Litigation & Arbitration

I’m going to start trying the pomodoro technique for time management. Does anyone have a timer they use for this? I don’t want it to be on my phone, because I’m concerned I would just get distracted.

Can someone provide some insight on Wilson Elser? I’m mainly interested in hearing about the differences between the “Associate” and “Of Counsel” levels (more in comments) and the pay scale for each p… more

To avoid multiple follow ups (usually inevitable 🤪), what method do you use to get information/documents from clients to respond to written discovery?

Does anyone use Westlaw’s CoCounsel platform? If so, how effective is it?

I got an offer for a lateral move and accepted but am having second thoughts. Wondering if anyone has any thoughts. 150k salary, southern California, 7.5 years of experience. I am currently doing empl… more

Employment lawyers - is it common for an employer that paid for an MBA program to ask for a return of the money if you leave your employment within a certain time period?

How much do automobile crash plaintiff attorneys work? I want better work life balance.

I gave notice after a small pay increase & my firm’s refusal to negotiate (met billable & prof. rqmts). My firm now wants to match new firm’s offer among other reasonable requests to incentivi… more

Is there a way to appeal the state bar late fees for MCLE and CTAPP reporting? I was on maternity leave when they were due and recovering from an emergency c-section so everything was a blur. I though… more

Just accepted a position at a small firm. 3rd year associate in BigLaw (V100). Going from being stuck behind a discuss to trial work. Any tips on the transition? Completely different practice areas. C… more

Anyone here well versed in the NJ court rules? I am outta state and have a small case which I am trying to handle pro hac vice. There’s a discovery rule that I’m a bit perplexed by.

Is it me or does litigation age a person twice as fast? I have so many grey hairs now….

Arent Fox - pros and cons. TIA!

Associates 1-3 years, are you handling everything in your matters or do perform the substantive drafting of briefs, memos, pleadings and then the partner finishes it off? I’m trying to understand if I… more

Any insight on Blank Rome for litigation associate? Looking for information on billables, culture, etc.

Has anyone transferred from employment litigation to a workplace investigations practice? If so, did you like the change…why or why not?

What’s your favorite discovery tool and why? I’m a second year associate and trying to get better at prosecuting cases in commercial litigation.

Those of you BigLaw associates who left BigLaw for an actual trial practice firm, how long did it take for you to become comfortable in court?

In BigLaw, 3 YOE doing commercial lit. Don’t think I want to do this forever and I know I don’t want to be in BigLaw forever. I think I want to jump into the torts arena. I have an offer at a small pe… more

What else would you call an exception judgment—
A pretrial ruling?
A procedural decision?

I need help brainstorming…
What are some other phrases I can use to distinguish an exception judgment from a final… more

Any litigators here love the strategizing part of job but fear public speaking? Tips for overcoming?

Any recommendations for legal writing workshops that includes drafting practice and review? Associates are between 2-6 years of practice. I’m looking for something in the DC/MD/VA area or online.

What is everyone's biggest pet peeve when it comes to people breaking email etiquette?

How does your firm view P&Ls at associate and partner levels? How's it affect your bonuses/raises? What's on your loss side? I'm getting the impression my current firm is outside the n… more

So, how long has everyone been practicing?

Tips for breaking down billing entries for a lengthy post-trial brief? Took many hours over the course of multiple days, but this partner does not like me to bill for each section of drafting individu… more

Why do people say “thanks, [person of name they’re thanking]” in emails? Am I crazy, or does the comma in that context make no sense? You’re not indicating a pause between the thank you and the pers… more

CA lawyers, any experience with Judge Moses out of LA Superior? Thoughts? Plaintiff or defense oriented?

Opinions on Keller Postman and their practice groups?

Does anyone here work as a private mediator?how is the demand for mediations? Are you able to get enough mediations or do the big mediation shops take most of the demand?

I exclusively use Westlaw for my legal research but recently found 2 unpublished district court opinions that were only on Lexis and not Westlaw.

I previously had no idea that opinions could be listed on one si… more

So just gave my notice at my firm. When I gave notice, it was just devoid of any emotion. Almost like this happens so often and we are used to it. Been a little frosty with co workers. Admittedly … more

Why do law firms frown on associates taking vacation? If an associate is known to be responsive and to meet their hours, I don’t understand why it is taboo to take a week off for vacation. Every other… more

How many hours do biglaw associates actually work in a week? What are y’all’s schedules like? I’ve only heard about billables, and opinions on whether the workload is manageable or insane. I’ve seen t… more

Thinking about leaving biglaw to join a small PI firm. Would love to get trial experience. Pay cut is substantial. 225 to 115. Has anyone made this switch? Curious on thoughts.

How much do personal injury attorneys work on a weekly basis?

Who's stuck working through their Saturday? I normally don't mind but the weather looks so lovely outside, I hate being stuck indoors in front of a computer with a pile of dusty books when the… more

FL question: have a CMO deadline for final witness and exhibit lists due. Still in discovery process and trying to set the CME. Would want the CME report as an exhibit. Is listing "any CME report… more