2nd year in Biglaw, going to be a 3rd year Jan. 1. I have only drafted portions of dispositive motions, never start to finish. I hit my hours every year but I am worried I am not getting substantive drafting experience at this stage in my career. Mainly have two massive cases where seniors are the drafters and I do alot of the research, analysis, evidence gathering, etc. I am asking whether other 2nd years have had similar experiences so I can determine if I need to make a change. Thanks.

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Uhm, what? Argued a discovery dispute as a second year? I don’t know a single second year associate that’s done this. Drafted a minor motion, sure. But argued it? Nope. Also don’t know of any second years that have defended a deposition by themselves. At this stage, second years should be second chairing at most. Having a second year defend on their own seems like bad judgment.

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I’m in lit focused biglaw and haven’t seen these things, with the exception of pro bono. Boutique makes sense.

I think the divide here is big law vs mid law/small law experience. I have been in mid law/small law for 3 years, and I have drafted motions start to finish, taken 20+ depos, defended depositions, argued dispositive motions, attended hearings, handled mediations by myself, etc. The only thing I haven’t done is 2nd chair a trial. But I do mostly car wrecks and insurance defense, so my matters are much smaller than what I imagine my peers in big law handle.

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I’d be more concerned with your other skills—have you at least defended a depo yet? Argued a minor motion like a discovery dispute? Someone else having the final pen is fine as long as there are opportunities for you to develop your litigation skills. If you’re still only drafting portions of motions and that’s ALL you get to do other than doc review/written discovery, I’d be concerned.

Yeah. I have been in depo rooms as support for the partner in many depos. No oral argument experience. I’m trying to figure out if this is just “big law junior associate” stuff or I need to leave before I become too mid-level…

Your experience is about typical for biglaw litigation, not lateral worthy. Keep putting your hands up and asking partners/seniors for more drafting and you will get it.

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