Advice for incoming virtual associates Forum

[RustyLaw]

Since many of you have been doing big law virtually for months now, I was hoping for some advice as a 1st year about to start in a few weeks.

Any tips on how to be effective? Warnings of mistakes to avoid? Wisdom on kinks you have worked through already with the virtual transition?

Thanks!

[MrTooToo]

You have my sympathy to be coming into a law firm in the middle of a pandemic like this. My biggest advice is that you should participate in everything that you're able to--practice group virtual luncheons, meet & greets, virtual firm events, anything. It's going to be fatiguing & annoying somewhat (I presume) but you need to do as much as possible to let people get to know you and recognize you so you don't fall through the cracks. Whenever there's an opportunity to be on video rather than just phone, make sure you're on video, even if you're just a face who's not speaking (as you'll probably be a lot as an incoming associate). Be as involved as you can for the next six months as we try to get through this so that when we're back in the office (?in July?), you already have a network of people you're working with and engaging with. Don't allow yourself to get lost in the shuffle. Easier said than done, I know, but this is very important. Half the battle to succeed in biglaw as a junior is simply getting into the minds of the partners and senior associates who are staffing cases so that you become a "go to." Good luck.

[ZVBXRPL]

Great Q and advice.

[Whatislaw]

MrTooToo is quite spot-on with the advice. Making yourself useful (don't spam people everyday, but check-in weekly to see if there's something you can be of assistance with) and delivering reliable work product on everything no matter how small will help you build your reputation and become more of a "go-to" person. Be responsive to emails, calls, or videos. You have the unfortunate burden of having to go the extra-mile to build the rapport that normally comes from working in the office. To the extent you can, identify the Associates who are doing well in your practice group and see if you can form an informal mentor-mentee type relationship as some will be happy to help you adjust and get your name in front of the partners they work with.

[RustyLaw]

You have my sympathy to be coming into a law firm in the middle of a pandemic like this. My biggest advice is that you should participate in everything that you're able to--practice group virtual luncheons, meet & greets, virtual firm events, anything. It's going to be fatiguing & annoying somewhat (I presume) but you need to do as much as possible to let people get to know you and recognize you so you don't fall through the cracks. Whenever there's an opportunity to be on video rather than just phone, make sure you're on video, even if you're just a face who's not speaking (as you'll probably be a lot as an incoming associate). Be as involved as you can for the next six months as we try to get through this so that when we're back in the office (?in July?), you already have a network of people you're working with and engaging with. Don't allow yourself to get lost in the shuffle. Easier said than done, I know, but this is very important. Half the battle to succeed in biglaw as a junior is simply getting into the minds of the partners and senior associates who are staffing cases so that you become a "go to." Good luck.

Appreciate it! Thank you. I am somewhat lucky in that I am in a small group with a small incoming class of associates and have already met all the partners. I will keep all of this in mind.