I have been a legal assistant/paralegal for 14 years. I recently just got a job and I’ve been here for 5 months and I am miserable. My coworkers are mean girls and I just don’t feel like I really fit in. I dont like bouncing around from place to place as I have history in the companies I have worked with and dont like burning any bridges. However, Im not happy here and would like to know how can I say this to a future employer without turning them off?

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

Your happiness is tantamount. Get out asap.

like

I’m having this same experience! I am 64 with 20 years big law experience, laid off due to RIF. I have accepted three small firm roles and have left each one after less than two months. None of them are on my resume. When questioned during interviews I simply say I am waiting for a role and culture that are the right fit. Wishing you the best.

like

Thank you so much!! Its sort of disappointing when you have worked in the law field and certain individuals mess up the experience. I just go to work , stay off the radar and go home. I hope I still find a great place & I hope the same is true for you 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

like
Recent IconRecent

Get out asap and don’t put it on your resume

likesmart

Life’s too short. Get out.

like

If interviewers ask why you are leaving, you could always say something about it isn't the right culture fit and how you are looking for something that is more like (collaborative, team environment, collegial, etc.)

like

Thank you very much!!!

100% agree with the others to get out if you're able, the only one you can change it you because most places like that don't change,

like

Now you know why a lot of people in the legal industry are wrongfully judged as being “job hoppers.” Too many toxic law firms in this industry. It’s beyond repulsive.

like

This is the most accurate description of what I am seeing. Especially in Florida, it’s a revolving door! I have been a legal assistant for so many years and its so sad to see this field is going down!!

like

I would give it a couple more months. Things could change in your favor but if they don’t then you can make your move.

like

Thank you for the advice!

Am with Associate 1. Get out, asap and don't look back. Not worth adding to your resume and/or later explaining to others.

like

Thank you!

Mean girls says a lot about your character...welcome to the real world

I applied to the position and got the job!

like

Related Posts

Have a Creative Director who’s bad for your mental health? How do you cope?

like

How does one go about working with a legal recruiter? I’m connected to a few on LinkedIn but don’t want to reach out to a recruiter that my current firm has a relationship with....

likesmart

I received an offer from a boutique litigation firm and a large law firm on the same day! I want to take a little time to consider both. What’s the typical time frame to respond?

like

How do you handle people complaining about store policies? I don't make the rules, but I don't want to be rude

like

What things can I do to market myself? I’m switching from ID to PI in January and we get half the fees on cases we being in so I’d like to be on the radar of not only my own friends and family, but the local legal community and the community in general.

like

I'm going to go on a shopping spree at Whole Foods tonight just because I can.

like

I’m interviewing for a marketing manager role at a company based in SF. I’m genuinely excited about the role and the company but we’ve yet to discuss salary. I expect to be asked at some point, but my research has given me a VERY broad range. So I’m here to do a bit more research. I’ve got 5 very relevant years of experience and will have an associate manager directly reporting to me. Are there any marketers out there who can share their salaries in similar regions and experience levels?

like
like

Which companies are offering permanent wfh to a CA ?

like

Very random, but does anyone know how to remove the smell of smoke from an apartment/furniture? Had a microwave incident recently and there was a lot of smoke and I worry the smell won’t go away.

like

Just learned about Monte Carlo analysis thru a colleague , where can I find out about other analytic methodologies?

like

To do an ERA or not before transfer is the question. My clinic said currently the recommendation is to only do an ERA with multiple transfer fails, but I’ve read about ERA’s for those with recurrent pregnancy loss as well. Anyone go through this experience?

likehelpful
like

Anyone from CTS please refer me as I could see lots of openings right now but I am not getting calls if I applied through Naukri or indeed.

like

Hi,

Today I will be having an interview with Hexaware for data science role. I appreciate for sharing key points to crack it, and how well is the work culture & is it WFH ?

Business Transformation consulting project with a consumer products leader recently ended in NYC and looking for my next role

A company was pretty aggressively recruiting me until 4 interviews in — no movement. I haven’t heard back in a week and a half about next steps. Should I assume I won’t be moving forward any longer? I emailed the recruiter a few days ago to check in, and no response. (She typically replies very quickly and I was told I’m one of the top two final candidates 😕)

Does anyone have experience interviewing with Deloitte Internal Services? I had my final interview a week and a half ago, and received positive feedback throughout. The hiring manager had positive things to say and mentioned they hoped to make a decision by the end of last week. It’s now Friday the week after. The role still shows as “Interviews in Process.” We did discuss potential start dates, but no salary. Any experience with receiving offers for an internal services role? Is this common?

like

I have heard very less flow of work in PWC AC’s. Does this mean recession impact has begun and they can start terminating employees on bench???

like

Additional Posts in Law

I am a new (lateral) associate at a small firm where everyone currently works from the office. When I started, I wasn’t told specific firm hours. I’ve tried to figure out when to come and go based upon when the partners arrive and leave, but their schedules are very inconsistent. The other associates don’t have helpful guidance for me. Assuming that if I ask the partners they’ll say to use my discretion, what are reasonable hours to keep?

like

Second year associate here. How should I deal with the one partner in my practice group who seems to exclusively give me lousy assignments that we’ll never get paid for? I get great work from everyone else.

like

Firm announced flexible come and go as you see fit approach to coming back to office. Partner I work for said I need to be in office 4-5 days a week anyway. Thoughts?

likeuplifting

Anyone know when Ch. 7 BKs must close by? Is this changed by when there are adversary proceedings (alleged fraudulent transfers made to a bank for CC payments)? Asking for my friend who is unfortunately involved bc of his parents, who are the debtors (he isn’t a defendant or a debtor in this, but the payments were made to a CC in his name—a CC he didnt know was opened in his name).

Its in Texas, and the initial BK filing was made about 23 months ago. TIA!

like

Rising 2L here…Just found out yesterday that one of my top target law firms is not participating in OCIs (they don’t have offices in my state). Any advice on the best way to move forward with them? Still planning to apply, just want to know what I should be doing. Thanks!

like

Does anyone know how litigation finance works on the plaintiff side? If someone wanted to bring a lawsuit against their former employer would a general contingency arrangement with a plaintiff’s firm make sense? Or would one need to find funding and then contact a plaintiff’s firm to actually handle the case? I’m a transactional lawyer, so this is out of my wheelhouse.

like

Horrible anxiety about considering a new job....
I was one of the big firm stealth layoffs in covid and joined a boutique firm in Sept. They came sort of close to matching my salary but I moved to SoCal and have an opportunity to jump back in to big law and get $100k raise. The people at the small firm are so nice, but hours are nuts and if I’m going to work this much, I might as well get paid more, right? Is it too soon? How do you tell them when the managing partner took you under his wing?

like

Parental leave: do you have to be at a company or firm for a year before being eligible to take parental leave? Are there any companies/firms that don't have this requirement?

like

Those who are voluntarily returning to the office — how often are you going and what days seem to work for you? Looking to slowly incorporate a few days here and there for change of scenery etc. — will add there is no pressure to do so (yet).

like

How do you recommend dealing with a partner senior to you trying to do anything possible to push you out, force you to quit, or get you fired for years? Owner knows my abilities and likes me (contd)

like

Just had a hearing on my motion to compel where OC told the judge we hadn’t conferred before filing the motion. Not only did I attempt to confer on 3 separate dates, I attached the emails and his response that he refused to confer to my motion. Judge didn’t care, as soon as she heard him say we hadn’t conferred she denied the motion. Not asking a question, just needed to vent.

like

Does anyone know the starting salary for Jackson Lewis in the firm's Connecticut office, as well as the billable hours requirement?

like

Does anyone enjoy lender work? If so, what about it did you find appealing? I’ve somehow been saddled with all the lender work at my firm (despite never having expressed an interest in it and having no experience with it) and it’s miserable. Having said that, our other practice areas are slowing down significantly and I don’t know if I want to rock the boat. Any advice would be much appreciated!

like

For associates who have lateraled in the last 6 months or so, what made you decide to move? Has your situation improved since moving? I’m a transactional mid-level & I’ve interviewed with some great firms recently. I’m struggling to get excited though…it just seems like no matter where I go I’ll be overworked & under appreciated. Hoping there are some positive stories out there to give me hope. Haha

like

Is there an appropriate way to turn down an assignment because it is non-billable? Two of the partners I work for keep asking me to write client bulletins and articles with them, which is great, but now I’m starting to worry about meeting my billable hours requirement.

like

I’m on the Board of entity A (volunteer basis) and I’ll have an interview for a legal counsel position at entity B. Entity A and B have a partnership such that me working for entity B will create conflict of interest. Should I disclose my relationship with entity A during the initial interview with entity B’s hiring manager? If so, what should I say? I don’t want my volunteer job at entity A potentially jeopardizes my full-time job at entity B.

like

How terrible is workers comp defense? Got laid off and I’m assessing what jobs I want to go after and which ones are backups if I get desperate.

like

What is a typical starting rate that young attorneys charge for per diem side work? First or second year lawyers should ask for what? Client is a big firm.

like

What is the expectation at your firms about coming into work after making your billable hours requirement? Asking especially for those who do not get a bonus per extra hour billed over the minimum.

like

How do you properly vet a law firm? I feel the associates I speak with talk up the firm and aren’t always candid.

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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