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I wouldn’t associate this with large firms, per se. Smaller firms may have more of it, actually. Further, there are different types of partners. If big rainmakers want to make associates do menial tasks, that will happen anywhere.
And it is more acceptable from rain makers or will be tolerated because they bring something else to the table. The real problem walks along when those partners do not.
The guy I learned to practice law from couldn't type. He has since passed away, but a lot of these dinosaurs still walk the earth, and some of them control the movement of a lot of work.
I get that. After a while though that seems like an excuse and I question why I’m not in an industry that rewards efficiency and progress.
I don’t view it as an egalitarian organization, but as an associate today I would never make partner if I couldn’t type or have a basic grasp on technology. I would be let go relatively quickly.
I agree, Associate, there are certain expectations and standards that the partners or directors should follow and they should be reasonably well-versed in the basic operations of the firm, ie how to type, retrieve documents, etc. Sounds to me like have become too complacent and that they expect everyone else to perfom their administrative duties, which we ALL perform to some extent, and therefore, they have become lazy in their dependence on others. You're right, if I or anyone else, as a paralegal failed to perform basic duties, be it on the computer, phone, or lacked familiarity with other duties or operations of the office, I would be toast, fired for incompetence or lack of basic skills. No wonder behemoth corporations go out of business, like Lehman, Merrill, or Enron, because the CEO and directors, officers, etc. don't have a bloody clue as to the fundamental workings of the office environment. Ok, that's not the only reason companies go south, but I think you catch my drift. Good luck to you, bottomline, if you're not happy, start looking elsewhere to display your talents. This kind of indolence is really unacceptable.
If the workplace is intolerable, and you believe that you should quit, at least sue them for that on your way out the door, if you win you’ll at least get paid for the year, but they might settle if you use the media because no business wants bad publicity put on them. But don’t stress yourself out about someone else’s business. You just work there for money, so get your money and be happy with yourself and your work and go home happy
Do not sue. You’ll be black listed from every other law firm and you won’t even get enough money to probably afford to not work for two years.
Are you able to bill for the work? If you are working on his files; he has assigned the tasks/specific things he wants done; and he is the one reviewing his client’s bills I would suggest doing the work and billing every legitimate amount of time you spend. Keep a list for yourself or print your time entries each day. You might be the associate he relies on, and that’s a golden ticket.
Your question boggles my mind. They aren't lazy, they are partners. Unless you can't bill for it what is the issue? They are partners not associates. Smaller firms you will be worse, in addition you won't have the additional associates or paralegals or LPA staff to pick up the things a partner is delegating that you will have to do. Which one you likely are not even aware of.
I mean by definition the partners shouldn’t be held to the same standards as the associates. They’re the shareholders. Sure, their partners could try to hold them accountable but at the end of the day they own the firm and get to decide what they have associates do even if associates don’t like it or it’s not a good use of their time. It sounds like you are viewing a law firm as some sort of egalitarian organization where associates and partners are equal colleagues - it isn’t and they’re not.
There is a difference between different roles and responsibilities and sheer laziness and unwillingness to change and we all know it.
I say lateral if you want to. People on here will always say put up with X or Y. But if you’re unhappy, I say try to lateral and see how it works out.
When are partners ever held to the same standards as associates?