As a first year - if you like working with a particular partner a lot, is it a good idea to just volunteer for all the work they have for you to do, or is it better to try to get a balance of different work from the practice group? Not trying to come off like Incrediboy.

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

Stick to the ones you like.

like

First year is too early to tie yourself down to one person. You need to develop your relationship with more people while you’re still cheap and people are willing to take a chance on you. Once you’re more senior, partners already have their favorites and it’s a lot harder to get work from people you’ve never worked with before. Also, you never know who will leave and when. It’s too risky to only be working for one person as a junior.

like

Do all the work. Saying no needs to be reserved for people you don't want to work for. Everyone expects first years to be available.

like

Stick to who you like unless you really want the type of work someone else has. If you get the sense they’re not sticking around, diversify.

like

Both! Building a strong relationship with a specific partner and getting lots of work from them can be great. But you should also be taking work from others, for multiple reasons: getting a variety of experiences, learning different things from different people, not being known as the associate who turns down work, not putting all your eggs in one basket (like, what if the one partner leaves or dies or is on the outs for some reason?), etc.

like

I’d try to get a balance of different work. Could be a great learning experience.

like

Balance. Seriously. I had a favorite partner I did most of my work for and now some people act like he owns me. It’s ridiculous. You need more than one partner who will have your back and you are not in a position as a first year to know best who that should be. If you like a particular partner absolutely keep working for them, but I wouldn’t do more than 50% of your work for any one person if you can. Obviously may vary from time to time as particular deals/cases get super busy. You will learn so much more from varying styles and skills of various partners and will be able to bring things you learned from p1 to p2’s deals and vice versa and impress people all around.

like

Another vote for diversifying here. Everyone at the firm has different strengths, areas of knowledge, and styles of practice, and you learn more with more exposure. I started working with just 1-2 partners early on, and I feel like my ability to issue spot was constrained by it, in a way, because I only know the issues they care about and arguments they make. I do try to take work from other partners now, and each time I learn a lot from their different perspective.

Related Posts

Any advice for final round interviews for PE associate roles? Any unique questions you’ve seen? Any tips on how to standout?

like

Is there anything similar to Vista Consulting Group for other PE funds? Heard KKR has its own unit of internal consulting - is that true? What other examples are out there?

like

I have a VC/GE interview coming up (phone screen) and personally don’t know much about the space , it’s just an area that has always seemed interesting.

Does anyone have Recommendations on how to get up to speed/good questions to ask during the phone screen?

I would assume the first call will be pretty standard to any other company, but just want to be prepared.

like

Pre-MBA at MBB — Have worked on a few DDs but have not touched the model workstream yet. Any advice on how I can best discuss my “deal” experience in PE interviews despite that? Thanks in advance!

likesmart

Stayed up until 2:30 last night playing Among Us...the games just take so much longer than you think LOL

like
like

Hearing of layoffs with some Chicago agencies. MSL...Porter...Ketchum...others? Sign of bad economy coming? Hate to sound skittish, but I lived through 2008

like

Help I am starting a travel project soon. What should I sign up for? What airline and hotel should I book?

like

More than halfway through a 90 in 90 and I’m so grateful for NY AA and that there are so many meetings! Also 90 in 90 is actually kinda great

like

How is the career in Pursuits in any Big 4? Does it pay as good as core consulting work? How is the work life balance? I want to make a shift from client chargeable work to BD work for better work life balance. Is it worth switching?

T-minus a week until I give notice. Excited. Nervous. But so happy to get out.

like

Currently at Deloitte at looking to apply to Amazon. Know anyone who is ex-big 4 who would be open to giving advice on application&interviews?

like

Outside counsel has been prepping company witnesses for a trial in August. It is my subject area so I am supervising outside counsel. I did not, however, choose the counsel. He is doing a really awful job. Co counsel is better, but not great either. Higher ups love the firm… I do not want to micromanage, but I have genuine concerns about outside counsel’s ability to try this case. Trials are rare, and I just don’t think these guys have actually tried many cases. Cont. below…

like
like

Looking for a gift for my boyfriends mom. We’ve been together 6 months so nothing too personal but something more than flowers! Any ideas?

likeuplifting

For Females-
There is single occupancy available in Amanora Park Town for master bedroom. The flat is fully furnished. And society have all the amenities.
Rent-18k for Master bedroom (Negotiable)
Dm if interested

like

What type of survey would you be interested in?

Anyone in Austria?

like

I’m having offer from EPAM Anywhere of 19.4 lpa for 5 yrs React exp. But concerned about policies of EPAM anywhere. So I did not resign yet. Also cognizant and HCL delaying offer discussions due to 3 month notice period. Any suggestions how should I tackle the situation to get the offer?

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Anyone have any insights into Big Law firms opening in Salt Lake City (Kirkland & Ellis, Wilson Sonsini, Greenberg Traurig, Foley, etc.)? I was approached by a recruiter because of a past connection to the state, and I’m trying to determine whether it would be a good fit.

likehelpful

Opinion on Quinn? (Would prefer an opinion from people who actually work there and aren’t just bitter from opposing them)

like

Any thoughts on the hours in the tax-exempt org group? How is the work?

like

To those at V25 firms, how do you view your London office in terms of the quality of work we get and overall importance to the firm? Like is there a perception of us being a step down or ancillary to the big leagues of NYC or not? There’s generally a perception here that L&W and K&E are the only US firms where London can even begin to compete with stateside in terms of generating l work organically but would be interesting to know what you all think? Be brutally honest.

like

Foreign trained lawyer (common law) and just starting bar study. Freaking out. Please tell me it’s possible in the timeframe.

like

Anyone have any insight into the financial services practice group at Troutman Pepper?

like

I'm thinking of leaving firm life and applying to the NY SG's office. Anyone heard anything about it (work environment, prestige, etc.)?

like

Litigators—how many different cases are you on?

Been feeling spread too thin lately but I don’t know whats typical. Curious what others do. And would you mind sharing whether you’re a junior, midlevel, partner, etc??

I realize sheer number of cases doesn’t tell the whole story… obviously you can be buried on one massive case. I’m finding it hard to jump back and forth between everything I have going on right now, though, but I don’t know if the answer is to just deal with it.

like

Looking for some encouragement. Has anyone here received an overall negative performance review or has been put on a development/performance plan and was able to turn things around for the better?

like

I have ADD and occasionally make small mistakes in my work, like leaving a word missing when editing sentences, small formatting errors or leaving an internal comment in drafts sent to clients. All partners have been very understanding and care about the quality of my work, and no client has ever complained. Partners and clients praise my work.

But now, one partner has become super mad and when I explained ADD, he said:

likefunny

Lawyer Couples:
I’m currently an associate (no kids) in a very busy corp group (think 50-60 billable weekly). My wife works significantly less (currently part time, 10-15, but hopefully will be full time soon). I find myself getting upset when asked to help with basic household things (trash, cooking etc.) when she’s been lounging around watching Netflix all day. Am I being reasonable or am I a misogynist? How do you deal with one person having significantly more free time than the other?

likehelpful

I keep making stupid minor mistakes at work lately presumely cause I’ve been so burnt out, and my senior is constantly mad at me, which made me want to avoid the dirty work even more… I really should care but is it bad that I don’t really care anymore

like

Any big law associates high risk for COVID nervous about going back to the office even after you’re vaccinated? I just don’t see how a firm can require 100% of people to vaccinate so nervous about the people I’d be around

like

How do you handle the next day after being up until 4am the night before on a deal? My other deal teams don’t know I was up so late, but obviously I’m going to be much slower in the morning. It sounds whiny to say “sorry for the delay I was up all night” when everyone else is also so busy...

like

Leaving after one year to another biglaw firm?

like

How many billable hours in a month does it take for you to think you are billing a lot?

like

How did you give notice you were lateraling to people you like? Particularly if you haven't been there that long?

I'm lateraling to another firm because frankly I think the management of this one is terrible, but the people (and individual partners) I actually work with are awesome. I've only been here for about 18 months, so I imagine that short time frame will make it extra awkward 😬

like

Hi boys & girls!

Joined a big firm (Big4) not long a go and starting to feel like I got a good grip on my current work.

I've always been very technical, so I think that the only thing I am missing now is making sales. (I really wanna make partner)

Can any seasoned lawyer share tips and materials (i.e. books) which can help?

Would it be a good idea to join a Social Club where potential clients spend time? (gym/tennis/paddel/events)

Any advice welcome!

like

I’m so f*cking scared of fucking something up, getting fired and then being unemployable…

like

What monetary goal/target are you telling yourself to hit before quitting big law?

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