Any fish out here that have transitioned from a staff attorney to an associate role? If you have, what was your path and what all did you do?

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

If it paid better, I would have actually liked my staff attorney position. We were treated like team members and had offices at a great firm. Tons of hands on experience. I drafted more motions as a staff attorney then my later associate roles. Plus you work with phenomenal attorneys. There are some associates who look down at staff attorneys but that’s utter bs. If you get in as a staff attorney and really do great work - it can lead to bigger things.

like

That’s really reassuring to hear.

Me but it was really hard and I don't recommend it. Happy to discuss further via private message.

likehelpful

IME you're not going to be able to negotiate your way into associate prior to starting. They're either hiring for an on-track role or they're not.

But yes, try negotiating. And ask questions about whether staff attorney is just a temporary title that everyone gets before becoming an associate. I think a couple firms/ practice groups do that.

like

Is this really a thing? Honestly curious because the staff attorneys at my firm are grouped with paralegals and even 1st years are instructed on how to best make use of them as support staff so I really don't see them acquiring the type of experience that would get them an associate level shift.

like

I was a staff attorney for a few years. Pay was horrible but the firm life was great. Several of my friends moved on to big law firms as associates. In fact, i know at least 1 partner at an incredible firm who used to be a staff attorney with me. I made a couple stupid mistakes in firm choices and never went that route. But it is doable.

like

You’d never know it by LinkedIn profiles -
Once you become an associate, the term “staff” disappears from your work history.

likehelpfulfunny

Get an offer as an associate elsewhere and your firm might match. Worked for me

like

Been there. PM for details

like

It’s incredibly firm specific whether someone can transition from staff attorney to associate. I’ve seen it done once or twice at my current firm for very specific reasons; never and it wasn’t an option at my first one. Unless you are confident that staff attorney to associate is a known path at the firm you’re considering, I wouldn’t rely on the advice from outside your firm about whether this path is an option. In some places staff attorneys aren’t given the same type of work as associates, and in other places they are.

like

This makes sense

Pretty sure a new associate at our firm was a staff attorney elsewhere. I think he had to start as a first year…

Everyone, thanks for giving me your insight and sharing your experience. It’s incredibly helpful.

Related Posts

Hey Friends! Looking for advice!

My wife is a Chartered Accountant with 7+ years of experience as credit manager, underwriting loans with some leading banks in India. She just got her EAD and is looking for jobs, open to switch profiles as well. Do you think she would fit in for any role here in Seattle, WA? She has been a star performer and promoted twice in the last 3 years. One problem is companies look for US experience which she does not have, we just moved here early this year.

Got an interview with Amazon within their Advertising department. I hear working for Amazon can be great if you get into the right department. Anyone have insights to their advertising department? Good or bad? Also, would love some interview tips if you have them! (It’s for an Executive Assistant position) thank you!

like

I have a SQL assessment to complete with Home Depot for a Senior Analyst position for Inventory Solutions department and a little nervous for it as I have not touched SQL in over a year and a half since my previous role. Does anyone happen to have any tips or insight on the assessment? What functions are commonly asked, etc. thanks in advance. Looking at YouTube and LinkedIn tutorials at the moment to freshen up.

like

Hi all, negotiating with HR on salary for a new AS position and want to know what’s fair. I was an AE for two years, took a promotion at another agency for SAE for only 8 months and am now being recruited for AS at 80k. All of my agencies have been large, I’ve worked on pharma and a large global account, I also started “managing” at the AE level due to my team’s structure. Is $80k fair? Thanks!

like

Just got laid off today.... anyone hiring account executives? 3 years experience working across integrated campaigns in multiple industries. Hungry and eager to get back into the weeds!!

like

So bored with my job, but sticking it out til manager and one busy season for the title and milestone bonus, is it worth it ?

like

Graduating in two weeks and got a job offer from Amazon for tech support specialist role, in job application they asked for expected compensation and i put 55k, and they offering me exactly 55k should I have asked for more instead, I feel like I might have shot myself in the leg there a little bit

like

What is the process for moving from SM to D in IFS? Does it very by team? Are business cases part of the IFS process?

like

I am currently a year from finishing my PhD and was looking at VC's as a career path because I like to do meta-analysis of different climate change techs. I networked with VCs and one of them was receptive but didn't have the budget currently for a full time hire. They said they'd be interested in working with me to do a research paper over the coming semester, and was wondering if I could leverage this into a full time offer?

Is a white paper with a VC going to be attractive on my CV?

What is the value in professional certifications? ACCA, CFA, CIPD, etc.

like

Hi folks,

I am looking for ReactJS developer role/ frontend developer role
Total experience 2.8 years
Relevant Experience 2.3 years
LWD 5 August
If vacancy available kindly refer me
Thanks

like

I feel like I was straight up lied to during the interview process. “lots of opportunities to hit quota”. I’m sitting here with only one demo two months after joining the company. it looks like our team has only two people doing demos, and demos are only happening once every two weeks. At this rate, I don’t think I’ll be even close to hitting OTE. Are there any other companies hiring right now? I’ll have a discussion about my concerns with my manager soon, but there’s too many red flags here.

like

Companies hiring remote, experienced CL account managers with salaries of at least 90k. GO!!!

like

McKinsey & Company Any advice to help prepare for data science analyst role at top consulting firms (McKinsey & Company EY Boston Consulting Group etc)? Any materials, open source platform recommended to take on freelance data science project? When should I start actively looking and applying? I am a new grad who is working in tech as a marketing analyst I’m looking to pivot to marketing& sales data science consulting next year. Would like someone with similar backgrounds offer some practical tips.

like

Any companies hiring for Forensic Accounting (Investigations, Litigations, AML, etc.) I have both my CPA and CFE.

like

Any advice for landing an assistant/associate editor role? Anyone know of shops looking to hire full time?

M&A/CorpDev manager at a PE-backed software firm in UK - happy to answer questions!

like
like

Is it true that Recruiters and ECDs don’t consider creatives with Healthcare / Pharma experience when they apply for Consumer jobs? I have lots of Consumer experience (in my country) and I’m currently working in Pharma (in NYC), cause you know... I need to pay my bills. I’d like to go back to Consumer. I’d really appreciate your objective feedback.

like

More Posts

Morale is low rn on my team. Superstar team members have left the firm, and more members are trying to leave before busy season because we’ve had to pick up the slack. How to still stay motivated?

like

Hi everyone,
Need an help in getting referred to a position in Wipro
Please help at the earliest,i have the relavant job ID.

like

Can someone give me tips on how to use naukri.com effectively. I'm not able to see many MNCs if I search on the basis of location. Also, how should I modify my profile to get offers.
Please help

likeupliftingsmart

#LTIMINDTREE is Hiring for Multiple Profiles.

Interested can DM Emailids with Jobcode to APPLY!!

Post Photo
like

Thoughts on Locust Walk? What is its reputation?

like

SAP IS-U ABAP Developer | Serving Notice Period

Some agency put my application for wrong profile in Accenture, now i am not able to apply to the right one with issue as "Your profile already exists".

Can anyone help?

like

Exp. 8 years. Mid senior level.

I have to join new org on 1st April and leaving current org. On 18th

Now, I have 1 Interview on 16th.
It seems everything is last minute.

I haven't told interviewing firm that i have an offer and joining new org....to get the interview.(told current salary as per my offer from another org) & NP as one month

How do make sure i receive a better offer on time so I can join this org.
(If interview goes fine)

Suggest please

like

Hi Fishes,
Need suggestions on informatica interview.
What type of questions panel ask?
Anyone gave interview recently?

like

Hi all,

I am joining Natwest Group in July 2022 and as per my agreement with HR and manager, I will be working from office after 2 months of joining (from September onwards)

My question is how will my onboarding be online or I have to be in office for onboarding process.

Your help is highly appreciated

like

Evaluations coming in Dec :)

like

Let's have a poll on our current work setup!
It's about your current work setup and not about your preferences.

Post Photo
helpfulfunnylikeupliftingsmart

Hi all. Trying to move from the US to France to be with my partner. Anybody able / willing to help provide insight for getting a visa and sponsorship? Which companies are likely to sponsor an American? I have a B2 level of French. Hoping to stay in ESG / sustainability, but willing to be flexible. Thanks!

like
like

Sweetgreen or Chopt?

likefunny

New joiner. What should I get with my $250 wfh stipend? I already have standing desk, dual monitor, portable monitor, and good headset, not too sure what else I need, but it’s free money. Thanks.

like

How much equity would you push for if you considered a VP role at a Series C? What if it was $100m valuation vs $1B valuation?

likehelpful
like

What’s the salary range for a junior software engineer at USAA? I’m in their training program and trying to determine if it’s worth it before I waste 15 weeks in their software development training program .

likehelpful

Why does TD have two trading apps and which one is better? Currently downloading thinkorswim

like

Dear members
I am looking for sap Portal consultants, if any one is looking for change kindly reach out

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Referrals for Miami biglaw commercial litigation positions?

like

Joining GT…Should I choose a company phone or transfer my phone to GTs plan?

like

New to due diligence and not sure the timeline of projects. Tips to stay organized of the project and timeline, and how to update those leading the deal? Just keep track of new info and provide as necessary?

like

Actual photo of me calculating how much the partner inflated our bill to know how many hours I can bill to "Attention to Post-Closing Matters"

Post Photo
likefunny

Anyone know the average associate hours billed at Gunderson?

like

What are some reasons you’ve seen people get fired for? And how long did the warning process take, if any?

likehelpful

If you’re a new transactional third year, and you didn’t catch a mistake that the partner did, but the mid-level, partner and opposite side did not catch it as well, is it still ultimately your fault?

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

Should I complain to a firm's HR if the interviewers laughed at my answer during an interview? Maybe it sounded scripted but it was still heartfelt and genuine: my immigration story and how that made me appreciate the rule of law. I said it soo many times during OCI's that maybe it eventually sounded robotic, but for the interviewers to laugh and one to say sarcastically "nice elevator pitch", I thought was rude. Thoughts?

like

What’s a good v100-v50 for cap marks. In v5 and just need out asap. And not to go to another similar situation. I need a legitimate change long-term.

like

Anyone have experience working with a Robert Half legal in finding a new position? Thoughts/comments?

like

I hate this job. That is all.

likesmart

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

What is the average adoption assistance benefit at big law firms?

like

It's super frustrating to be "time poor".

That's seemingly just the nature of working in Biglaw.

But every day you have the option to buy back your time.

How do you buy back time?

It's simple—by saving and investing.

And you don't need to be uber wealthy to regain control of your time.

Consider this…

likesmart

Question for funds folks, since no one is around to answer any questions and I can't seem to find this answer anywhere. Why can't a placement agent combine or integrate the offering of interests in the sponsor's fund with the contemporaneous offering of interests in another fund? Is it based on reputational risk or from a sales perspective in case someone rejects both funds, any other issues? Thanks!

like

Thoughts on recording meetings. In Texas and have ADHD. I’ve been recording internal meetings for the past couple of weeks and my work product has improved exponentially. I’m able to go back and listen to the directions over again. In law school I had a note that gave me permission to do this. Is this taboo in a firm?

likesmart

Anyone know what Greenberg Traurig is starting at for entry level positions outside NYC? Can’t seem to find a source

like

When a client emails me at 1:30am and I respond immediately

Post Photo
likefunnyhelpful

Stub here with 3 months in. I work in litigation for a AM100 regional office. No issues with hours yet (45% over target) but just learned a 2nd and 3rd year missed their hours goal this year. Should I seek out projects from the transactional team during slow periods to ensure I hit billable, or is that frowned on?

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