Do you think our clients are aware of how little we train new associates and laterals? I can’t imagine they would be happy if they did. I also wonder whether it’s as bad compared to other industries as it seems. I can’t imagine a trucking company would hire someone who just got their drivers license to haul freight across the country and tell them to “figure it out” or “learn by doing”.

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They brought it on themselves. Used to be that clients would pay for the training. They knew young associates learned on the job and they’d still pay the bills. Now many insist on policies like not allowing any first-year associates to bill on their matters or refusing to pay for a junior to attend the deposition they helped the team prepare for. As a result they get far less experienced mid-levels and seniors taking longer to do the work while billing at higher rates.

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It would be better if Law school actually gave you experience to practice.

It’s doubly interesting because the “client” that you’re often interfacing with is in-house counsel, many of whom are obviously biglaw refugees. So…I mean, they’d have to know, right?

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Of course they know. Most of them came through the same system. And I’m sure they wouldn’t mind paying for juniors to learn on their dime if it wasn’t around $700 per hour to do it (which obviously isn’t the junior’s fault).

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Firm?

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Damn straight

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If they get the product they want, the only person adversely affected is stressed and terrified junior associate. And don’t nobody care about her!

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Do you ask American Airlines how much they trained their co-pilot?

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No but sometimes my internal emails to colleagues do…

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They are aware, they worked here too

Biglaw gets business by necessity not by choice

And we are probably the least needless expense of most of our clients. Blows my mind to deal with bankers who have clearly put hundreds of hours into a project to come up with a slide deck no one looks at for more than 5 minutes

TLDR you’re right and it’s hilarious

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Idk I feel like we train our associates pretty well. Laterals not so much but they should know the drill. Most of the training is trial by fire anyway but there’s still oversight from seniors so idk why clients would care if they’re still getting good work product and the partner is billing all of the first years time spinning their wheels

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Kirkland (and I know what you’re probably thinking but it’s true haha!)

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