Piece of Professional Advice Forum

[Anonymous User]

Just a quick question. I have my own answers, but just want to get others thoughts.

First, I start a X firm in January following my clerkship. It is very open market. Like extremely so. Is it too early to start emailing partners just introducing myself and saying I look forward to working with them? Or should I even do that at all? Or simply wait till I onboard, and then start reaching out? Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Just introduce yourself and ask people to coffee after you start imo.

[PaperView]

T

Just introduce yourself and ask people to coffee after you start imo.

The poor wording here makes the timing of this ambiguous.

After you start, then introduce yourself and ask people to coffee. If a first year tried to line up work with me before their start date I'd think they were clueless about how biglaw works or neurotic to the point of being annoying. You're not going to starve for work if you do what the remainder of people starting will do which is be reasonable and wait until after they start to seek work.

[Anonymous User]

I actually disagree with the above, but I would target it to 2-3 partners max who you are interested in working with / establishing a relationship with, and put out gentle feelers. Don't mention work, just stroke egos and say you're looking forward to meeting.

[Gatriel]

T

Just introduce yourself and ask people to coffee after you start imo.

The poor wording here makes the timing of this ambiguous.

After you start, then introduce yourself and ask people to coffee. If a first year tried to line up work with me before their start date I'd think they were clueless about how biglaw works or neurotic to the point of being annoying. You're not going to starve for work if you do what the remainder of people starting will do which is be reasonable and wait until after they start to seek work.

Unironically this. Partners get dozens - hundreds of emails per day. Don't clutter it more/engage in Outlook terrorism.

If you start in January 2024 - go out and do normal people things while you still can.

[gregfootball2001]

T

Just introduce yourself and ask people to coffee after you start imo.

The poor wording here makes the timing of this ambiguous.

After you start, then introduce yourself and ask people to coffee. If a first year tried to line up work with me before their start date I'd think they were clueless about how biglaw works or neurotic to the point of being annoying. You're not going to starve for work if you do what the remainder of people starting will do which is be reasonable and wait until after they start to seek work.

Unironically this. Partners get dozens - hundreds of emails per day. Don't clutter it more/engage in Outlook terrorism.

If you start in January 2024 - go out and do normal people things while you still can.

Agreed. There is literally no work that could be held until then, and they'll get plenty of notice before your start date, so there's nothing to gain here (and potentially something to lose if you're seen as neurotic as someone mentioned above). Just relax.

[Fattylaw]

T

Just introduce yourself and ask people to coffee after you start imo.

The poor wording here makes the timing of this ambiguous.

After you start, then introduce yourself and ask people to coffee. If a first year tried to line up work with me before their start date I'd think they were clueless about how biglaw works or neurotic to the point of being annoying. You're not going to starve for work if you do what the remainder of people starting will do which is be reasonable and wait until after they start to seek work.

Unironically this. Partners get dozens - hundreds of emails per day. Don't clutter it more/engage in Outlook terrorism.

If you start in January 2024 - go out and do normal people things while you still can.

Agreed. There is literally no work that could be held until then, and they'll get plenty of notice before your start date, so there's nothing to gain here (and potentially something to lose if you're seen as neurotic as someone mentioned above). Just relax.

"If you start in January 2024 - go out and do normal people things while you still can."

Wow. So this is what the guy just starting off can look forward to.

[Gatriel]

Yes.

[gregfootball2001]

Yes.

Yes.

[Anonymous User]

You're not starting for 7 months. This is wayyyyyy too early. If you want to reach out before you start, you could email people in November/December.