or if they can guide you toward a similar deal.

It's common not to have formal training in corporate, but you do need some training so you're not going on a wild goose chase.

OP here.

The firm is Mintz Fraade by the way. I am desperate for work.