I’m having the worst start to this year. I don’t think I’ve ever swung back and forth between being happy with my job and feeling like I’m too dumb to be a lawyer as much as I have this year. I’m having a particularly rough week. Anyone else going through something similar?

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

Yes. This 100%. I’ve entered a cycle where every time I start feeling good and confident, something makes me question everything again.

like

Is it wrong to be comforted by the fact a partner posted this? Because that’s been me for all three years I’ve been an attorney.

like

I thought I was a pretty smart person until I made it into law and now I think I just get dumber every year.

likefunny

I’ve been feeling this. High highs and low lows when it comes to confidence and imposter syndrome. Having one of the low lows right now as I realized I screwed up a couple things. Neither is really that big a deal, but F***.

likesmart

I feel this way constantly. I started a new job in January and feel like an idiot 95% of the time.

like

I feel this every year

like

9 years in and… yes. Just yes.

like

I moved to a bigger firm last month and I feel like I am an idiot (or I am way less smart or prepared than the people I work with) EVERY. SINGLE .DAY. everybody is nice so I know that it's a me problem. But yeah I am with you... does it ever get better?

like

YESSSSS. So much.

like

Hahaha, sometimes I really love this forum. I have no idea who anyone is, but it’s nice to be able to be honest somewhere. Appreciate the candor OP. I’ve been in practice 8 years, and I’ve never felt truly dumb. For better or for worse, I’ve honestly just never had a problem with saying “I don’t know, let me find out really quick” to clients and partners. I assume it’s different for partners, and not feasible in all situations, but those partners I truly appreciate acknowledge when they don’t know something and hand it off for someone else to figure out (i.e., me).

All this is to say, I hope you can let that Type A hair down a bit, remember you’re an intelligent person, and hope you’ve got some associates to help you look good when you don’t know!

like

Every. Damn. Day. Lol

Related Posts

TC for a DevOps role at a smaller startup (~160 employees)? 2 YOE in consulting, HCOL city.

like

Did ka mean lease get

like

Which product companies are currently hiring actively for product manager roles in India

like

M🐠 here trying to get light twists or something similar with some texture going. I’m having a hard time getting it to work well using leave in conditioner, curling cream, and hair sponge. Any guidance, resources, or tricks I can try? I really want to get away from the clean fade and brushed look that I’m used to.

like

When recruiter says they’re hearing “wonderful feedback” after final round but team isn’t able to make a decision for a few more days. Any idea what this could indicate?

like

Would you guys think it’s appropriate for your fiancé’s family to still be following his ex on social media?

likefunny

Last October I ended a year long, long distance relationship because of the logistics of distance. I have spent the last 9 months (trying to) dating other guys in nyc and it sucks because I know what it COULD feel like. Recently saw my ex again and I’ve been bursting with joy ever since. Is the pursuit of ‘love’ worth changing my life and relocating for?

like

Any one from Dupont Hyderabad, need some help?

like

Need 11 like to use app.

like

What are the steps or process on building a new social media account or channel for a B2B?

like

The used market is pretty rough and I don’t want to pay near MSRP for a used car. Is a 30k car (33-34 after TT&L) a stretch on a 120k salary? I would keep and hold for 5+ years. Very low expenses otherwise and no debt.

like

Hello all! I have an interview tomorrow and the recruiter said I don’t need to have my video on if I don’t want to.. please what’s your advice ?

like

Question, how did you break into a VP level in HR position? What set you apart from other candidates that the company selected you?

like

what are the biggest red flags in a distance relationship? I would say being spotty on communication is the biggest one for me.

likehelpful

Hello Fishes,

Can someone please let me know about Persistent Nagpur. Especially about Persistent Mediaagility acquisition. I am getting an offer from MediaAgility Pune which will be part of Persistent. I am willing to Persistent Nagpur location

Does it provide wfh/PWFH? Will manager approve it.
Job security (since Nagpur office smaller in size)
Management & work culture
Does it have micromanagement?

Salary/Promotion is not on priority but WFH/PWFH & work-life balance, work culture will be.

like

Would you feel comfortable telling HR that your service line’s culture sucks and name the individuals who cause it? Or is a better approach saying it’s the leadership in general creating a negative and toxic culture? How effective are these conversations really? Trying to assess if there’s any point in bringing this up. Obviously HR works for the company and an employee sharing their thoughts on the unsupportive, cold leaders could bite me in the long run.

like

Has anyone received the interview challenge from Palantir Technologies Inc. called “Product Reliability Challenge: Slow Searches”? I’m seeking some advice on topics I should prepare before taking the test. Thanks so much for any advice!

Hi Friends,
Does counter offer after accepting the offer letter of a company leads to blacklisting from the prior company who's offer has been accepted?

like

Question: "𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮/𝐬 𝟏𝟒𝟑(𝟏)" is sent to every tax payer after Tax processing is completed by Tax Department even when no additional tax has to be paid and everything is fine
or
is it only sent if there are any irregularities found in ITR by Tax department?

#Deloitte #Chartedaccounted #CA #Audit #PWC #EY #KPMG #Incometax #Tax

Additional Posts in Law

Anyone have insight as to what the non-partner track salary is for Fox Rothschild in CA? Third year

like

Not sure if Pelosi is a genius or about to get walked all over

like

Prepping to interview for an associate corporate counsel position at a construction co. I have limited experience repping a small manufacturing Corp. How to convince them to take a chance on me?

like

this might be a long shot but does anyone on here work in a publishing/media law? is there a legal path in the publishing industry?

like

What are some of the common pretenses used by supervisors that indicate tough conversations are to be had regarding an employee’s future with a firm? Thanks.

like

Any national security lawyers on here? What are the billables and what are you generally doing? Is it essentially gov’t relations and researching/drafting opinion letters or is there more to it?

like

Ngl this crisis just affirmed my decision about not wanting to have kids. Serious props to the parents attempting to simultaneously bill and homeschool their kids.

like

So who else here is experiencing plummeting billable hours and exponential weight gain since this whole WFH thing started? Bought snacks for 30 days, finished in 48 hours.

likefunnysmart

If you’re an attorney and someone asks how you are and you respond with: “Living the Dream”. Please stop.

likefunnyhelpful

Anyone have a good billable hours goal tracker tool /app to recommend? I tried to make one but I suck at Excel (and math.) Need to stay on track and make extra hours for the rest of this year. For several reasons, most of which were out of my control, my hours are low so far and it's my first year as a lateral with this firm.

like

When applying to law school, what was your LSAT score?

like

Any mid-sized firms pay Cravath/Millbank in the SF/Silicon Valley area?

likefunny

How are document review attorneys looked upon by law firms and is this a good career to pursue?? Doing this for deloitte now but not sure what will actually come of it.

like

Overheard at work: partner speaking meeting notes into a literal dictaphone for his secretary to type up later.

like

Know for a fact I do not want to do litigation after one year. Want to try transactional work because I eventually would like to go in house. Firm reluctant to move me around right now because there’s a lot of work in litigation. I don’t want to wait around hoping they will put me in another practice area and jeopardizing my chances at an in-house position. Should I be looking for new jobs?

like

4th year big law associate here (the most jr. of the group). I feel as if I’m treated as a senior associate’s personal assistant. Constantly asked to prepare signatures packets for one off documents, compile one off documents, etc. all for deals I’m not even on. I feel I shouldn’t be doing these administrative things at my level but maybe I’m being a brat. Curious to know what types of work — from a responsibility standpoint — other big law midlevel associates are doing. Thoughts?

like

I got a speeding ticket this weekend. Still in the process of applying to the NY bar. Got an email from Character and Fitness saying I forgot employee affirmation. I sent it, along with an acknowledgment that this weekend I got a speeding ticket and asked if they needed any documentation. Was this the right way to go? Should I have disclosed this?

like
like

Secretary filed my MSJ under the wrong case number, so she never filed the motion. The court now rejected the motion. This is California Superior Court - anyone have any suggestions on what I can/should do??

like

When does the imposter syndrome go away? Or at least fade away enough so I’m not anxious 24/7.

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