I’m a first-year in a transactional practice group and I seem to not be getting as much work as another first-year that was hired with me. Things are cyclical and there are times where I bill 14 hour days and days where I bill nothing. I have concerns because my colleague seems to be constantly being pulled into work for attorneys in my section and if I ask them for work, the answer is “I’ll let you know.” Just an FYI, I had a rough start in the beginning but I redeemed myself by learning fast.

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

Constantly reach out via email asking for work. If you have to cc your managing partner do it. Have a way to prove up your efforts of trying to get more billable work.

like

Yeahp. And if you cc supervising partner there’s more chance they’ll stop hogging work and try to look like team players.

like

I’m also a junior and have had a similar experience. My tips are to reach out to a senior associate for work instead of a partner, they sometimes have a better perspective of what work is appropriate for you. Also get a senior associate in your corner that will watch out for you. I have a couple of senior associates that I check in with concerning my work load. Always save your emails and responses of ask for work to. It is a nice CYA technique to prove you’ve reached out. As for the cyclical work, everyone has their stop and go moments. It completely normal, enjoy them when you can!

like

Any thoughts on this would be helpful. I oscillate between being concerned for my career to being relaxed about it.

Related Posts

like

Hi everyone, unfortunately I was recently affected by a layoff at my company. About 30% of their marketing department along with other departments were all let go. I have 3+ professional experience with product marketing, digital marketing, and event management. If you know of anyone looking for marketing specialists or just want to network in general let me know. I would love to connect!

like

Hi Friends,

If I receive a counter offer from Company A and I reject an offer from another company say Company B after signing it, will I be blacklisted from Company B for rejecting the offer??

Please advise

like

What should I do if I’m working 60 billable hours but my director is telling me to bill 40? Scared he will fire me if I report this. Please help

likefunny

Tell me about what your favorite editor does that makes him so great, or your worst edit experience and how they blew it?

Also: mix sessions

What experience or knowledge do you need to transfer from core tax to transaction tax?

like
funnylike

Any copywriters looking for a partner? In an AD with 4 years experience in Havas, Ogilvy and another independent agency.

like

Question for a crowd with good negotiation skills...my sibling is marrying someone of a different faith. My mom is freaking out and doesn’t want to go to the wedding. How can I resolve this?

There are few opportunities that help Black women to get the mentorship we need to move up in our careers. The ADVERTISING Club of New York I’mPart Women Fellowship is one of those opportunities.

I’m an alumni of the fellowship (2018) and feel free to reach out to me with questions or if you want to hear about my experience. 💜

🗓 Deadline: June 17

A fellowship to support mid-level female professionals by providing them with tools to navigate to the next career level.

like

What is the probation period in Bosch ?

If i join in December , will there any increment in April ? Or anniversary hike like tcs used to provide?

like

Does anyone teach in class elementary, middle, or high school and also teaches college level? If so, how did you get the college level job? I have a masters and specialist degree and teach in class. I also want to teach college level online but have a hard time either finding a position available or applying. I’m now in the middle of my doctorate degree though it’ll be another year before I’m done.

like

How many PTOs we have in project delivery model? Today was my first day and I could not find this information anywhere.

like

What is the best way to accept a promotion and then negotiate a higher salary?

like

Anyone up for a virtual summertime meal?

like

Anyone else find it weird for their male boss to WhatsApp you asking about how you are (prior to your due date and prior to giving birth)? He has my private WhatsApp because he insisted and I stupidly in hindsight obliged. Just wish I knew how to politely get out of this. I figured I'd email HR like they told me once I gave birth and at some point email him as a courtesy :/ i live in Germany so am already on mat leave hence why he doesn't know yet if I've given birth.

like

I am a life-long bibliophile. I think this is because my parents read books to me all the time. Do you think this is common anymore?

like

Anybody from Oliver Wyman in Toronto willing to chat? Thanks in advance!

like

Oak park vs. Evanston - thoughts?

Additional Posts in Big Law

Is it okay that I’ve been a slow junior as we’re hours away from closing? I’m trying to be proactive and available to cross things off the list but I’m SLOW: takes me long enough that they do it themselves (even though this wasn’t an issue earlier in the deal) and even on quick tasks or emails, they respond to it before I can click send. There’s also so much about closing that I don’t understand and I feel like I’m bothering the higher-ups on the team whenever I ask. *end anxiety post*

like

Anyone else hoping for that H1B this year?

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

Any of you partners or partnership track people start off as bad associates and then get it together a few years in? Trying to figure out if/ how I can get better at this.

like

New associate and our firm is slowly returning to the office. I really like my work from home setup that includes an ultra wide monitor and a another monitor in portrait mode. Would it be frowned upon to replicate this in my office?

like

Started at a new firm earlier this year. Made a couple of not so small errors I haven’t made since I was a junior, and I’m very worried I’ll get the boot during the annual review. Anyone know what signs I should be looking for?

like

Any insight on what a 2012 lateral NEP should expect in the package at a v20? Anything specific to ask for?

like

I know not directly related to Biglaw. Could someone help me get a gauge on AML/Compliance salaries in NYC? Could you please provide “City, Firm or Bank, Title, Salary” and any helpful tips? Currently in the interview process for a Manager position at an AML consulting firm. I’m trying to figure out where the market stands for Manager / Director all in comp for AML?

like

Those that left in-house to go back to big law, why’d you leave? Do you regret it? Did you lose your WLB when you went back?

like

Associates who are still working from home: we are talking about communicating and connecting with associates. I would appreciate input from people who feel their firms are handling these issues really well. (Cont. in comments)

like

Lateraled to a new state and studying for the bar (licensed elsewhere). Firm only gave me 3 weeks to study so just now starting. My partner doesn’t “get it” and is struggling to understand why this is all-encompassing. Any advice for getting him to understand what I need these next few weeks?

like

Anyone know anything about Frankfurt Kurnit Trademark and Branding Group??? Considering a lowball offer but would like to know about office vibes...thanks in advance!!!

like

Work has recently picked up, and I now have 3 live deals with regular morning meetings. As a junior associate, what should I do when I see semi-urgent emails when I am on a meeting for another matter taking notes?

like

Anyone else just sitting around waiting for the ax to drop? I'm a soon to be 2nd year corporate associate who has seen work completely dry up. My utilization held pretty steady around 50% immediately after shutdown, but August was below 15 billables with no appreciable work in the pipeline. Aside from letting people know I'm available and doing pro-bono/CLE, it's starting to feel like a serious "covidcation" leading to termination.

like

If biglaw makes so much money, why dont most partners retire at like 50?

like

What should you prepare for a transactional lateral conflicts check? Do you have to have prepare a deal sheet for every deal you worked in?

like

Heard that Baker McKenzie has a tax practice group. Can anyone provide more information on this company and referrals? JD and currently in big 4 doing transfer pricing, looking to transition

like

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

how to be a lawyer if you can barely use a computer help

likefunny

Is there any reason to come into the office if my entire work is outside of my local office and the office is generally empty? The only partner in my office works remotely. I’m a midlevel with high hours and a great in-office setup. I end up coming in about once per week.

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