Who do I talk to at my law firm—miserable. Forum

[Anonymous User]

Who should I talk to at my law firm if I am truly miserable. I’ve made two major mistakes (missed filing deadlines) in as many weeks, which has amplified my anxiety and basically meant I’ve had a panic attack every day. Last night my panic attack was so bad I almost ended up in the hospital. I’m so depressed that I’m probably going to move back in with my mom and dad for at least a few weeks just to have a stronger support system. I finally realize I need to speak with my firm, but I have no idea who I would even speak with. Because of Covid I have yet to develop strong relationships with anyone who is not in my associate class. Please help.

[Anonymous User]

I am going through the same thing. Mental health issues to the point I am worried it could impact my work. Impossible to keep therapy appointments. Try to book in the early AM and they’re virtual but still cancel. I don’t know who to talk to either but I am trying to figure out for myself. I just wanted to tell you that you aren’t alone.

[jotarokujo]

Who should I talk to at my law firm if I am truly miserable. I’ve made two major mistakes (missed filing deadlines) in as many weeks, which has amplified my anxiety and basically meant I’ve had a panic attack every day. Last night my panic attack was so bad I almost ended up in the hospital. I’m so depressed that I’m probably going to move back in with my mom and dad for at least a few weeks just to have a stronger support system. I finally realize I need to speak with my firm, but I have no idea who I would even speak with. Because of Covid I have yet to develop strong relationships with anyone who is not in my associate class. Please help.

talk to HR and obtain mental health leave. take at least a week. you will not be retaliated against other than maybe a minor hit to partnership prospects depending on your class year

[Anonymous User]

I’m a first year six months in. We don’t have an HR department — I am in a satellite office of a NY firm in Texas.

[Anonymous User]

Moving in with parents seems like a good idea. Even help on day to day chores and tasks can alleviate a lot of stress as you may be slower to finish your work in this state and need more time.

If impacting work to the point you can't do it or are missing deadlines (or obviously if having life threatening symptoms), I'd ask for a couple weeks vacation (literally starting tomorrow or next Monday or whatever). Up to you if you want to say vague medical reasons or be honest that you need to destress (doubt you need to go into the details of your mental state - people will get it).

Use that two weeks to see if you can recover but at the same time get the process started with a medical professional to see if they will write you a letter for leave (they will). You are entitled by law to unpaid (10 weeks?) leave without losing your job and many firms have paid leave / insurance to cover your payroll. If you are with a large firm, I think you'll be surprised how well some firms handle this sort of thing. People obviously don't want your health to be impacted but if you are internalizing the stress of the job to this extent, it shows that you are dedicated and care about the work (and probably too much so). Good to work with mental health but also follow up with other doctors - sometimes these things can be caused by underlying health issues that flair - not uncommon under new levels of stress.

But if you ask for leave, don't ask for just a week or something like that. I would keep it open ended that you may need several weeks or more but will let them know as soon as you are ready to return to work.

For whoever said they are in a satellite office, there will be someone in NY who will handle. Two approaches, figure out who that person is and then discuss with them to get medical leave in place before you talk to partners. But I would suggest letting a partner know and then they will connect you with a HR person and tell you to take the time you need. Then all they will probably want to know would be your expected return date.

[CanadianWolf]

Are you in your first 6 months of practice, employed by a satellite office of a biglaw firm, in litigation, and have missed two filing deadlines in two weeks ?

(I assume that the pleadings were filed in a timely manner by another attorney in your firm.)

If correct, then someone in your office should be speaking to you.

Missing filing deadlines & suffering repeated panic attacks indicates that you need to take an immediate leave of absence in order to rest while undergoing counseling.

[Anonymous User]

Are you in your first 6 months of practice, employed by a satellite office of a biglaw firm, in litigation, and have missed two filing deadlines in two weeks ?

(I assume that the pleadings were filed in a timely manner by another attorney in your firm.)

If correct, then someone in your office should be speaking to you.

Missing filing deadlines & suffering repeated panic attacks indicates that you need to take an immediate leave of absence in order to rest while undergoing counseling.

Unfortunately neither mistake was caught. The first one was pretty easily fixed, the second one is going to be a much bigger issue. I honestly hope they let me go at this point. I have over seven months of mortgage payments + living expenses in my savings and my rent paying roommate is moving in with me in August.

[papermateflair]

I assume even if you don't have an HR person IN your office in Texas, you still have someone in charge of HR for your firm (it would be very unusual for a firm big enough for a satellite office to not have HR). Call that person. Email your assistant tomorrow for the HR contact if you can't find it or don't know. HR can connect you with resources and let you know what your leave options are.

[codywtf]

Feel free to PM me. Was in a similar situation and made it through. Rooting for you!!

[Buglaw]

Are you in your first 6 months of practice, employed by a satellite office of a biglaw firm, in litigation, and have missed two filing deadlines in two weeks ?

(I assume that the pleadings were filed in a timely manner by another attorney in your firm.)

If correct, then someone in your office should be speaking to you.

Missing filing deadlines & suffering repeated panic attacks indicates that you need to take an immediate leave of absence in order to rest while undergoing counseling.

Unfortunately neither mistake was caught. The first one was pretty easily fixed, the second one is going to be a much bigger issue. I honestly hope they let me go at this point. I have over seven months of mortgage payments + living expenses in my savings and my rent paying roommate is moving in with me in August.

Agree on the leave of absence. I have an honest question, though. Is it normal to expect someone 6 months in to remember filing deadlines and file things by themselves? I am not a litigation associate, but I don't expect my first years to remember or do anything correctly (and I am rarely disappointed). Can a litigation person chime in as to whether this really is a big mistake by a first year, or poor supervision.

[Anonymous User]

Are you in your first 6 months of practice, employed by a satellite office of a biglaw firm, in litigation, and have missed two filing deadlines in two weeks ?

(I assume that the pleadings were filed in a timely manner by another attorney in your firm.)

If correct, then someone in your office should be speaking to you.

Missing filing deadlines & suffering repeated panic attacks indicates that you need to take an immediate leave of absence in order to rest while undergoing counseling.

Unfortunately neither mistake was caught. The first one was pretty easily fixed, the second one is going to be a much bigger issue. I honestly hope they let me go at this point. I have over seven months of mortgage payments + living expenses in my savings and my rent paying roommate is moving in with me in August.

Agree on the leave of absence. I have an honest question, though. Is it normal to expect someone 6 months in to remember filing deadlines and file things by themselves? I am not a litigation associate, but I don't expect my first years to remember or do anything correctly (and I am rarely disappointed). Can a litigation person chime in as to whether this really is a big mistake by a first year, or poor supervision.

It's poor supervision but it is typically the responsibility of the junior-most person to keep track of filing deadlines and ensure they end up on the calendars of people up the chain. It's one thing if no one asked about the deadline and it went by (bad supervision) or if the junior miscalculated the deadline (still probably subpar supervision but a lot less excusable). Lit major market midlevel.

OP take leave. If you're having panic attacks, it's worth it. Sort of no matter what. But rest assured that no matter how upset a senior attorney is over this or even if you feel it was your responsibility--the buck stops up the chain.