How close are you to your big law peers? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm wondering how close knit practice groups are. Is it likely that most people are good friends with members in the same starting class/group? Do y'all hang out outside of work?

[Anonymous User]

What is outside of work?

Seriously tho, I try not to make my work friends my real friends. I think it's healthier to have a separate life to the extent possible. YMMV. I'm friendly enough at work or in work settings.

[Anonymous User]

There's a few of my peers that I'll hang out with every now and then outside of work for parties, happy hours, brunch, etc., but it's not that often and only a few of them.

I get the sense this varies a lot by firm. I have friends at other firms who are best friends with their peers.

[Anonymous User]

Midlevel at V50 in a secondary market. My law firm peers who I summered with are some of my closest friends in the city. Socially, I see them on average two or three times a month outside of work, even the batch who have left the firm but are still in the city. This seems to be the norm at my firm as I see groups of friends in each class year who I know hang out socially. I recommend befriending your colleagues. It certainly makes work more enjoyable.

[Anonymous User]

I had a really tight crew (like similar to college friend group dynamics) that got all exploded by an office romance and sexual drama when we were all midlevels and it never recovered. Now it’s awkward and we never hang out. Kinda blows. Folks shouldn’t dip pens in company ink. Used to be like a friend hangout every day and now it’s very much strictly a workplace where certain people avoid others in the elevator.

[Anonymous User]

I had a really tight crew (like similar to college friend group dynamics) that got all exploded by an office romance and sexual drama when we were all midlevels and it never recovered. Now it’s awkward and we never hang out. Kinda blows. Folks shouldn’t dip pens in company ink. Used to be like a friend hangout every day and now it’s very much strictly a workplace where certain people avoid others in the elevator.

That's rough, but also, one of the reasons they warn against any romance at law firms. Any details of this story so we can enjoy the drama?

At my firm, it's a mixed bag. Apparently some even go on vacation together. I also know there is a group message with most of the midlevels and seniors where they gossip about other associates. I also know some who completely keep to themselves and don't even have lunch together at the firm.

I tried (when I still went to the office) at least go to lunch/coffee breaks with others. Since WFH I've gone completely off the map in terms of social contact. I think stories like the above just make it too dicey to engage in deep friendships. Any kind of drama and it could make it all super awkward. Especially these days, where everything can be deemed controversial, I'd rather just have a basic relationship.