I have been reading posts from newer associates about bad things partners have done or said to them and I think it could be fun for some of us more senior lawyers in the bowl to tell stories of mean things partners did or said to us when we were new associates. Hopefully it stays mostly light and not horrible things.

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

Old school judge in Las Vegas back in the 90’s crumpled up a motion from an attorney he hated, fashioned it into a ball, threw it across the courtroom and hit said attorney in the head. Dead silence as the attorney just packed up his brief case and walked out. Nothing ever came from it, other than an amazing story.

like

About 15 years ago, I was working as a paralegal and had sent a partner a partially-completed document with a note that I needed to know A, B, C to complete it. Didn’t hear anything for an hour or two, so I decided to go through the client’s file to piece this information together myself and sent him an updated version noting where I filled in the blanks and where I found this information. Partner sent the incomplete *first* document to the client (actually the clients secretary). I noticed the mistake and followed up with the correct version, cc’ing the partner, saying “Hi please use this updated version instead.”

Within 2 minutes the partner came STORMING into my office, saying that I was “f—-in stupid!!!” and that I was a paralegal and how dare I overstep my authority like that!!! I was just so confused because I thought I was being proactive and doing my job by correcting his mistake and not wasting the clients time signing the wrong thing. It took me a bit to realize that he was so upset because I should have gone to **him** so that he could correct himself in front of the client rather than have me fix it and “make him look bad”. Even though I am 99% sure the client did not even think twice about it. To this day I am very sensitive to bringing up mistakes directly with lawyers, in private with no one around, no matter how tiny, because you never know how someone will react. Beware the wrath of egos of BigLaw partners - some of which know NO BOUNDS!

like
Recent IconRecent

I once had a partner literally take my brief and fashion it into a paper air plane and throw it back into my office. The only feedback on the whole thing was “this is a paper-airplane rewrite the whole thing”

likefunny

Airplane is impressive, my managing partner just balled it up and threw it at my office mate’s head once. While he was sitting at the desk a former partner had literally died on (they moved it to the associates’ area due to the creepy factor, but were too frugal to actually throw it in the trash.)

likefunny

Oh, boy. I came up in the 90s under a bunch of hard core old school litigation cowboys, so I have an unlimited supply of stories of objects (staplers, pencils, a book, etc) being thrown at me and having partners scream at me, including one who yelled “I’m gonna fire you them I’m gonna f*****g kill you.” The fact that I had made a dumb mistake that almost resulted in him being held in contempt by a British court was mitigating, but I still thought the “kill” part was somewhat intemperate.

But my most memorable early partner “feedback” story involves constructive criticism of my writing style. A few months after I started my first job in private practice I was assigned to write a motion to dismiss a securities case pending before the judge I had just finished clerking for. I wrote it in EXACTLY the style I knew would appeal to the judge - spare, direct, and berift of adjectives, adverbs, and recriminations.

A few days after I send the partner my first draft, he called me down to his office. When I arrived he thrust the draft at me. It was slathered with his trademark illegible chicken scratch edits. On the front page he had written “This is boring and needs more color.” I flipped to page two and tried to make out his proposed insertion at the beginning for the section labeled “summary of material allegations.” “Could it be?,” I thought. “No. He is kinda crazy but not THAT crazy.” Upon further study I concluded that he had in fact written “Plaintiff’s counsel fucks sheep” as the first sentence in the fact summary. After letting me twist for a bit he added, “You can do it your own way if you want but you do need to liven it up a bit.”

likefunny

This is my dream.

Had a partner with an ‘open-door’ policy slam a door in my face as he yelled, “No more questions!”

likefunny

I had a partner send me an email on a Friday afternoon asking me to very urgently put together some financing documents for her to review by Monday - I worked hard all weekend and got everything to her Sunday night. Next Friday afternoon I get an email from the same partner asking me if I can help on an "urgent" project to put together some financing documents - im a bit annoyed shes asking me to work all weekend AGAIN, but when I read the email/LOI I realize its the same project she asked me to complete the week before, urgently, last Friday afternoon (that she forgot about)...

likefunny

given the topic I thought the punchline was gonna be "I received it, now actually do it this time."

like

I got "did you even read this?" on a vendor contract I was supposed to review. (I mean, I had! But apparently not well.)

like

I had a partner approach me on the way into a meeting and tell me he needed my assistance urgently on a project. Told him I was about to hop into a meeting but asked him to email details and I would take care of it ASAP afterwards. Didn’t see anything in my mailbox and he wasn’t answering calls so assumed it was handled. Found out a couple hours later he had sent it to another female associate (with a similar skin tone but who otherwise looks nothing like me or practices in the same area) and he had been harassing her for an answer. Once we sorted it out it amongst ourselves and confronted him with the mistake he changed his tune...

like

I once had a case where OC argued federal law does not apply to local school districts. I cited Brown as saying they can be. Notes from the partner came back with, "Be meaner. They'll waste time in rage." Ened up stating, "It would seem counsel has never reviewed Brown." Sure enough earned a page of raging rebuke.

like

I've seen federal reporters thrown across the room, which gives away both how old-school my first firm was (hard copies of things) and how awful some of the leadership was. The paper airplane story is way better.

like

There needs to be more humanity in law.

like

When I was an *unpaid* intern, waiting on bar results, I had a partner review one of the first motions I ever drafted. It was met with with "What is the sh*t?" And him (being a 65 year old cantakerous old man who was a former partner at a huge law firm in So Cal) slamming his arms into his armchair. He asked me why I had such a "stupid look on my face" and continued to berate me for about 10 minutes. Him and I actually grew to pretty close after a year or so, and I consider him my mentor. Trial by fire as an intern, happy to say I made it and moved on.

likehelpful

I have so many good stories but one of the final straws that led to me leaving my old firm was when a partner asked me to urgently do some research on a particular issue and write memo for a case I had primarily handled but they had done a limited amount of “oversight” on. So...I did just that and found a case that was 100% on point in matter of 1.5 hours. Only thing was the case was detailed so if the partner didn’t want to have to read the memo and THEN read a 15 page opinion, I needed to include an explanation and short summary of it in the memo itself. I do this and keep the entire thing to a 2 pages and it is sent to the partner within 2 hours of the request. Next thing I know, I’m getting blasted by that junior partner who cc’d the managing partner on the email which started off with “Are you kidding me?” and was followed by how they couldn’t bill for the time it took me to write it and the time it took them to read it and that I need to “pay attention” in all caps. So, next time I had an assignment like that from that same partner, I responded with about 3 sentences of a general answer followed by the typical CYA sentence of “There appears to be much more detailed information on specific sub-issues, blah blah blah...so please let me know if you would prefer a full length memo with further analysis.” Got reamed out for that one too because it wasn’t long enough or detailed and was told how the entire firm was losing faith that I could competently do my job if I didn’t know how to write a memo. They ended that email with “If I have to do things myself why do we need you here?”

I went and told the MP that this was a “damned if I do, damned if I don’t situation” and I was trying to correct my prior “mistakes”. Left that firm about 2 weeks later and never looked back.

like

About a month after I passed the bar, a senior associate at my firm approached me about helping her with some research. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the research question was SUPER technical (securities). Senior associate wasn’t a securities lawyer either, so she didn’t recognize the complexity. I went to her a day later to say I was confused and would appreciate extra guidance. She asked me to send her what I had so she could evaluate first, which i did. A couple mins later she forwarded my exact email to the partner in charge. The partner later showed up in my office and berated me for a solid 20 mins about how stupid I was and how ashamed I should feel. I was so new that I didn’t feel like I could push back, so I just sat there and took it. About a year later, partner brought up my poor work during a partner meeting. Apparently, multiple partners ripped him a new one for expecting a first year to evaluate that type of issue. Needless to say, we have never worked together again.

like

Never had abuse my way because I’ve always believed that no one is above being told to go screw themselves, partner or not.

Related Posts

Has anyone rented (not bought) a co-op apartment? After submitting to the board how long did it take for your approval?

like

For those with significant others who are healthcare workers, how do they react when you are having / had a bad day? I feel like they think they have it 1000x worse (which could most certainly be true) but our job is also stressful/challenging just in a different way? Agree?

like

Yoe: 10
Package : same
Cts or tcs???

like

What would you choose & why?

Post Photo
like
like

What would you do if the president asked you to be on the Coronavirus task force? Contd.

Post Photo
likefunny

Best BK neighborhoods for single, 30 yo, woman?

like

Looking for a specific Scott Galloway email/post:
Does anyone know the mercy/malice post with the image "when to respond to an email....now/never"
I believe it was in an image of text and not written in the paragraphs. Can anyone point me to this? Thanks.

like
like

How different is a Software Engineer's pay wrt. a Salesforce developer in big shots like Google, Microsoft and also lets say few good startups..

I have heard they get paid 30- 40 lpa with 6-7 YOE.

Any ideas?

like

Any Dallas fishes here!
27 year old Male this side !

Hey i am new here. Looking for some referrals for Model Risk analyst /Market risk / or Banking Analyst Positions.

Please like the post .

Have a gread day.

like

Anyone ever read OC’s brief and then stare at your reply brief for an hour wondering what in the world you got yourself into?

likefunny

Hi All,

Has any of the recent joiners joining date at KPMG Global Services been rescheduled by the HR?
Mine has been rescheduled from 21st Nov to 5th Dec because of some back end data issue in the HR system. Is this normal?
Please suggest.

like

Tips for getting out of a quarantine-induced funk? It’s been a tough week...and it’s only Monday

like

Cctc:20.5 fixed
Exp:7years
Waiting for results from final round.

What can I give as expected CTC in JPMC during HR discussion?

like

How much time do you spend alone during the weekends ? I usually don’t like being alone, so I try to plan something with my friends and feel sad if I don’t have any plans. It could be just going to the park but I highly depend on company of other people. With spring around the corner, I feel the pressure to make friends/ start dating so that I can do something. Am I weird ?

like

Applied for a SA role within A&M digital & technology practice. After a first round of interviews which was successful, I was invited to a VC case study assessment of 2 hours with 1 hour prep. Can someone please share some insights on what is expected to achieve on this case study ? What kind of deliverable and best way to approach this?
NB, this is for a European office.
Regards,

like

Additional Posts in Law

Starting to research areas I want to be in and I am wondering if anyone has insight into the culture of different markets: NYC, DC, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Philly. Barred in NY, NJ & PA, family in NC.

like

My favorite office activity: canceling meetings.

like

Hi, everyone! I am extremely passionate about issues such as climate change and gun violence, and how money in politics leads to inaction and disinformation regarding these issues. Does anyone have any insight as to where I should be looking for employment opportunities? Practice areas, the type of organization, traditional vs. non-traditional law jobs? Any help or guidance would be appreciated. I really want to make a change. Thank you!

like

I’m on a staycation week but work (and the overall situation) has been so stressful these past 5 months all I can think about is all the hours I’m not billing. What do attorneys on vacation do?

like

Looking to find a recruiter to work with to help with my job search. Any suggestions? In the Nashville area if it matters. Thanks!!

like

Looking to make a move. Working with two different recruiters (I reached out to 1, the other reached out to me). Each ask what else I have in the pipeline? Do I tell them abt other firms Ive met with?

like

Anyone ever read OC’s brief and then stare at your reply brief for an hour wondering what in the world you got yourself into?

likefunny

Leadership advice for young associates?

like

Is there any PR issues incorporating/organizing a law firm in DE? If the principal place of business may be elsewhere? Attroneys are licensed in all states that they will practice in. No attroneys are licensed in DE.

like

Dumb question : what is the difference between a blackline and a redline? I’ve always used redline. Also, anyone know how to do this “blackline” in Workshare compare?

like

Are the people you know complying with CDC and other guidance about social distancing, especially in the evenings?(Continued in comments)

like

Advice requested: When you were a legal intern or a summer, what type of projects did you like best? What was most helpful to you when you received a new assignment? Anything you wish your mentor did/didn’t do? I’m working with my first ever intern and trying to structure projects so they know that the work is important and relevant to the business, and why, and to provide enough background info on the area of law so they don’t spin wheels on the basics. What else should I be doing?

likehelpful

Low on hours but brought in a client?

like

I’ve been in house my entire career (6 years) and I am thinking about transferring to big law. I feel the experience would sharpen key skills and compensation wise would work out better. Has anyone made this transition before? Is it too late?

like

I am trying to create a list of matters for the last 3 years for a conflicts check (firm requires listing every single party involved) and it is QUITE the process. Any ideas on how to make it less burdensome?

like

Why did you become a lawyer? Curious about the motivations, outside of helping people or making good money.

likesmart

Has anyone watched The Practice? Just came across this 90s legal drama show on Hulu and I love it!

like

I took adderall while I was studying for the bar and it really helped. I don’t have a prescription but am wondering if this likely means I have undiagnosed ADHD but don’t know how to bring this up to my doctor. I definitely have trouble focusing in general and have always been pretty dozey/aloof but have somehow gotten by and am now a third year associate who is doing okay without it. Do you think getting Aderall could help even though I’m doing fine? Maybe I’ll go from good associate to great

like

Looking for a job in Omaha. Appreciate any leads!

like

How much pro bono do you typically bill per year? Have you been called out on it?

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