any advice for mandated mentor meetings? been here about a year and this assigned mentor (nonequity partner) is the partner/counsel I like the least in my group. I won’t get into details, but others have similar sentiments. They are assigned to mentor a couple other associates and meetings are supervised by an attorney development manager (which maybe is for the better like supervised visitation? Don’t know) anyway, any advice for these or do I just sit there and be quiet for most of it?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Go to the practice group leader and ask for a different mentor.

like

Adding to A2: Rejecting an assigned mentor without even trying is a recipe for disaster. Go, listen, talk, maybe it helps you to understand them better. If it is really untenable ask one of your real mentors how to approach.

likesmart

Heart goes out to you OP—my first year mentor was beyond useless and directly contributed to me lateraling. Unfortunately with small groups it is sometimes the case that alternative mentors are not an option.

like

Look up mentoring prompts and just spend each session discussing a new prompt. This job is full of people no one likes. I specialize in difficult personalities. After a few sessions (3-4), get your actual informal mentor in your group to request to formalize the relationship (not you). They won’t say no to a direct request from a volunteer, especially if this person has a few other mentees.

Try to think of some thoughtful questions you can ask that they may have answers to. Even people you don’t like can be helpful. But I second trying to get mentorship from others you connect with more.

Related Posts

Got an offer today in strategy for manager - band level 7. What does the band level 7 mean and where does it stand in hierarchy?

like
like
like

7/15 Thread (BC):

like

I would just like to take this time to tell everyone that no matter what your role is, or who you work for.. that we work to live, we don't live to work.

I understand that statement has some degree of privilege.

However when things are all said and done, a lot of us won't be worried about the extra dollars we made or an additional title we got, but what we were able to do with the time we had.

like

Seriously need you suggestions
Yoe- 12+
Role offered- Associate Manager - World Bank Project

How would the wlb and prjt is like !!
Any insight is much appreciated 👍

like
like

Fishers, any tip to apply and ace for a role that you have zero experience? I have more than 10 years of experience as EA and want to move to OM/admin manager role however most companies only hire those with minimal 3-5 years of experiences.

like

(Family Law Attorney) Straight clients when their cases are not going my way: Accuse me of sleeping with their ex husbands Queer clients when their cases are not going my way: Come to me with genuine concern because their exes have put a curse on me and I'm being brainwashed to not work hard on their cases It's neat that all my clients who hate me also think that I'm an incredible lawyer who can do anything and am just choosing not to because of my sexuality/susceptibility to witchcraft

likefunny

What are some creative ways that I can reward my team? They've been working really hard lately and I want to show my appreciation

like

People of Color, how do you deal with an all-white team who doesn't acknowledge your (worthy) accomplishments while pats all incompetent employees?

likefunny

Any Recruiter here?
Need help

like

I joined my company as a BI- Analyst and now they are teaching us SAP HANA (DATA MIGRATION). Is it good start for a fresher??

like

How's the job security for a 10 years experienced DevOps engineer. I am planning to join.

Is it a company where people can stay longer . ?

like

H ello everyone, what are some good LinkedIn learning or certifications that are good for someone with a Healthcare Administration BS and Healthcare Informatics MS, with a strong background in Revenue Cycle Management. I am trying to become more marketable. Also, I am open for new opportunities.

like

I’m a closeted no book reader. I’ve maybe read 5 books over the last 10 years… My teams over the years are always talking about all the books they read and providing recommendations, but luckily people tend to be more interested in sharing what they read rather than listening so I’ve made it this far. I’m worried I’ll be discovered one day

likefunny

Been planning for months to move to Chicago but I’m just seeing more and more news about crime getting worse, even in the nice areas…

Not sure what to do, I desperately want to move out of NYC and start somewhere new 🥺

funnylikehelpful

I am a Backend Python Developer. Is DSA/Competitive Programing mandatory for job change?
Any Advice/help would be really appreciated :)

like

Well, well, well...no consulting snow day, but did get upgraded to first. I'm willing to call that a win. Thanks, Delta! ❄️

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Anyone have any favorite office decor or personal items? Trying to think of things to make my office less boring now that I'm going back in.

Feel free to share anything interesting that you've seen as well.

Currently thinking plants and potentially wall art.

like

Thoughts on choosing between Katten, Bryan Cave and Polsinelli? Katten pays best, BC has lower hours requirements and seems more laid back.

like

As performance review season approaches, I am offering my services to ghostwrite the BL Bowl’s annual self-evaluations. For an added fee, I will also attend your performance review. For an even bigger added fee, I will attend in-person.

likefunnyuplifting

How do I tell a firm I screened with that another firm I screened with is moving forward with full rounds? I would prefer the former firm, even though the latter firm is ranked higher. Thanks for any advice

like

Thoughts on getting fed government jobs? I'm a first year associate in a specialized transaction group in DC and I fucking hate it. I had an internship at a federal department in school but after that went 2L SA/firm. Any hope of finding something? Right now my plan is to just start spamming USAjobs and hope something eventually sticks.

like

I’m in the biglaw hiring process through an outside recruiter. It’s so frustrating because he’s having these conversations with the firm and only paraphrasing the gist of them to me. He says he can’t forward the exact emails. Is that BS? Why can’t I see what the firm is telling my recruiter?

like

I am a person, not a machine. That is all.

likeupliftingsmart

Welp did not get selected in the H-1 visa lottery. I guess my time in this country has come to an end.

likehelpfulsmart

Let’s talk speed reading. I’m a slow reader and listened to a podcast recently on speed reading. I’m intrigued. Who here speed reads? How did you learn those skills, and what types of documents do you speed read in practice? I do mostly litigation and am thinking that speed reading would help with research but maybe not things like doc review where you need to review for both responsiveness and privilege.

like

Archer: Any idea what Archer & Greiner would pay a 4th year associate in NY or Philly? Are they on a fixed pay scale or is it different for every associate. Any insight very appreciated!!

like

Thought we would close today. Thought we would close tomorrow bc it was just a funding issue. Now im watching partners fighting over random things on an ancillary doc and being nasty at each other. Eating 🍿 but i want this deal to close

likefunny

My work product is becoming worse and partners are noticing/commenting. I just hate the practice area so much that every time I am asked to do something I just get it done as quickly as possible and can’t be bothered to put in effort. I think I need to quit so I’m not fired for bad performance with a horrible reputation. Am I nuts and should I just wait til they let me go?

likehelpful

If you do billable work on a given PTO/vacation day, do you still count that day as vacation? Or do you get that vacation day "back"? Or do you only get the part that you billed "back"? (Or some other option.)

likefunny

Serious billing question - if during the course of the day, you first receive an email from Client A at say 11:10am and you read it, you then respond to it at 12:20pm. You get another email at 2pm from Client A and respond immediately. The next email comes in at 4pm, you read it and respond only at 4:30pm. None of the email responses take more than 3-5mins. You are working on matters for other clients at all other times during the day. How much are you billing for Client A?

like

I've worked with the partners I report to, but not so much outside of my practice group. Is it normal for an associate to request a partner to do something or request information?

like

When should a stub start getting worried about not having much work and low billable hours?
I’ve asked for work but no luck. I know they say this is normal for a stub but when should I start getting worried and consider looking for exit options? Fyi, I like my practice group, so I don’t want to change to a different group within my firm, hence would have to lateral, if I have to. Also, other co-1st years are churning in high hours.

like

Working on some law firm applications tonight and it sucks that I know that I am so capable and have a strong work ethic but firms can’t see beyond grades or the fact that I didn’t go to a t14 law school or prestigious undergrad. I’ve worked twice as hard and feel like I’ve barely even gotten half as much. It’s discouraging sometimes especially because I worked so hard with pretty much no guidance (first gen, poc, low-income) to get into college and do well and then get into a t30 law school

like

I’m have a new theory about why juniors always feel like idiots and wanted to see if anyone else thinks this makes sense. I’m a third year, and am the most junior person all of my teams (generally me, a senior or two, and a partner or two), and I always feel like I’m messing something up. Is this just because I never get to work with other juniors and don’t see the mistakes they make, and that it’s relatively normal? And FWIW I went to HYS and I’ve had a clerkship so it’s not like I’m not smart

like

I’ve made it 5+ years in a NY M&A practice and have consistent exceeding expectations reviews. I’ve had a few mental breakdowns because of work during this time, but thankfully made it through. I’ve been in a near constant depressive/anxious state for family reasons for the last year and half, and am soon having my first kid. I’m scared shitless that I’ll spiral out of control both at work and at home if something doesn’t change soon. Any suggestions on how to keep this job and keep it together?

like

Are any bankruptcy lawyers having to do work outside their practice area during these times? I have zero partner supervision and don’t know how to do like diligence for finance deals..

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal