I'm a new attorney who did law school a little later on in life. Starting at my first firm next week. What do you all wish you knew on your first day of working in corporate law?

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

That we’re not out here saving lives. Work hard, work fast, work diligently but remember that (i) we are very highly paid paper-pushers and adjust your attitude accordingly, (ii) mistakes happen and can usually be fixed, and (iii) the first couple of years in the industry is for learning and that not understanding concepts, lingo, or procedures is OK as long as you keep learning and growing. Law is not easy but can be a fulfilling career - I wish you the best!

like

I lateraled as an associate to IM at a VC firm after having worked in a VC/M&A practice group.

That you are a concierge at the Four Seasons, a waiter at Alinea.

likefunny

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If doing an m&a transaction, schedule regular check-ins with your senior attorney to keep up to date on the movement of the deal. Always review the edits / changes in the work product, and don’t be afraid to clarify why something was changed (I find this the best way to learn). Also - expect that your senior/ partner will make edits. So long as you didn’t miss anything big/ material, the smaller tweaks to language is just them adding to the docs.

70% of the job is just being organized, being attentive/ responsive.

Best of luck

like

It’s super hard to go from feeling like you knew what you were doing in your old profession to feeling like an idiot baby lawyer. Remember what it was like the first years when you were still learning, it’s a huge curve. There are days I think of going back to my former profession just because I could do it with my eyes closed but I remind myself I did this for the challenge.

likehelpful

This is great advice.

I wish I had known how important networking would be for my career. My first day in corporate law, I was so focused on learning the technical skills that I neglected to build relationships with my colleagues. If I had known how beneficial it would be to foster those connections, I would have put more effort into it from the beginning.

like

Assume that everyone senior to you is going to take themselves much more seriously than they should. The spread between how important someone thinks they are and how important they actually are decreases as lawyers get more senior, but you have to understand that it doesn’t matter if you know that what you’re doing isn’t saving lives if the people you are working for act as though they are saving lives.

likefunny

So effing true!!

Your training and professional development is entirely in your hands. No one else is thinking about your training, but you are expected to keep up.

like

1) Bill all your time.
2) Do good work timely. No typos, no missed deadlines or asking for an extension at the 11th hour (when it was foreseeable that you’d need more time). Spend time at the onset assessing how long something will take.
3) Be responsive to emails and proactive. Plan for the incompetence of others, never assume they’ll submit good work product on time. Follow up frequently but professionally. If no response, escalate it early enough so you’ll still get what you need. That CYA email is a paper shield for blown deliverables. When things go wrong, people try to shift blame to others. It’s much simpler to make sure it doesn’t go wrong than to try to win at that game every time.
4) Ask questions, but more like office hours. Do some initial research yourself (but don’t waste a ton of time spinning your wheels) so you can ask nuanced questions instead of expecting them to just explain. Ask upfront, not after hours or the day something is due.
5) Identify problems along with your proposed solution (and be ready with rationale). Even if you’re wrong, you’re ahead of those who just flag things and say “what do I do?”

like

Dont be fast, be efficient. Bill your hours with a timer so you can capture everything, and dont be scared to put more time in on things in the beginning while you are learning. Partners would rather you spend more time on something at first than not enough and have to tell you to revise it, or do it themselves.

like

I wish I had known how to navigate the corporate hierarchy and understand the different roles and responsibilities of those above and below me. Knowing the corporate culture and the unspoken rules of the workplace would have been beneficial, understanding the different ways to interact and collaborate with colleagues. Lastly, I wish I had been better prepared to take on the challenging tasks and workload that comes with working in corporate law.

like

Don’t trust anyone with information you don’t want broadcast to the world.

like

I wish I knew that no matter how much the firm says they care about EDI, pro bono, and work-life balance, most partners only care about billables and nothing else.

like

That Billables will run my life.

like

Utilize the paralegals and practice support resources

like

In the end, all we are doing does not really matter.

This helps a lot to develop resilience in face of the stress that you will sure be facing.

We aren’t saving lives
Partners are usually p lousy people managers

Related Posts

A dynamic professional with 7.6 years of extensive experience in Business Development, P&L Management, Operations Management, Training and Recruitment, Guest or Client Servicing, Sales, Banking and Finance, General Administration across the Hospitality Industry.

Seeking a position where I can make the best utilization of my knowledge & skills that will help me grow & develop along with the organization

like

I have 2 offers : EY India

EY INDIA - 15 LPA FIXED + 2.2 L BONUS + 50K JB
LTI - 18 LPA FIXED + 1 L retirals + 75k JB

Which one should I join in terms of WLB, growth etc.

YOE - 3.2
Tech - Servicenow

Please suggest, it's URGENT!!!!

like

Hi, looking for some general advice please. 4 years litigation experience, 2 years international commercial. Really interested in getting into l&e, but no idea where to start? Any particular courses, newsletters, groups, other? Thank you!

like

Is a move to PE from MBB worth it?

like

Any tips for someone trying to break into consulting in the GCC from the US? Applying blindly hasn't worked out. Head hunter recommendations would be great as well!

like

I used to work at Edelman, and would like to pursue my career in ESG or corporate sustainability communications. Any recommendations (both in-house or agencies) in the UK?

#PR #Communications #help

like

Anyone work in the Healthcare industry? I'm looking into joining Healthcare. I'm currently a Senior in tax compliance.

like

Litigators that transitioned to M&A/PE early on in their career, how did you do it? I have an educational finance background, but no work experience in that area (just some general business consulting) & trying to get my foot in the door…

like
like

MBA or MHRM? Trying to decide between the 2 , looking for advice from my fellow HR folks! Which do you think it’s more valuable for and HT professional?

like

Currently a post-MBA returning consultant at MBB. What firms should I target with significant Private Equity Ops groups or value teams? Have to leave after 2 years in consulting because I was sponsored but want to make sure that I understand the point at which I should be reaching out, etc.

like

Hi all!!!! Hope u guys are doing gud. I am currently working as a Scout Teleoperator. I want to move in the field of data science in Amazon either as Data Analyst or Data Scientist. Please guide me how to approach. I am learning Data Science from Simplilearn course. Thanks in advance

like

Thinking of quitting my FT job to go freelance, to provide more flexibility on where I live. I’ve gotten offers, but I’m always nervous to quit FT for a short term gig. What’s the best way to drum up work after that first one? And as a freelancer do you feel like you still get pieces for your book?

like

Hi, I'm looking for a mentor so I can pivot from e&i to software and devops. I love figuring out how things work. To me it is all a big mysterious puzzle to figure out and make work. I love seeing the pieces click together and suddenly begin doing something productive.

I'm currently learning python for self directed tasks and am working on skills related to OOP and software design patterns as well as studying to renew my CCNP Collaboration and working towards a CCNA DevNet.

like

Hi..for a business analyst of 6 yoe what are the technical courses that can be taken up?

S&P Global Hey IHS markit S&P global people's, what should be the designation for yoe :5 , tech stack .net developer with angular They offered level 6, Software Engineer designation at Markit India services pvt Ltd Is it good or designation is regarded Current designation in Capgemini is Associate Consultant IHS Markit S&P Global

like

How do I pivot from a broker to any job in tech?

like

What do you think are the new things to learn in data engineering in Azure platform

Seeking direction in selecting the most cost effective and fastest route to become an MLS. I have a international STEM BSc (2014), 3 years of research lab experience, 1 year hospital lab experience and 2.5 years veterinary diagnostics experience. I live in Michigan and was told by two schools that my credits have to be less than five years old but I think they are trying to get me to pay more by staying in school for four years. Can anyone offer some guidance? Does my prior exp hold no value?

like

Who knows about Goosehead insurances work culture. 5 min into sourcing I’m seeing some discouraging statistics about who they move up faster vs who they don’t. I have a interview this week and I don’t know if I should even continue forward. My main goal is growth and if it’s going to be an unfair environment then that’s a no go.

like

More Posts

Anyone use Ashwagandha? What type/brand?

like

I think deep dish pizza is overrated.

likefunny

After years of consciously dating toxic men because I was afraid of commitment, I’ve finally found a man who treats me well who I can imagine spending the rest of my life with. I’ve never been happier than I have in the last month.

It’s a wonderful feeling.

likeuplifting

I work part time for a startup for equity and am attending an event on behalf of the startup. I’ve only been here a few months and asked multiple times to have a prep meeting with my boss. He instead sent me a 15 page document outlining 40 questions I should be able to answer the day before the event.
I’m so incredibly stressed as I don’t want to show up unprepared and make myself look bad. Idk how to make light of this situation at this point

likefunny

What role “generally” pays more at Google? Product Manager or Sales Engineer?

likehelpful

where my canadians at? how strict is covid there? my friend is in toronto for work and the hotel found out he has covid. now they’re locking him in his room. is that legal? if so, what’s the protocol to break quarantine? hotel wouldn’t answer 🫠

likeuplifting

Hello everyone, I am currently working in Norther Trust operation as Financial Analyst in Fund Accounting(NAV) , on side I am doing PG Program in IB online . I am looking for Role in IB at entry level job , I have total a experience of 1.7 years in Norther Trust.

Hi BNY employees,

What was your last rating ? Hike % & bonus % of CTC ?

Provide your input in comment.

like

Koi Michigan wala punjabi hai ithe?

What’s the best way to get out of small law? I am a junior partner and don’t want to be running a law firm by myself in 5-10 years. The mid-level partners are not business-savvy so I don’t see myself wanting to partner with them either. I want to move to a larger firm.

like

Worst stories about leaving your firm to go elsewhere? How did the old firm take it

Hi. Can I bounce some ideas for a spot off one of ya?

I have been in Risk Advisory for about 5 years but I have been feeling extremely bored with the work and I am currently contemplating my next career move. What are realistic career opportunities for me excluding technical accounting, internal audit and compliance? Would obtaining an MBA help my career prospects?

like

Has anyone heard of BVOH before? Seems like they’re a boutique accounting/finance recruiting firm but i’m a bit hesitant to respond to the recruiter that contacted me.

like

How do I leave audit? At times I feel trapped thinking to myself there is no way life is suppose to be like this. How do you find the right opportunity? Everyone says network. But, how do I network? Do I just reach out to my peers asking if they’re hiring? I would love some stories on how others ended up leaving and used their network to find a job they enjoyed doing.

like

Hii Fishes,
I got offered from Societe Generale GSC and Pwc SDC, can anyone help me to choose a better option among these in terms of better work life balance and job security? CTC is kind of same in both Org. I appreciate help on these.

like

EY offered manager 1 in FSO business transformations team with 150k base with no signing bonus. 7 YOE in NYC. Is this a good offer?

like

HCOL audit SM looking to leave big 4. What should be my comp expectation?

like

What advisory positions in big four best translates from audit? I am interested in advisory but want to make sure I am capable of doing the position. Any advice on position that best translates from audit experience?

like

Hey Boschlers,
Is tomorrow holiday??

Additional Posts in Corporate Transactional Law

Why provide redlines against the original draft instead of the last turn when sending drafts to opposite counsel?! This profession makes no sense.

like

Anyone else having a very slow start to February?

like

Does anyone have insights into corporate group at Saul Ewing? Culture, pay etc.?

like

I have an asset purchase of a retail store transaction. Seller is keeping the second location. Seller is licensing the name from the buyer. The licensing agreement is supposed to contain provisions so that the seller cannot offer promotions or discounts that the buyer does not also offer (i.e., seller cannot undercut buyer's pricing). I know very little about antitrust. Can anyone give me some suggestions how to enforceably draft this agreement, or is this arrangement impossible?

like

What is Citis C12 equivalence in TD? ( I am in Citi Canada and have offer of L10 at TD Canada)

likehelpful

Do any real estate lawyers out there know of/can direct me to a ROFO agreement to purchase commercial property? I’m working on one now (but using a ROFO to purchase equity interests as a basis) and would like to see what other people are doing. Finding a good one has been hard, as this kind of thing isn’t always required to be filed with the sec and every search I’ve done basically pulls up garbage. Also, are there any provisions you’d consider absolutely crucial from the owner’s side?

like

How do NYC big law real estate groups hold up during recessions? Are they one of the harder hit corporate groups or is there more stability?

like

First interview at a biglaw firm. Just graduated and want to pursue transactional areas, no prior experience. I feel like I’m a risk of a hire in their eyes so any advice?

Currently a staff attorney in US firm, hoping to secure the permanent position as Associate after contract ends. Any advice?

like

Anyone here who started in a general corporate or commercial trans group that later transitioned to a more specialized group (M&A, funds, financing, etc.)? If so, what made you switch and are you happy with the change/what has your experience been like?

like

What's the best place to find actual transaction precedents other than Edgar, assuming there is none within your firms database? Many thanks in advance!

like

I understand a CofC is triggered in an equity deal, but is that also triggered in an asset deal (along with assignment, obviously)?

like

First 70 billable hour week and am dying. How do some of you do this on a regular basis?

like

Any suggestions on resources for corporate contract drafting? I have been largely responsible for employment matters and basic contracts. Starting to work on buy/sell of goods and services; not huge but also not employment agreements. Looking for refreshers... been a while since law school and the bar. Thanks

like

Anyone else at 2400+ and just dieing? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills over here reading these posts about being slow. West coast, egvc m&a and cap markets, top five by revenue globally. Is it really just our firm/office on an island?

like

Anyone looking to relocate or in Cinci Ohio to work for a great team in a wonderful top 100 firm… dm me please! :)

I have billed 4+ hours today helping a partner prepare a 10 slide PowerPoint for a board meeting tomorrow. Let’s say half of the time was fixing spacing and formatting. I really don’t care as I am billing all of it, but am I wrong in thinking this is unjustifiably too common and a waste of time?

like

Are there State/federal (or other laws) that govern the closure of a store? The entity owns other stores and will not be dissolving. Just shutting down one of its stores.

likehelpful

Purpose of a W-9 on an acquisition? Who should be filling them out?

I am behind the times and need your help: please share any resources you have on the tips/tricks/shortcuts/macros you use to make drafting in Microsoft Word a little bit easier.

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