How many dispositive motions is a lot to write in a month? I’m a first year and I’ve done three MSJs and two MTDs (including a complex 50 page one) and I feel absolutely drained. That normal?

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In my experience that’s a lot. Especially for MSJs which require a fair bit of putting a record together.

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On the positive side, sounds like they think you’re talented. This happened to me in my first 2 years, partners felt I was the best associate so I got saddled with a lot of work. I’d practice the art of managing expectations and asking for extra time and explain how much work you already have assigned and see if you can delegate some work to other associates that’s less substantive and the more complex projects for yourself.

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Two. And I didn't do any dispositive drafting until I was a second year (biglaw) and even now that brief writing is my job 13 years out, I still usually don't work more than 2-3 a month.

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That’s def a lot - honestly more than 2-3 substantive filings a month is a lot IME especially if you’re a central member of the team

likesmart

Does your firm have a bank or did you draft from scratch?

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Some were pretty standard (SOL, etc) but others were pretty complex (DE securities case for ex).

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I just got done opposing 5 msjs, all set for hearing consecutively one week after the other. I killed myself for 2 months, but it’s done and with stellar results. Burn out is REAL. I feel you

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That’s a lot unless they’re really simple cases

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That is a lot, especially for a first year.

likesmart

That is definitely a LOT and not normal (especially if you’re in complex cases, but even if you’re not). Take a long weekend (as long as you don’t have any deadlines)! In all likelihood, nobody will even notice lol.

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It seems like a lot. It really depends on how complex the issues are. A single SJ motion could take a whole team several weeks in a really complex case. On the other hand, a very simple SJ or MTD could be cranked out by an associate in a couple days.

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That’s a lot. Like, even as a midlevel, I’d find that a lot and be demanding more assistance if I were the primary drafter of those.

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That’s super extreme.

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It’s a lot. But even if it was just one msj, if you’re drained, you’re drained. Everyone’s work stamina fluctuates based on the case, personal life, experience, etc.

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That’s a lot.

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Jeez. One MSJ takes me weeks unless it’s just a case with a small or straight forward record which is rare in my practice. I would definitely be drained with all of that.

Seems like a lot.

That’s a lot

Yeah 5 in a month is a lot. If that is all you are doing, it may be manageable but not so much otherwise.

It sounds like a lot, but it also sounds like you're good at them so they keep asking you to do them. Not every lawyer can write well. There is an attorney at my firm who does nothing put appellate briefs, and now he has his own practice group.

Keep grinding and make sure you save copies of your best ones as writing samples.

They dont have motions saved in the files? LOL ive done one or two MSJs in a week but bc thats all i did in that week lol. It depends on how much thinking it is. If its rubber stamped MTD:, i can do multiple in a day. If it requires research and nice words, then maybe 1-2 days per MTD/3-5 MSJs

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