As a mid-senior level associate in litigation/investigations/arbitration, do you feel like what you’re currently doing is actually holding you back in terms of professional/personal development? We spend so much time going over the nittiest and grittiest of details that I feel like I’m not actually learning anything new anymore or expanding my skill set. I work in a super lean team and as a 6th year I’m still doing a lot of the grunt work. Is this normal?

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

I’m not in investigations, but I was absolutely having this conversation with myself earlier today. I got stuck with a bunch of low value, low complexity, single plaintiff cases a couple of years ago after a slew of associates left mid-pandemic. I’m largely left alone to manage them myself, which is a learning experience (I guess). But they keep me stupidly busy. I can’t take on more complex career-building matters because I’m stuck on the grind all the time. I don’t build relationships with partners because they’re busy working in cases that actually have value. I haven’t been able to build higher level litigation skills or develop a practice specialty.

I feel like a 3rd year in 6th year clown makeup. 🤡

like

I can relate. And it absolutely scares me when I see junior and senior partners alike who also partake in some of the grunt work, albeit at a higher level like supervising it…

like

8th year in investigations here. I probably would have said the same thing 2 years ago. I sort of felt like I plateaued for a few years, but recently things have a changed a lot. I’ve started truly running my matters and really refining my client interactions and case strategy.

like

That’s good to know. Care to share more on why things have changed? Maybe it’s me just not caring about the work or the clients too much but it’s really hard to care when you feel like what you’re doing is just not that impactful or interesting anymore. So perhaps it’s a “me” issue…

Related Posts

Me. Every single day. Since I started practicing.

Post Photo
likefunnyuplifting

Hi All,

I recently obtained my law degree and currently work for a BigLaw law firm as an assistant. I want to make the transition to the firm’s Litigation department because I want to practice international arbitration. How do I approach my HR department as well as the litigation bosses about transitioning to litigation? Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks

like

What plaintiff’s firms are known for offering their attorneys the highest salary?

likefunny

Urgent openings in LTI!!
Dm for referrals,

Post Photo

Hello fishes Is there any opening positions there for business management graduate In mumbai Please let me know It would be a great help from your side Accenture Tata Consultancy Deloitte KPMG

like

Is there a “rate calculator” out there? Could’ve sworn I’ve seen one before. You would plug in your desired salary and it would translate it into what your day rate is.

like
like

I just found out my new coworker has ADHD. While that doesn’t bother me, I have never worked with someone with ADHD. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

I’m currently working in a DEI role but have some interest in switching to Employee Relations. Anyone in ER that can share pros/cons of the field?

like

Hello Fishes, Can please someone tell me what are some of the nodal drop points for cabs for Morgan Stanley employees? Need to know for reallocation planning. Thanks Morgan Stanley

like
like

Hi need referral for few job postings at MS.

like

Hi Fishes,
I am not sure whether this is the right portal or not still I am going to go ahead with my question. Does anyone know a good online course to enhance coding skills (in R and Python) from the point of view of credit risk Analytics, modelling.

like

Technically, I'm not a college student anymore because I just graduated in December. I am having trouble finding jobs within my field (Communications with little experience in marketing). I've gotten plenty of interviews, but none of them have made it past the first formal interview (phone screening then interview). Any advice?

like

Any Data Scientists out here working at Nagarro...?

Is there anything you wish you knew about civil engineering before deciding on your degree?

like

Desi folks , do you really regret your marriage ? What is that annoys you most ?

I’m leaving for a vacation and packing my bags. This little guy won’t leave my side knowing I’m packing a suitcase. It’s breaking my heart.

Post Photo
like

Safe to see friends this weekend?

likefunny

Additional Posts in Big Law

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

Should I disclose or hide the fact that I am on maternity leave? I have an interview with a big law firm in NY. I’m currently working for a law firm in Atlanta. I imagine I will be asked whether I have returned to the office or working remotely from NY. My husband and I have been living in New York since the pandemic to be near family. My current firm asked everyone to go back last week but since I am on leave I didn’t have to. I want to avoid lying without jeopardizing my chances.

like

Anyone have slow months where you burn through a lot of your allotted pro bono/professional development hours to keep hitting minimum daily hours? The past few weeks have been like this for me. Should I be concerned (I.e., will this reflect poorly on me, come review time? Will I have dug myself too much of a hole if I keep burning my non-billable hours?) I’ve been asking partners if I can assist in any projects so I can fill my plate, but I’ve only gotten small (4-6 hour) tasks handed my way.

like

Which is more painful: watching litigators draft contracts or transactional attorneys litigate?

likefunny

Any Atomic Habit readers here? I’m brainstorming identity-based habits for two things I want to change:

-I want to bill more hours, so my goal is to become the type of person who bills at least 8 a day
-I want to drink less alcohol, so my goal is to become the type of person who drinks occasionally

Neither of these feel that helpful. Any one have suggestions for other identity-based goals that get at these changes I want to make?

like

Paralegals: what’s your least favorite thing about working with attorneys?

likefunny

Does someone have a good punch list of things to do before giving notice at a firm?

like

Just started in Biglaw as a first year - one of the partners made a passing remark that he couldn’t remember my PQE but thinks I’m “the same as X associate”. Went on LinkedIn and saw that X associate is a third year. How do I gently correct this misconception in a future conversation?

like

Texans. Just got an offer from a V10 to relocate down and do litigation. Excited but the offer was 20k below market. Talked to managing partner and they said it’s the market in Houston so if I can find other firms paying full market they will raise it since I’ll be the only jr. - mid level. So give me names, who pays cravath in Houston?

like

Does anyone know what Kirkland’s billing year is? Aka when do hours start again?

like

Associate at an AmLaw 100 firm doing patent work. I applied to a part time masters program to try to pivot to a different technical field (still doing patent work, but in something that interests me more than what I’m doing now). Do I try to stick it out at the firm while getting the masters, ask for a reduced hours schedule, or get a part time, non-legal job so I can focus more on the program (one year).

like

What responsibilities should a litigation associate have by their second year?

like

Do you give the office manager (who does assist you with admin tasks from time to time) a christmas present (aka cash)? I have an admin assistant so that's an obvious yes but I don't know how to handle the office manager or receptionist!

like

Maybe I’m just realizing I’m lazy… but do y’all ever get assigned an actual, hard research or drafting project and realize you don’t like the effort? Like plz let me go back to doc review.

likefunny

What does it mean if there’s a NEP at the firm who’s been there for a long time (20+ years), but never got promoted to EP? Never held leadership roles too. Does it usually mean EPs does not like the NEP enough to get promoted?

The NEP has a book of business, though no idea how much it brings in.

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

2d year lit associate at Amlaw 100 here.

Could someone elaborate on the truism that most people in my position won't be at the firm after a few years?

If I do good work, am well liked, and don't lateral or leave myself, what sort of things might cause me to be shown the door? If the reason is partnership, when do I/those around me start truly deciding whether or not I'm partner track?

Noting that I like my firm a lot--what's the expected outcome here?

Thanks!

like

I’m debating to join Locke Lord Dallas in transactional. I’m looking to stay at the firm long term and would appreciate any information y’all have. Please be as candid as possible.

like

It’s not that I don’t have any motivation, it’s just that the motivation that I do have right now is aimed at not working...

Post Photo
like

Anyone work in tech and blockchain? What exactly do you do?

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