What to expect during the first week as a first-year? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I start working at a big law firm in a couple of weeks. Are we given assignments during the first week or would the first week be about orientation only? What should I expect for the first few weeks? I have no SA experience so I'm kinda anxious...Thanks for your help.

[beepboopbeep]

It's going to differ firm to firm and office to office, and honestly, matter to matter depending on your first assignment. But typically a lot of orientations. Pretty much the entire first week was orientation at my first firm, and late in the week we got assigned to our first matter. Most of us took a while to ramp up. A few people who got staffed on very busy matters were busy right away. Orientations/trainings continue through week 2 at a lower pace.

Totally different for new associates at my second firm, who have very little orientation and get their first matters in the afternoon of the first day and are doing actual work pretty much right off the bat.

[hengha12]

have to bump this for a poor S&C first year

[Anonymous User]

have to bump this for a poor S&C first year

How so?

[Hakki]

To the extent you do get any work - nobody's looking for you to know anything about what you're doing, just be reliable if you are given specific tasks.

[Moneytrees]

I start working at a big law firm in a couple of weeks. Are we given assignments during the first week or would the first week be about orientation only? What should I expect for the first few weeks? I have no SA experience so I'm kinda anxious...Thanks for your help.

You might get work right off the bat, but you may also have a fairly long ramp up period before you get really busy. Enjoy it while you can.