Can’t tell if Im just not cut out for this or if my firm just isn’t training us enough/more senior attorneys aren’t supportive enough. Im no Einstein but I consider myself a quick learner and generally able to grasp difficult concepts, but I swear 90% of the time I’m so confused, and asking ppl above for help usually makes it more confusing. I’ve become much slower and more anxious as a second year than first. Can’t eat, can’t sleep and feel like I’m failing my teams. Idk how to fix it.

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I believe you’re probably lacking mentorship, guidance and training. You wouldn’t have made it this far if you were not intelligent. I have gone through this as well and once I found the right teachers I have thrived. It’s not you!

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Everyone goes through this. Most law firms DON'T have a good training program.

You have to find allies yourself.

I also recommend using AI

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Deep breath. You’re doing fine. All of us felt some level of that at the beginning. Some tips to move forward and lessen the force of the anxiety:
— Your teams don’t think you are failing them. If you are responsive, available, and trying your best, people will forgive a lot in terms of work product. The only junior attorneys I have negative thoughts about are those that don’t communicate or don’t work hard—but if their work product was perfect, I wouldn’t have a job!
—Mistakes are going to happen. Take responsibility for mistakes, and try not to make the same mistake twice, but a certain number of mistakes are priced in to the human experience (and all the more so the junior associate experience).
—Things get easier the more you do them. Biglaw training sucks, because no one teaches you how to do a task. You just do it as well as you can, see how it gets fixed, and do it better next time.
—Don’t forget you just work there. It’s biglaw; it’s capitalism, not a calling. That means good enough is good enough, and you don’t get paid more for being the best associate at the firm. So give yourself a break.
—Consider therapy. More of us do it than you think, and I couldn’t do this job without it.

Mostly, hang in there. It won’t always feel like this.

likeupliftinghelpful

Screenshotting this to look back at in the future 🥹 thank you

I went through the same thing… ended up laterally to a clerkship. Might go back to a transactional role again in a year but don’t know yet.

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I experienced this too as a new associate. You need to make friends with other associate attorneys and have them show you how to write ✍️ motions and get things done.

Firms are terrible at training people. You must be proactive and get help from experienced associates.

Look for allies in the firm.

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I am sorry that you are experiencing this, but lawyers have been this way since Malbury v. Madison.

You are obviously working with some TOXIC jerk offs! Don't take it personally... My current supervisor is a BITCH!

When you work in a law firm, it's a trial by fire. Have you tried using Practical Guidance topics in Westlaw or Lexis+ AI?

You might be in the wrong practice area. It shouldn’t be that hard

I’m in m&a/pe… which shouldn’t be the most difficult for sure but feels very “generalist” like you have to know a little bit of everything to do it successfully. And are expected to have background knowledge in finance/corporate that goes way beyond what we learned for law school/the bar but… maybe you’re right.

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