Law

How has the year kicked off for everyone?

I realized recently that I eat lunch at my desk almost every single day. Not because I love it, but because stepping away feels indulgent, like I’m slacking if I’m not available. It’s wild how basic b… more

Anyone know what Husch Blackwell is paying their 3-5 year attorneys in the St. Louis market? I see NALP says $190k for first years.

I’ve noticed a pattern that’s hard to unsee: the people who talk the most about their work seem to get the most credit for it. Meanwhile, those of us quietly executing and keeping things afloat get la… more

Somewhere along the way, I started documenting everything. Follow-up emails, recap notes, screenshots... just in case. It started after one too many “I don’t remember that” moments, but now it feels l… more

I want to hear from you partners at small/boutique law firm shops about 30~ size. Why would you hire a junior associate or a fresh grad? What are you looking for in terms of their profitability and wh… more

I had an interview this morning. Met with 4 sets of partners, the first two went amazing. The last two were all women, and it felt true mean girls vibes. I left feeling totally defeated and without an… more

Graduated May 2025 and I’ve been working at a law firm (commercial lit) for like three months and I just feel so overwhelmed. I feel like the expectations are so high but I have no clue how to do some… more

I want to work on more commercial litigation cases but my firm does less of it than it used to so partners aren’t really bringing in those types of cases. I’m considering lateraling. However, I am als… more

Who is working MLK day? At a firm where the office is technically "closed" Monday but I imagine only staff will not be working.

I finish matters successfully but rarely know if it actually counts toward advancement. How do you know what a win really is at your firm?

Don’t laugh at me, but are there any lawyer jobs that let you take summers off? Making great money in biglaw but want to travel and learn languages.

Has anyone moved from one toxic firm to another, thinking it would be better the second time around? Someone please tell me this misery eventually ends.

Is there anything I can do as a general litigation associate to try and market myself in order to transition into a corporate/capital markets/securities/financial transactions role? I have had some due diligence … more

Does anyone still maintain paper files for clients or is the preference/requirement for electronic files?

Just accepted a reduced-hours offer for a lifestyle firm I’m really excited about and ready to leave my current toxic one (treated me awfully post-baby despite years of meeting my hours). In process o… more

Should l go to Law Offices to drop off my resume or just reply to job apps? I'm right out of school and nobody is hiring without 2 yrs experience. TIA.

Performance reviews feel wildly subjective, depending less on what you did and more on who’s willing to speak up for you. I’ve seen identical work praised in one review and ignored in another, just ba… more

Has anyone ever put notice in more than 2 weeks in advance? My mentor is suggesting that, because of some of my particular circumstances (i.e., not to do the firm a favor), it might make sense to basi… more

Nervous about my skills and fitness. I got called last year and started a new job at a specialist boutique litigation firm with limited litigation experience… I feel dumb,,,

I know remote jobs are hard to come by, and I check all the normal channels, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any "secret" law firms that only post on their websites?

I got barred last year and have been working as an associate at a firm. It’s been great, I love it. Recently I received an opportunity to clerk in federal court, but obviously I would have to leave my current fir… more

Does anyone know the approximate pay scale at Stradley Ronon?

As a first year associate is it normal to have to ask for work almost every day? I feel like such a bother asking over and over for more things to do.

👀What would make you quit your job in 2026?

When interviewing for a new job, is it fine to mention that, when you were hired for your current position, the firm represented that the role would be a good mix of litigation and transactional matte… more

I have been a paralegal for over 10 years have worked all aspects of law now I am looking for a job and since I am a little older than a lot of other people I see that age discrimination is real. Has … more

ChatGPT woe. Anyone else lamenting their pre-AI use of “m dashes”?
Now it’s assumed that the presence of m dashes—regardless of historical usage—means that Chat is ghostwriting the argument. SOS.

Any public finance folks have experience with NABL or CDFA courses? I would like to pivot into that work and am considering the CDFA webinars or the NABL in person foundations course and have to pick … more

I am looking for ways to increase or supplement my income. As for the former, I am applying to other firms that offer better comp. But if that fails, I am considering just doing side gigs. The desire … more

What is the best way to format a writing sample if you only wrote the second half of the brief? Should I just delete the pages of the brief I didn’t write? Any tips are greatly appreciated!

I am an associate stepping into a supervisory role at my firm with the law student interns. Any advice on how to manage them effectively without being overbearing?

Every January I convince myself this will be the year I finally fix things... better boundaries, better balance, fewer late nights. I buy the planner, set the intentions, tell myself I’ll do it differ… more

Looking to swap jobs in a different state. Currently applying to that state’s bar so I can tell employers that I am signed up for the bar exam. The NCBE character and fitness investigation asked for m… more

What is the vibe at Hinshaw and Culbertson? I would likely be in a satellite office, not Chicago. Is it stuffy and conservative?

Having a really hard time getting back into the swing of things this year. Thought it would just be last week because it was the first week of the year, but here I am again, with 1.4 billable hours fo… more

Anyone familiar with Lee & Hayes? Salary, office attendance requirements, culture, etc

I can’t count how many meetings I’ve sat through where nothing was decided and no one was accountable. We talk in circles, agree to take it offline, and then… schedule another meeting. It eats hours o… more