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Any thoughts on Orrick LA culture?
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Imagine first thing would be to loop in this junior in to your workstreams so s/he no longer has to work with those said mid levels.
You absolutely should - as a junior myself, just knowing there is someone in your corner who recognizes why the work you’re getting is challenging does a lot. Then as associate 2 said, once his work load eased up a bit try giving him an assignment w reasonable deadlines so he can see it’s possible to work and have a life (and hopefully relieve that burnout feeling).
Weekly coffe break (or lunch), give him some assignments if you can, and basically show him you will be there if he needs you. Makes a hell of a difference
Having someone who tells you how it is, not the party line, can feel amazing when you are experiencing nonsense or questioning what it all means. My favorite mentors don’t try to spin anything.
Coach
Or if you have superior knowledge say that the situation might have more nuance than they think without spinning.
I do this all the time. Just schedule a 30 minute talk for a couple weeks and ask how they are doing. Talk about personal lives and relate. Explain the struggles you had (lord knows I had plenty) as a junior. I think it’s all about showing you respect and appreciate the person. Let the person know that they can reach out any time, if only for a gut check. Then, if they kickass on a project, write feedback to the MP letting them know how well the person did. This is what the best seniors did for me when I was junior and now they are partners and I am a senior just paying it forward and working (always) on building a great culture throughout our group. Love that you asked this question OP!
Coach
Haha. That would out me, but we do have some opening in my group (though not in my NYC office). Feel free to PM if you want to chat!
Take the kid for coffee somewhere confidential-ish and just talk, I think.
What year level? If under 1 and he’s being delegated by mid levels, that’s fair game.