SmithAmundsen LLC Discussions

Happy (zoom) Passover for everyone celebrating!

Please tell us, since COVID started:

-weirdest thing you've eaten
-weirdest thing you've watched
-weidest thought you've had.

They should really poll the associates to seed ideas for holiday party locations...

BigLaw M&A: what do you consider to be “big deal” vs a small and medium deal? For example, what do you consider a $150M deal?

Does anyone work in EC/VC (whether at a firm, a fund, or at a start-up)? I’m a general corporate associate and thinking of lateraling to a firm that focuses on this type of work, with the goal being to eventually go in-house. Would love to hear about any experiences.

Any one ever worked at Clean Energy Counsel LLP? Have any insights on the firm, career advancement there, business development, etc. Thanks!

Partners: How often are you paid? Do you receive regular paychecks/distributions in equal amounts? Does the firm ever withhold a check during a cash crunch?

I started a few new business ( with debt) this year, and because the way my taxes looked with other losses it looks like I didn't make a ton of money. Now my credit dropped from 800 to 720 and I'm having trouble getting credit. Despite having a perfect payment history and fully able to cover all liabilities. Any way to get the credit up. If I pay off my liabilities then my credit history gets shot with young accounts. What's the best way to handle this?

Opinions on career clerkships? Especially with a two year old and wanting another child eventually.

How long after you start a new job is it appropriate to take a vacation? And for what length of time?

Just FYI, if you ever miss an issue in an agreement that you don’t catch until late in the deal process, don’t try to blame it on the other side to your client. You’ll get caught.

Protocol for responding (or not) to unsolicited emails from recruiters to your work email? In other words, is it acceptable to just ignore without a response? Or do you prefer to keep the line open with a brief “thanks for thinking of me, I am not interested at this time but hope we can collaborate in the future.”

Fishies—does anyone know of a way to convert a deposition transcript to remove all page:line numbers? I’d like to use text-to-speech to listen to transcripts but I can’t in the normal format.

If an individual resides in CT and works in NY can we serve them in NY?

Any advice on giving notice without burning bridges?

What’s the best way to turn down a 2nd interview? During the 1st interview, I learned that the compensation for the role is not within the range that I am looking for and requires 400 more billable hours a year than what I bill now. I’d basically be laterally for my current salary just to bill 400 more hours. I also wasn’t aware that the local office was strictly ID. Firm website advertises lots of practice areas. Any advice? TIA!

Hours aren’t very busy for bankruptcy group at my firm. Seems like we’re waiting for a surge of some sort. A lot of advisory questions at the partner level but not coming down so quick. Anyone else?

Former biglaw first-years now in government: Do juniors in government get more autonomy than those in biglaw? Or is the review process for juniors' work at least more efficient/streamlined (i.e. reviewed by one mid-level and one senior, instead of four mid-levels, two seniors, and two partners)?

So who else here is experiencing plummeting billable hours and exponential weight gain since this whole WFH thing started? Bought snacks for 30 days, finished in 48 hours.

Anyone who recently took the CIPP/E exam? Any tips for what materials to use to prepare for it and the most effective study strategy (assuming I have very limited GDPR exposure)? Thanks!

Finet pros and cons for $600k producer please

Anyone have a multifamily underwriting model in excel they can share?

Hi folks, is anyone here involved with their firm's Docket process? I've been part of ours for years. I'd love to touch base and share tips, commiserate, scream into the Void...

How long it takes for background verification check in RSM US LLP?

I’ve been in my current position (Bookkeeper) for 4 years now. I’m highly interested in taking the PHR, and I’m wondering if I would qualify for the 4 year HR professional job requirement to be eligible to test for the certificate. I work for a small business, therefore I do all the on boarding paperwork/payroll. Any advice is appreciated.

Do y’all have a prayer room at your firm? I don’t think mine does and I’m tryna think about how i can make it a thing. I’m sure there are other Muslims here

Has anyone put work in their book that the client denied? I wrote some pretty great lines for a client and it’s like they hate creativity. I really want to put them in my book, is that a bad idea?

Working with a Junior AD who’s too opinionated & doesn’t respond to my feedback well. He’ll just show ideas that I’ve already debunked/scripts that aren’t very good, which makes me look bad. Advice?

When non-ad ppl ask you what do you do? In terms of title; do you tell them “copywriter”? Or immediately assume they dont know and might confuse it with copyright infringement, and just end up telling them that you’re a writer or a creative director, and skip the hassle

Do you charge your clients for time spent on email communication?

2020 and this first full week of 2021 were the pushes I needed to finally get a therapist. How are y'all holding up?

I just found out my new coworker has ADHD. While that doesn’t bother me, I have never worked with someone with ADHD. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

So what’s happening in the local shops? Layoffs? Hiring freezes?

I am sure it’s been asked 100 times but humor me please. Best office chair to add to the good I’m doing with a stand up desk? Lol.

Would love to stay in a reasonable range if possible (800 max)

Please like so I can unlock DM's! Thank you! :)