First-year here. Started in October and just can’t stay busy. Averaging about 100-110 hours a month, with a few busy weeks here and there. This is with me reaching out to the staffing partners and other partners directly. Just keep getting told “the work will come” or “I’ll keep you in mind”.

Other first years in my PG seem to be in the same position but obviously can’t say for sure. I think my firm just might be slow generally. Curious if I should be already be worried.

What’s your favorite part of the M&A life cycle to work on and why? What about least favorite?

I’m posting this here instead of my usual Big Law bowl because I’m guessing there are people here who will understand. I just need to vent. I am married to a wonderful man who has a young son. My husband is the kindest, most patient and supportive man I’ve ever met other than my dear late grandfather. He is saintly. But the chaos that surrounds him hurts me. I am the primary breadwinner and far out earn my husband and my stepson’s bio mom. I have always put pressure on myself to succeed (Cont.)

Fill in the blank: When guys want to impress a girl, they say “I was to show my ______ to you”

Hi all,
I onboarded to capgemini yesterday and today I completed email setup. However, I'm not able to access talent page from mobile/personal laptop. Can anyone help me?

Hey Guys,
I am trying to upload my payslips in bgv portal of capgem but it is throwing an error that data is insufficient and hence I am not able to submit. Also my lwd in current firm is still 10 days away so I can only provide them with my payslips for now. There is an option to select Yes if still haven't received other docs. But once I select that option I am unable to submit those payslips as well could someone please help

L&E Arbitration folks -- Has anyone ever argued that the JAMS Consumer and Employment Minimum Standards of Procedural Fairness ought to apply to a claim? JAMS declined to apply the Standards on the grounds that the individual is an independent contractor. FWIW, the individual is classified as an IC under some laws and an Employee under others.

What’s been the sentiment on MARA? Is the blip gone?

I already sent my scores to Sloan through ETS but decided to not submit scores. I see a “delete” option in the app- will that ensure adcoms doesn’t know that I ever sent in a score?

How quickly do we have to commit after decisions are released (e.g, for Wharton, Haas, Booth, Columbia, Kellogg)? TIA!

VML Sr Art Director position assuming 7-10 years experience. What’s a fair salary expectation for the Midwest? Chicago/Kansas City area.

What will be the case if client doesn't like my performance.

Will they release me from there project before contract ends or any action in terms of termination from job will be taken by client or Nagarro.

Just wanted to know, has anyone went through this kind of situation???

There is a thread on the main bowl about which level is the hardest and the consensus seems to be director level is the most difficult one. Are some of the things said there true of IFS directors too?

Are women always catty in this line of work? Came from IT/tech and my experience was entirely different…

Terrifying scope of Capitol attack becoming clearer as Washington locks down for Biden's inauguration

What are some tips to establish a healthy balance of work/life and avoid burn out? I find that it’s so easy to start obsessing over the emails and work that is still left to be done.

Which beach to visit?

Over heard today about bad behavior in biglaw : if you had to explain to someone’s parents or loved ones how you treated them and you’d be unable to do so without feeling awkward or embarrassed, you are the problem.

I’m a true night-owl that begins thinking clearly about 5 PM. I often send projects out after midnight. Early morning emails and calls are an adventure. Has anyone else had to work through this issue? Fight it or embrace it?

I'm up for election next year. Kind of feel like I'm in Squid Game right now.

I've signed on to this, I'm really close to the end, but at a certain point I feel like I just want to check out of the game (and go in-house or something).

Lateral that just went through first bonus season with the firm. Not in a major market but workload is comparable to major markets. Surprised at how low the bonus was. I received solid reviews and my annualized hours were well above the requirement. Should I approach anyone about this? Wondering if it is worth addressing or if it could compromise my standing. Thanks in advance!

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?

How do you justify a $100k pay cut to go in house?

Working on some law firm applications tonight and it sucks that I know that I am so capable and have a strong work ethic but firms can’t see beyond grades or the fact that I didn’t go to a t14 law school or prestigious undergrad. I’ve worked twice as hard and feel like I’ve barely even gotten half as much. It’s discouraging sometimes especially because I worked so hard with pretty much no guidance (first gen, poc, low-income) to get into college and do well and then get into a t30 law school

Any recommended books to read prior to beginning a summer associate position? Transactional/ Corporate & Finance

Curious - would you consider a lateral move to a lower ranked firm if the practice group is higher ranked than at your current firm? In other words what’s more important - firm or practice group ranking?

How can I sell my 2 years of clerkship as valuable experience for corporate work? I would like to get credit for at least one year (at least in salary, if I can’t in seniority). I know for litigation they are more clearly valued and linked to that type of work, but I have reconsidered my interests and now am thinking of going into corp. However, I don’t want to feel like I wasted 2 years clerking (which I don’t feel like that, but I have to convince an employer of that too). Any help or insight?

Random partner asked a litigation-related question to a partner I frequently work with (i’m a transactional associate). My partner cc’d me and said for me to briefly look. Asked the library. They got me a great case. Sent it back. Now the random partner is asking for more cases in another circuit.

I haven’t done caselaw research since 1L and this isn’t even my practice… wtf do I do (I am fully utilized in my normal work and have a few deals closing soon…)

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

Currently clerking, but have accepted a post-clerkship offer at a biglaw firm. Thoughts on whether the firm would give me a referral bonus if I refer one of my friends and they get hired before I officially start?

When BigLaw attorneys interview students, how soon afterward do they give feedback? What kind of feedback do you give as an interviewer at your firm (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, thumbs up, thumbs down, veto)? Does everyone get in a room or do you just submit the forms to one hiring partner, and/or to a black box? If you don't click with the student, what would make you still give them a thumbs up? Sorry if my questions are a little neurotic... !

I’m have a new theory about why juniors always feel like idiots and wanted to see if anyone else thinks this makes sense. I’m a third year, and am the most junior person all of my teams (generally me, a senior or two, and a partner or two), and I always feel like I’m messing something up. Is this just because I never get to work with other juniors and don’t see the mistakes they make, and that it’s relatively normal? And FWIW I went to HYS and I’ve had a clerkship so it’s not like I’m not smart

If we all make a fuss about returning to the office do you think the standard will change?

Best firms for healthcare transactions?

When should a stub start getting worried about not having much work and low billable hours?
I’ve asked for work but no luck. I know they say this is normal for a stub but when should I start getting worried and consider looking for exit options? Fyi, I like my practice group, so I don’t want to change to a different group within my firm, hence would have to lateral, if I have to. Also, other co-1st years are churning in high hours.

Why do many associates at top tier firms stay to make Partner when they can go in-house in tech and make around the same, even long term? For example, you can make near 400-550k in-house at Google, Netflix, FB with 8-10 years of exp. More senior than that in-house, it can easily break $1M.

Former big law associate here who burned out. Now a corporate inhouse counsel.

Been recovering and considering going back to actual legal practice.

I feel I need a new practice area.

One that impacts people’s lives and is meaningful, but where you don’t have to deal with disturbing facts and personal tragedies.

Any suggestions?