How do you handle feeling bad for inconveniencing juniors? I’m a third year and got tasked at 7 PM last night (Saturday) with handling an emergency, which included staffing first years. I emailed all first years and asked for help if they were available. None of them were free, so I did it myself. It was a very late night and I’m frustrated at the partner for making me staff them when I have no authority. And at myself for being passive in my email asking for help.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

This is not a 9-5, M-F job. Their salary is $215K in part because the job places a lot of demands on their time. While I do think mid levels and seniors should be considerate when reaching out for help from juniors or assigning them work, if their help is needed on work that is urgent, you shouldn’t feel bad about reaching out. Being too soft on this will result in you having to do more than you should.

likesmartfunny

I will be “available” on the weekend as far as I am at home and not otherwise occupied. If you ask me to work on an emergency project on the weekend, I’m not going to cancel plans to do so. I will tell people “I am busy from x to x time today, will get to this after that”. If that means I stay up late that night that’s fine, but no way am I going to miss an event/plan I already made unless someone’s life is on the line.

like

This is insane to me. On a weekend where I was otherwise not staffed to work on a deal over the weekend, I could be doing any manner of things on a Saturday afternoon / evening. Including a weekend trip, or a hike, or a concert, or going to have dinner with my family, or literally anything else. Drinking is definitely on the table. There is no amount of money in the world that warrants the kind of control over my life where I don’t get to enjoy my Saturday night without fear of being on call every weekend.

likesmart

My wife would be calling a marriage counselor for some joint therapy if I took a call in the middle of a dinner out. That is just so beyond the pale. I might send a quick email saying that I will respond at X time, but no way would I leave a dinner…

like
Recent IconRecent

Fwiw I’m a first year and I just assume anyone above me who asks me to do anything has the authority to do so

like

This is the correct assumption

If the partner delegated the authority for you to staff juniors then you do have authority. When tasked to help juniors that’s essentially them letting you known you have that limited authority to guide them and delegate the work to them. I wouldn’t feel bad, but at the same time, I would have asked the partner if this is truly an urgent matter that had to be attended to before Monday.

like

I asked follow-up questions to make sure it was a Saturday night task (and couldn’t be done Sunday morning, or better yet, Monday). It was a true emergency. I guess I don’t know how to make it known to first years that I have the authority.. I get the sense that if the partner had emailed them they would have all cancelled plans and jumped online (not that it doesn’t suck, it really does).

like

It’s also very easy to say no or ignore when you email the entire group. Individual emails will work better. However, I would not expect, even as a first year, to have sudden emergency work on the weekend on a matter I am not already staffed on, which is what this sounds like. I’d help out a favorite partner if they asked but they don’t ask (at my firm). If already staffed, that’s a different matter, whatever comes up is yours. It sounds like you were already staffed on this matter? Or at least the partner asked you individually?

like

So force people to work on weekends after a 50 hour week? Nice. THIS is why people are suicidal in big law and it’s so toxic because they can never unplug and are forced to work . It seems like the 100 or 200k salary is alot but not when you break it down AFTER taxes and into the amount of Hours it’s like 50 ish an hour at 2400 if you are at 200k. If you are at less, it’s peanuts and might as well open up your own shop and charge $100 an hour and work 2k hours on your OWN time.

like

Yeah I would’ve cc’d the partner on an ask like this.

like

Would a phone call have been better in this scenario? Also, is this a practice group where this sort of thing is the norm (i.e., should they reasonably expect to be on call on a Saturday evening)? Tbqh, and this is probably unique to my own group, we never have Saturday night “truly” unexpected fire drills and if someone emailed or called me Saturday night there’s a 90% chance I am (1) not sober, or (2) with family far away from a computer. Different if we’re expecting the possibility of an incoming fire drill.

like

Yeah I said this below. I’m a second year and generally fine with working weekends unless I’m at a wedding or something, but if someone emailed me at 7 pm asking for help with a matter/client I wasn’t even staffed on, and it wasn’t a weekend I was already working, I probably wouldn’t respond right away. If I’m between deals or my deals are moving slowly then I don’t really expect weekend work and am not checking my phone more frequently than once an hour or so. Basically, if there’s no reason for me to expect weekend work I’m probably at dinner or drinking or something and just not checking my phone frequently.

Also I’m in corporate so not really a chill practice area but if we aren’t near signing or closing it’s pretty rare to have an emergency needing immediate attention on Saturday night.

like

Also fwiw, I would not have responded on a Saturday evening (phone call or email). Nothing I work on has true emergencies though, just clients with unreasonable expectations. So pushing to deal with Sunday (which is when I would have answered) or Monday would not be a big deal.
I’m also a third year. I might have been more likely to respond sooner as a first year when I was still in the “trying to impress” mode.

like

First Year here:

9 times out of 10 I will do everything in my power to help the third year in this situation.

There are a couple third years/mid-levels though who are nightmares/bullies/assholes who frankly I won’t help unless absolutely forced to. And even then, I’ll do exactly the job asked and won’t take ownership of anything further. I’ll resist as much as possible. Not saying OP is this, but it’s not always the case that the Third Year is worth saving.

Again though, vast majority of the time I’ll get on it and try to help. I’ll also work proactively to alleviate the pressure I anticipate coming down the pipe.

Question: Do Partners know which mid levels are nightmares to their juniors?

like

Keep a partner copied on things like this!

likesmart

I’m just happy to see someone care!!!!

like

This!! OP i would love to with with you

I’m a second year and generally fine with working weekends unless I’m at a wedding or something, but if someone emailed me at 7 pm asking for help with a matter/client I wasn’t even staffed on, and it wasn’t a weekend I was already working, I probably wouldn’t respond right away. If I’m between deals or my deals are moving slowly then I don’t really expect weekend work and am not checking my phone more frequently than once an hour or so. Basically, if there’s no reason for me to expect weekend work I’m probably at dinner or drinking or something and just not checking my phone frequently. Sorry you were in this position.

like

There is zero chance I am taking an emergency matter off of an ask from a 3rd year. This should have been a partner email.

like

Something I try to do (that I think is actually working out pretty well), is to only reference timing/deadline in two circumstances: (1) it’s ASAP or (2) “not a huge rush” / “sometime today, could someone..” Just due to the general fast-paced/unpredictable nature of the M&A world, the majority of my requests need to get back to me within a couple of hours or around 9 or 10ish so I can review before I go to bed (depending on the type of assignment — am I asking for a couple of duped out joinders or an initial draft of a signing checklist). I’d like people to generally assume I want a reasonably prompt turnaround unless I specify otherwise because it saves me from having to be that annoying midlevel while also boxing them into a turnaround time that is actually less flexible than what I need or want and could end up with them rushing the work product

like

A25, same! If you don’t give me a timeline, the odds of me assuming you want it the same day are very low. Same week, maybe.

like

Related Posts

@12 YOE, how much salary should expect in EY @cybersecurity domain without any cybersecurity certification?

like
like

Hi , I am interviewing for System Database Administrator- Oracle at Kyndryl location Brno Czech Republic. I have 7 yoe. What yearly salary should I ask for?

like

Networking question here. A retired partner at the firm I used to work out reached out to me recently about attending an afternoon during the week (b4 4/30) with one of his long time clients. The partner and I have kept in touch since I joined my new firm and I feel like his invitation is a great networking opportunity since the client (who I have worked with before) is on a number of boards. Torn as how to request off as an S3. Could materialize to nothing but could be good for reconnecting.

like

Recruiter reached out about Hatch Advisory Energy and Infrastructure practice. Anyone have an idea regarding compensation and bonus for Hatch Engagement Manager?

like

Any legal in-house opening for 8 years experience person with in-house and law firm experience. How much salary should one expect in this field with 8 years experience. Please provide your inputs

Hi,

How is this designation. How is the work life balance, growth & internal hike in Schneider Electric . Also, what will be the in hand salary in this CTC. YOE - 6.8, Tech Stack - Salesforce. The HR literally argued & gave me the exact same CTC which I had already from another company. How is the work culture here . Location - Bangalore.

Thanks.

Post Photo
like

Does anyone else feel guilty after withdrawing from a case? (Withdrew after Client ignored my legal advise and failed to comply with the Court’s Orders) but now I feel like I abandoned her.

like

Anyone know base and bonus ranges for Chicago-based Compliance Analysts at mid-sized asset managers?

Can anybody tell me, what would be the inhand salary ?

Post Photo
like

Hey folks,
In very first month salary will i be receiving only fixed pay or both (fixed+project allowance)??

What is the maximum salary range for application developer team lead in Accenture?
Relevant years experience 8
Total 10

Any idea the salary range for consultant at Deloitte in human capital in New York?

Hi there,
Need your advice!

Which one is better? - Western Digital or Arcadis

Skill - Oracle ERP Cloud Functional Consultant
YoE - 15
Salary - Same for both
Location - Same

Thanks

like

Can anyone give me any insight about EU LCT project in Accenture?

like

Based on one counter offer letter , LTI is ready to increase CTC from 12 lpa to 13 lpa. Does anyone know how much gratuity and pf amount will increase proportionately?
I need to calculate my monthly in hand salary

like

Assuming that I'm okay with a salary of 70K and more, and that I really don't want to work at a law firm. Is it going to be difficult for me to return to law with two years of experience and one year working in a legal adjacent role.

like

What makes a manger a good manager from a client perspective and those managed under the manager?

like

Guidehouse 🐠 on the healthcare team: What is the salary range for a Senior Associate? Ive looked online and it seems it can range anywhere from base $ 97,000 - 107? Any insights? Thanks

Hello,

I have got an offer from persistent systems and salary discussion is in progress.

I am going to be placed in some cloud BU. In which they are going to give training and allocate in projects which requires cloud expertise.

Any idea about that Unit?

Yoe - 6
Tech stack - .net + azure

like

More Posts

Has anyone here gone the digital course route? What platform did you use, and how did you monetize it?

like

Best cards in Canada for points?

like

Better alternatives to mint for understanding spending/spending categories over time?

like

Going to a wedding cocktail party and the attire is “preppy asshole” - what am I supposed to wear!?

funnylike

Does anyone have a good recommendation for CRM tool for small law firm? It needs to be specifically for law practice.

like

Has anyone gone to see a nutritionist? What was your experience like? Worth it?

like

Best coffee shops in the city to work from?

like

What is the market like now at big law firms after the salary increases? I am getting ready to leave my state clerkship and start applying to firms in NYC. I really don’t want to push it back any further but don’t want to waste my time networking and applying if it ultimately won’t yield anything.

like

Hi,

I have offer from Bosch.

Offer - 12.8lpa fixed + 1.2lpa variable +1lpa joining bonus (level 51)

YOE - 4.1

Current CTC - 10.7lpa

Should I negotiate to 14lpa fixed + 1lpa variable + 1lpa joining bonus.

will they revise my package?

Thanks in advance.

like

Can anybody recommend a therapist in FL who works with attorneys (and other just professionals) that can do telehealth appointments?

This is probably a dumb question, but do digital marketing agencies/owners of agencies have their own pr? Not for their clients, but someone who represents the actual agency?

like

Could y'all please like my comment so that I can DM. I am new here. Thank you in advance!

like

I don't have any friends in banglore. It is hard for me to find friends cause i am always that aloof kid who in addition is not straight so can't even bond with my teammates. How do people live like this. Even my flatmates don't talk . : (

like

Hello there, I need my slave to get more likes for DMs, so that she can hustle harder and afford me a backyard 🐶

Post Photo
likefunny

How much are Medical assistants in Texas make rn? I make $16.80/hr. I have the same duties of an LPN in the same position - and how should I go about asking for a raise?

like

How do I become more assertive at work? I keep getting this feedback. I don’t think I am a shy person, I am however an introvert and don’t go out of my way to interact with people. I do good work and believe it should speak for itself. My supervisor told me that this is not how it works in consulting. I am worried I will not be able to climb the ladder because of my personality. Any tips on how women on the more introverted side of the spectrum have made it in consulting?

like

Ladies-Have you ever been called a “hard to please and high maintenance” woman by men? I was recently called both by a man who after saying that immediately ended conversation. It’s been bothering me a lot and I don’t know how to deal with it. I only have high standards for myself I never impose those on anyone else, so really having a hard time dealing with this.

like

Anyone make a move to MBB LS arm?

like

Has Accenture started calling back its employees to office of all levels?

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

What’s the earliest one can get a decent offer in house? Say you’re a first year. Asking for a friend…

like

Any idea why some big law firms are not on Chambers Associate?

like

Corp/securities associate and lateraled to a 40-50 attorney firm earlier this year. I’m a non traditional candidate and considered a 3rd or 4th year and make $200k base. Waiting on raise/bonus info but can’t help but wonder if I could be making $100k more at a larger firm and working similar hours. I put a premium on the people I work with and have gotten a good rhythm here as well as built up a good rep so far. For reference I have billed avg. 180-200 hrs a month. Any insights?

likesmart

Anyone else sick of equity partners constantly telling their practice groups that the market is cooling off and everyone should step it up? I almost forwarded him the 5 recruiter/firm emails I received while on our weekly practice group call. Hilarious how firms are trying to reclaim the in control narrative with veiled threats.

likefunny

Any Antitrust Associates looking for a step up in pay/opportunities/brand? Market is insane for Antitrust M+A/merger review. I am working with multiple elite firms on filling positions. DM me.

like

What do you prefer: iManage or NetDocuments?

like

Do you feel bad going in the office at 10am? It's either that or I don't show up and wfh, but still feel a bit bad about it.

like

Has anyone successfully claimed that income from a NY big law firm is not NY income based on TSB-M-06(5)I (May 15, 2006)? I think that my situation meets all the factors necessary. I am going to claim that the income should be sourced from Texas—I worked out of the Houston office from time to time while there. I was in Texas for more than half the year.

likefunny

What’s the worst thing you’ve seen at the office Christmas party?

like

The general trend at my firm has been that most folks start work around 10 am. Even when going into the office, most arrive close that 10 am mark. Is this how it is with you? Or is this more of a NY thing?

like

Folks who've been able to score remote positions: did your offer letter for such a position specify that you would be able to work remotely? How (non)committal or contingent was the language? (Work remotely, subject to X, Y, Z)?

like

I’ve seen this rant a lot so I know we all have that one partner—but for the love of god can you just forward me the emails when you get it?? I see you got this urgent request over 10 days ago 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

likefunny

Any recommended places for suits for summer associates? Any places that should be off limits? Thanks.

like

There’s always a Delaware entity in every financing deal so there’s always a need for a Delaware opinion. Why don’t more big firms open tiny offices there and just keep that stuff in-house rather than refer it one the shops there? No offense to RLF, Dorsey, Morris Nichols, etc.

like

What does cap markets involve exactly?

like

What do you think? Is it ever okay to tell another senior associate that you are not their junior associate? My rate is 10% higher.

like

Does anyone have experience or insight as to how best to navigate receiving a large settlement bonus (not something that happens on a regular basis, and so is not “expected” income) while on fed student loan income based repayment plan? Next year they will bump up my monthly because my tax return reflects a higher income than my actual salary.

like

the main partner I work for hasn’t been giving me consistent enough work (or type I want) so while I work for him still on some deals, I’ve had to go and get other work from other partners. He doesn’t regularly check in on what I’m working on. He keeps volunteering me for projects without checking if I have capacity and if he expected to know everything I’m working on… he would’ve thought I was just doing nothing the last 2 months. I don’t know how to address this workload balancing with him!

like

Interviewing and if an office doesn’t have standing desks by now, I can’t do it. Is that too bougee? Are there many big law firms that still don’t have this?

likefunny

Had someone lateral into our firm as a fifth year (soon to be sixth). They were kind of a retool and went from small law to the firm I’m at. They are still learning a lot of basic stuff, and I think it’s weird that the firm hired someone at that level as a retool. They sometimes ask me for help with stuff, but I’m just getting annoyed at this point. Can I just say “no” since they’re about to be a mid/senior associate who should know all of this?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal