Big Law

How to retool from litigation to transactional work as a first year who realized too late they hate litigation when my firm isn’t looking for more transactional juniors?

Thoughts on Orrick’s litigation group and exposure to substantive opportunities for a mid-level.

How would you articulate wanting to be promoted to counsel versus partnership?

I’m a first year in structured finance and want to switch groups (to another type of finance), but my firm won’t let me. Any advice on how to lateral?

Is it weird to want to job hop just to see what other places are like? I’ll never understand people who stay at one place for like 15 years. Life is so short. I don’t want my resume to be ugly but I’m… more

Do partners like to leave voicemails? Is it a problem if the voice mailbox on my cell (but not office line) is basically always full? I usually can pick up when they call but occasionally miss one.

Now that Nemecek is there, thoughts on STB’s LM and restructuring groups?

It’s been only a few months since I started at my firm but I need to go on a medical leave for a serious health issue. Can my firm deny or fire me if I go on a short term disability leave as I won’t b… more

Do associates at Paul, Weiss get window offices? If so, when?

How to lateral as a second year (litigation)

Help me solve a dilemma. If I do two more years at a biglaw firm, I’ll hit my FIRE number. If I go in house, it’ll take me three years. I hate biglaw and want my life back, but also don’t know what in… more

Just finished a hearing where opposing counsel and I literally were very angry at each other. Then we proceeded to ride the elevator together when we left. That was so damn awkward! How do you all do … more

If you graduated law school 8 years ago and have 4 years of experience in a niche practice area from working in-house, and a Big Law firm offers you a position, what class year is appropriate? Note… more

Hi, anyone have any thoughts on Sidley Austin’s Corporate Insurance practice in London? Thanks.

Who else is counting the days until the day you give notice

I’m a 5th year in big law and genuinely never intended on being in big law to begin with. I want to leave, but where do I go from here? Financially, I need something relatively close to market to stay… more

Are healthcare groups in big law just as busy as other groups these days? Is it mostly private equity work?

What's up with senior associate gunners? Does joining and signing up for everything really make a difference in making partner? I'm a senior, too, but I'm way too busy with work and busine… more

What firms are still chill with remote work? Considering lateraling as a mid-level in litigation. Currently at a V10 and I go in once a week without an issue.

I asked a JR if they could cover for another JR who was going on vacation on a close. Jr said ofc and he'd be happy to.

Now its the week of the close and the covering JR says he cant do anything … more

What is going on with Freshfields? Three transactional partners departed in two days!

Any firms starting up offices in Palm Beach? Anything new in Miami?

Anyone else a senior associate with a massive amount of student loan debt? I have the funds to pay a lot of it down but I just can’t pull the trigger because it’ll wipe out most of my assets (aside fr… more

One day we’re going to wake up and realize that we gave away our physical and mental health for stupid pieces of paper that they print out of thin air……

Any firms other than STB that has a strong/growing retail funds practice?

Any recruiter recommendations for LA? Finance practice if it matters.

Anyone else get way too physically fit after a layoff and realize you could never go back?

Thoughts on Willkie in Palo Alto? Yall hate it there or what? Coming from a dumpster fire of a firm so the bar is low.

What would happen if a client started publishing their financial information publicly in an industry magazine, which allows competitors to guess their rates? What if other competitors also did the sam… more

Ideally trying to break into L&E defense big law as a 3rd year. Made the mistake of working for some boutique law firms and worried I screwed myself. Can’t seem to find a decent recruiter in So Ca… more

What is a litigation assistant? Is it essentially a staff attorney?

Guys I really feel like this industry is at least partially f*cked within a couple years bc of AI. I can’t be the only one.

I’m having issues with not being political enough. When I sense a partner is crossing a line, I’m not completely deferential. I make my point ever so slightly and then add a fake deferential piece in … more

NY people: are you going into the office tomorrow?

Tell me why we’re not all screwed from AI. Both industry-wide and society. Having an AI doomer day. And yes, I know there will be some scientific benefits I’m sure, but all in all, this seems bad.

Best advice in this situation?

Your partner emails another partner about your work product being “horrible as expected.” Never had a direct negative feedback before.

He keeps sending me new work, but a… more

What do counsel make year 1 at your firm? Please drop firm names, this is an anon app anyway!

Does anybody have intel on culture/WLB at Harvey? I’m considering a non-legal position there and interested to hear if anybody has any insight. Ready to leave BL but somewhat worried about giving up p… more

Third year really want to leave big law (transactional) but don’t know what to do. Feeling stuck. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.