Been in the BigLaw game a long time but does anyone ever get sick of the ruthlessness of other lawyers in their firms? The backstabbing, bullying, blaming and stepping over everyone else to look good. Sometimes I can’t deal with it especially when it’s from people I thought I trusted. Sometimes I wonder if I had a more alpha male personality if I wouldn’t get treated like this all the time.

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Sounds like a pretty crappy culture at your firm. Not all BigLaw firms are like that.

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I can envision a firm where people aren’t stepping over each other and throwing each other under the bus but haven’t had the pleasure of working at such a place

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I’ve not found things to rise to the level of backstabbing/bullying/blaming/stepping over, but am kind of breaking down from the indifference of people I’ve put a decade plus of work in with, getting passed over for opportunities all the time etc.

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Yea I feel this

I feel bad they are less evolved than me. It’s desperate

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Yes so many people absolutely seeped in insecurity that they feel like they have to tear everybody else down, take credit for the work of others, and pile on pressure on the top service partners and top associates to the point of them rage quitting or having near mental breakdowns.

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Alpha male personality is nothing you should aspire for.

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Never was my style and probably never will be. I’m just a nerdy tax guy

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Yes. I too did not experience it as an associate but I have as a partner at two large global law firms. Last firm it was management harassing partners, including using a new subjective compensation system to penalize and pressure out mature age partners and those who didn’t kiss 💋 their ass. I moved to a NewLaw firm where there are no office politics or mismanagement. I’m so happy! ( compensation is also much better because it’s merit / formula based).

likehelpful

People are def ruthless / backstabbers for no reason and it makes me pity them. I just pride myself on not stooping to their level and doing it too because in the long run it’s not worth it. Those of us who remain nice we all recognize and look out for each other in the industry which is a good club to be in. Never change.

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Happens among the associates here. It sucks

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And, to be clear, this post is about origination credit and comp. Not a tax thing

The key is to find a firm that has a comp structure that rewards teamwork and discourages sharp elbows. I’m in BL at a truly kind firm. I’ll make less as a partner than at the cutthroat firms, and that’s exactly how I like it 😌

I’ve never encountered this at the 3 biglaw firms I’ve been at so I would say it’s a problem of your firm culture. I have, however, noticed it with lawyers on the other side of deals so am very aware it goes on at other firms. When the market gets better (assuming you are transactional) I would look elsewhere.

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