Associates 1-3 years, are you handling everything in your matters or do perform the substantive drafting of briefs, memos, pleadings and then the partner finishes it off? I’m trying to understand if I should be deeper in the files as a second year associate.

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I’m a first year. Can’t answer because I have no idea wtf I’m doing at all.

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Substantive drafting with final review from the partner is what I have experienced the most. I am starting to handle little matters on my own, but generally not entire cases.

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I'm 3 years in. Doing everything. The only thing I have not done yet is take/defend expert depos.

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Highly dependent on market and firm. I started in ID at a non-major market firm. Took my first depo a week into practice. My second and third year I moved to an upper AM100 firm and handled my own cases for the most part with partner oversight as a “check-in” and handled all depos. Fourth year I moved to Big 4 handling L&E in secondary market. I currently handle most of the day to day, all the briefing (of course the partner reviews) but I haven’t taken or defended a depo since coming here. But I have learned a tremendous amount still. Soak it all in don’t worry about what you are or aren’t doing yet. Fine tune your basic legal skills.

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This is highly dependent on the partner with whom you work, so I recommend having a conversation with the partner(s).

Seven months in and I finally got my own case.

Started handling substantive tasks (with some oversight) during year 2, including depositions, briefs, and oral argument. Got my own cases in year 3. Been running wild since then... Solo small claims trials in year 2, first chair jury trial in year 4, solo jury trial in year 5. My firm uses a sink or swim approach. 🤷 But I'm at a Midwest, midsize firm.

Starting out years 1-3, I did almost all the substantive work and the partner reviewed/revised/approved before it went out. By the end of the first year, they trusted me enough that the revisions were minimal and they were okay with getting my draft an hour or two before filing. Now that I’m a partner, I work to train the associates who work for me the same way and give them substantive responsibility for running the case, with my direction and supervision.
If you can anticipate next steps and start volunteering or offering to help with them, that should go a long way in getting deeper into files.

2 years in, and I’m doing most of what’s on my cases. My senior or the partner reviews and revises my work a bit then it goes out. Generally, i’m the point of contact on my cases and, for the most part, run them. It’s been nice because I’ve been able to get deposition experience and solo run mediations.

I work at a plaintiffs side firm though which is 100% different than my experience on defense where the partner had full control and did not relinquish it because he needs to maintain his book. My partner is kind of free reign, whatever cases I sign up, I run and they oversee to make sure I’m not blundering. It’s easier when you’ve been with your team at least a few years and know what’s required or expected.

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