Got asked to help with a “2nd Level” doc review for a huge case. Seems like the firm was begging for about 50 associates. Staffing partner asked if I can help. My hours haven’t been all that great but I just started 6 months ago. First quarter is allegedly slow based on what I heard from partners. Idk if other associates in my group were asked. I said yes since I need to make my hours this year, but I wonder if this is a bad sign? Also, I’m not in litigation.

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Why is this a bad sign? You’ve just been gifted like an easy 500 hours from heaven right on your desk. Hands to the sky and please be thankful.

These doc review projects more often than not exceed the original scope (you find something wrong, then something else and another thing) and they need a truckload of associates to manage it. Contrary to popular belief, 2nd level doc review is actually not that menial of a task because your decisions directly impact the outcome of the investigation and whether you will find what you are looking for.

Do it the best you can and you’ll get a lot of hamster wheel points.

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Only reason why I asked is because a partner casually mentioned it when I first started hinting that it could be bad for my “growth” and a “bad” sign.

However, the staffing partner was trying to sell me to say yes.

It’s a little confusing and wanted to get a third part perspective. I’m happily taking the hours. I just want to make sure I’m not missing anything.

Might be yes, might be no. Mainly, they need warm bodies to bless the documents. Just do it, get the hours, and see what happens next.

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What is your actual practice group? Are others at your year level in your practice group busy?

But if you’re slow nothing wrong with picking up some easyish hours in a different group.

So you're a non-litigation associate asked to jump on a litigation doc review?

Interesting. Never heard of that happening. But as others have said, it is easy hours with relatively low downside risk. Just make sure it doesn't end up sucking up so much of your time that you end up losing out on opportunities to develop the skills that are relevant to your actual desired practice area.

Not a bad sign…they need help and you’re an associate with availability to help. It’s not unheard of for a very junior transactional associate to help on large doc review projects.

3rd year. I lateraled as a third year, but took a class cut to a second year. So, technically a 4th year. No problems with the team either.

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