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Just signed the outside employment form in KPMG onboarding system. I actually wanted to start dabbling in creative writing as a potentially monetizable hobby, but I'm guessing this may pose issues.
Definitely interested in the "exception from this policy may be requested if provision of non-professional services doesn't interfere with one's duties of causes conflict of interest" clause, though. Has anyone been able to get one of those before?
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This sounds like he may be sending CYA emails. Which if he’s a partner, is a bit lame. But if this is a senior associate, then it’s not too off. Either way, just keep up the good work, shrug it off. He’s likely doing it for reasons other than mistrust.
It’s more about “communication” and less about “sticking up for yourself.” First seek to understand and then to be understood. It’s about anticipating and meeting needs—needs of clients, needs of partners, needs of associates. It appears that due to a lack of communication both your needs and the needs of your boss are not being met.
Fair enough. Communication of clear expectations would be an improvement.
You could try and preempt it by sending an email every am with a “these are our upcoming deadlines and this where we are on meeting them.” Might be the only way to counteract this.
It’s not your job to get things off of your plate and onto someone else’s. It’s your job to take items off your bosses plate- get deliverables completed. Drafted, reviewed, edits made, client remarks, finalized, served and filed, all on time without any fire drills along the way.
You shouldn’t HAVE to do a lot of things that other people should be doing if they’re competent. But... The reality is a lot of people aren’t competent. If your boss or paralegal or client aren’t competent then those are all, in fact, YOUR problem, as they’re obstacles in the way of your goal.
Did you ever see “My Big Fat Greek Wedding?” The matriarch says, “the man is the head of the household and makes all the decisions, but the woman is the neck, and she can make the head turn in any way she wants.”
Worry less about whether some administrative task is “your job” or beneath you. Do what you need to do to get the job done, and getting some credit with any luck.
Depends on the partner. I have partners where I send weekly updates like “gentle/friendly reminder, this is where we are in this case and the next deadline is X, I will get it to you by Y.” For other partners, they don’t need the emails, are tech savvy, and know I’m handling my shit. But, I consistently adapt to partners’ respective style/procedures/preferences. It’s like how the judges have individual rules, but in private practice they’re not published.
I have a running list of: partner A needs huge lead time and loves bogus internal deadlines, partner B hates Oxford commas (but why???!), partner C needs to be sent weekly CYAs bc he’ll throw me under the bus, partner D requires calls to refer him to an email he’ll never read.
It’s not easy, but effective. I’m a mid level and for cases I handle on my own, I notice I have my own set of styles and procedures... the cycle continues.
Best of luck, A3!
If you can’t stick up for yourself then you’ll have a hard time representing your client. As long as you take ownership in your mistakes and fix it, you shouldn’t have a problem with sticking up for yourself and your firm should appreciate it.
That being said if it’s litigation deadlines you should ask if there is a strict office policy on their own deadline versus whatever law your state has. If you have 60 days to answer but your office wants it done in 45, it should be communicated to you.
I’m never shy about owning my mistakes. Hell, I take on undue blame to support the paralegals. I just don’t want to rock the boat if nothing comes of it. Your comment is helpful tho. I do need clearer expectations communicated to me, and I need to ask for that.
I’m wondering if we work for the same partner. One in my office does this to me all the time. I sent her a list of the documents I thought we should produce, then followed up the day before we were planning to produce them and I got a lecture about being timely. She does it with other things as well, an it really gets under my skin. I asked some other associates and apparently she’s like this with everyone. It’s still annoying, but I now think it’s a product of her insecurity.
Are you referring to litigation deadlines (i.e. “we have to file this Answer by 4/15”), or his or her deadlines (i.e. I need this memo by Friday”)?
I hear you SH1, but if that’s the case then I need clear expectations. Saying “I need this well in advance of the deadline” after I’ve sent it to him 6 times over the past month isn’t fair. Talking this out is helpful. I’m going to start asking for clearer expectations, and when I get a vague answer I’m going to suggest a timeline and operate off of that until otherwise instructed.
Honestly? Just ask for a raise. You sound like you’re managing well and going an awesome job. Go ahead celebrate you by asking for more 💵