Is it just me, or do law firms feel like high school? Cliques, the favorites, the “in crowd” partners. I’ve seen great lawyers sidelined simply because they weren’t part of the “inner circle.” Is it possible to succeed without playing those games?

likehelpful
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A firm is a fishbowl… it’s a really small group of people who spend most of their waking hours together. So yes, it is going to be fraught with politics, emotional games, and greed. Maybe other business entities are the same way, even the big ones. Keep your mouth shut and ears open, put on a friendly face, and get your work done as best you can. Have lunch with your co-workers. Get clients and develop ways to become valuable to the firm. Become a leader in your own space. You’ll be fine. But if you are just a worker bee, then you are a commodity.

likesmart

That’s just how life is. You’d think lawyers would be better than that, but alas.

likesmart

So it turns out, high school isn’t isolated. Life is high school.

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They are most definitely like high school. Queen bees included and their little followers.

likefunny

It isn’t just law firms. It’s all of professional life unless you build your own business (your own high school).

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How does own high school work?
Is it better?
I see most lawyers after certain years go with sth themselves. Is that why?

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Believe me, it's not limited to lawyers. Unfortunately, Administrative staff can be VERY petty also.

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As a paralegal (for many years) in some of the largest law firms in this country, I will only say: Be nice to people on your way up, so they will be nice to you on your way down.

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Yes
That’s part of the reason ppl left

likeuplifting

Welcome to life

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More like a sorority vibe. Full of mean girls, vacuous personalities, and performative non-profit volunteerism (that will be humble-bragged about on multiple platforms).

likefunny

I actually thought that lawyers and judges would be different than doctors! All I can do is shake my head😔

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"People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully." - Depeche Mode (look it up Gen Z)

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“Nothing changes but the faces, the names, and the trends…”

There will always be people in your life you click like a safety belt and others that just don’t want to engage. Know your own limits and actions based on those lines and you’ll do just fine. The human element exists in every profession.

Your digital reassurance,
:)

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Don’t think of it as games. Think of it as being social. You’re spending more time with your coworkers than your family, so yeah, people are going to want to work more with the people they get along with.

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Yeah. Just go out to lunch, go to happy hour. No need to overthink things.

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From my experience and what others have told me, thats the way of many of them

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If by succeed you mean make partner then yes you need to play games. Unless you found a unicorn firm where it’s not needed.

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So glad I don’t work at a firm like this. AmLaw 100 but everyone seems humble and friendly. I sure we have jerks but I haven’t met them yet.

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