It’s 4:45 PM on a Friday, and a partner just dropped a 50-page research memo on my desk that needs to be done by Monday morning. It’s always for a client who hasn't responded to our emails in weeks. I’m tired of cancelling my weekend plans for poor management. How do you set boundaries with partners?

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

“Happy to handle, but I’m tied up on other urgent matters and won’t be able to get this to you until mid-next week.”

You have to start setting boundaries.

likehelpfulfunny

It’s a risk I’d be willing to take if I knew the matter wasn’t truly urgent (which I’m assuming is the case based on the context OP provided about the client being chronically non-responsive).

like

“Im sorry. I have out of town guests this weekend.”

likefunny

Somebody actually *wants* a 50-page memo? If my outside counsel sent me 50 pages, I’d send it back and tell them to give me 3-5 bullet points—and to cut their bill.

likefunny

On the bright side, it sounds like it’d take weeks for the client to respond with the obligatory “why’d you run up a $20,000+ bill to produce something you knew I wasn’t going to read.”

like

If a firm ever gave me a 50 page memo, I would fire the firm.

likefunny

At least ask a question with enough detail for people to respond accurately. Partner gave you an existing 50 page research memo to update? Partner gave you a topic to research and wants 50 pages on it? What?

like

Yeah I'm confused... are we supposed to think they were given a page limit like a high school essay?

funny

You have to write a 50 page memo? In 2 days? That’d take me months lol

like

Doable, but it will not be good.

like

Related Posts

Has anyone taken a boot camp with Nucamp? Looking to join, but would first like to get a review on the boot camp from someone who has completed it.

like

Hi guys currently I'm working in a project with very stringent timelines. Sometimes we need to put more than 13-14 hrs each day. There are 4 members in my team. Two are involved in database prt and me and my lead are involved in the front end and middle layer prt. Somehow my lead is not at all pleased with my work. And even if I try to talk to him for something he is completely rude. Sometimes it makes me that I m completely useless. Even the other team members are following the lead

likefunny

How much maximum package range is offered at Natwest group with 6 years of experience in trade settlements senior analyst b6 role

Ghosting when given real next steps...why? This wasn’t over the phone or email. Actual in person interview. Ugh

like

For a Data Engineer with 5-6 YoE working on Azure Cloud Infrastructure (ADF, ADLS, Synapse), Databricks and Python. What should be the ideal salary?

like

Need 11 likes to enable DM
Kindly help

like

Hii guys,

I was getting my appraisal next week, my YOE is 1.8,
And current CTC is 3.6 lac. How much CTC should i expect? Compair to current market.

Tech stack:- ReactJS, NodeJS, AWS Micro services, and few others...

Position:- full stack developer/ MERN Stack developer.

like

Anyone up for practicing case coming weekend?

like

Looking to pivot into managerial. Can someone take a look at my resume? Tips would be appreciated as well!

likehelpful

Hey everyone! I’m a couple months in of trying to find a SDR role. Does anyone have any advice for interviews or just to stand out from the crowd? Any advice would be much appreciated!

like

I'm 42 years old with 18 yrs exp in IT/ITES sector. Now working for HCL, E2 level, domino admin projects, and CTC only 13LPA which is very low compared to outside. Catch is 90 days NP. Want to move out for atleast 20LPA. Pls advice?
I have cross-skilled in azure administration, but companies not shortlisting my profile may be due to high experience

like

My company has grown from 50 to 200, and my impact as an HR leader needs to grow from IC activities (recruiter, hr ops person) to.....hr leader. Any tips on doing that (and doing it well?)

like

YOE : 7.8 i have an offer from IBM and HCL.
IBM : 18 fixed + 1 JB HCL : 21 ( 18 fixed + 1lakh approx (monthly variable) + 2 lakh Annual variable ) . Now i have a discussion pending with Robert Bosch , What should i quote ! Which will be better for job security and work life and overall career growth .

like

Anyone hiring for a Marketing Analyst position?

like

@Bain folks - What is the salary for Associate Consultant (Experienced Hire) after the recent hike. Is it same as AC (Graduate hire)?

like

please help me get to 11 likes to unlock the messaging features. Thanks a ton in advance 😊

like

Day 9 - 40 push ups challenge ✅ ( 30 regular, 10 diamond 😤 and 10 extra inverse).

likefunnyuplifting

Hello Fishes,
Can someone please guide me regarding the interview process at
Tavisca? How many rounds are there and how to prepare for it?
Thanks. Tavisca JPMorgan Chase

like

Hi Guys, I am 5.5 years Java Developer and I have offer from JPMorgan Chase and Walmart .

Jpmc: 50% on current fixed + jpmc benefits Walmrat: 50% on current fixed + yearly bonus + stocks.

Please help me choose which will be better, mainly looking for brand value, work life balance and yearly hikes.

like

Additional Posts in Law

Can you share first year salary for midsize firms? I'm in NJ, but curious to hear other markets. Also billable targets? Thanks!

like

Mid-level associate at a mid-size regional insurance defense firm practicing coverage litigation. Salary is capped b/c my firm only does I.D./coverage and has no direct-hire comm clients. Second round of interviews with a comm lit boutique where I would be the only associate with 5 partners. Other than partner track, salary/benefits, and switching from coverage to general comm lit, what qualities of the move should I be thinking about as I weigh my options? I've never worked at another firm.

like

Does anyone know sports arbitration or general arbitration well? Have been a figure skating fan my entire life and am curious whether the judgement of recent Valieva case makes sense to you.

like

Do anyone know any legal admins or paralegals looking for contract/part-time work in California?

like

Parental leave: do you have to be at a company or firm for a year before being eligible to take parental leave? Are there any companies/firms that don't have this requirement?

like

What is everyone’s: (1) billable hours this year; (2) practice group; (3) year; and (4) size of law firm?

like

What is the scoop on med mal defense vs. plaintiff work? Is defense more respected by other practice areas if I were to switch somewhere else later?

I applied to a position that brands itself as civil litigation and apparently the role is med mal defense. Not sure what to go by but would like to do a little research before I call them back.

like

How competitve is a US district court clerkship?

like

Any tips when leaving a firm? Younger associate <1 year.

likehelpful

How long did you have to wait from last round interview until offer? (Public sector)

like

Layoffs. Most big firms say they're sitting on a conservative pile of cash - which I believe is true - but work will obviously not return to pre-COVID levels in the short term, probably not even in the medium term. Are Biglaw layoffs coming?

likefunny

Hardest part of navigating maternity leave and WLB as a junior partner?

like

Rising 2L here…Just found out yesterday that one of my top target law firms is not participating in OCIs (they don’t have offices in my state). Any advice on the best way to move forward with them? Still planning to apply, just want to know what I should be doing. Thanks!

like

Has anyone taken  ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS)? Any comments/ reviews? How has it enhanced your employability? Why did you take the CGSS?

like

Is 150 billable hours per month little/average/a lot?

like

Advice Request: Started my career litigating. Switched to niche transactions (so about half and half at this point). Halfway through a year long sabbatical and reevaluating what I want to do (left before jumping to Senior associate). I’d like to get into litigation again in a practice group I don’t have experience in. Any suggestions on how to do this? How to approach firms and partners etc? Past 2 firms on my resume are top 30.

like

Best divorce lawyer in NYC?

like

I’ve practiced litigation in DC for about 5+ years at a larger plaintiffs’ firm, and am considering a switch to a defense firm. Is there any insight to how many billable hours this would require, and how much time that would actually be? For reference, the firm has a 1900 billable hour requirement and the partner said I would have “no problem” fulfilling that based on the work they have.

like

What do partners generally expect from third-year litigation associates (smaller firm) as far as legal, professional, and/or case management skills go?
I still feel like I can’t (or don’t know how to) manage or push cases forward and like I’m constantly behind on everything—is this normal?

like

Anyone at Pryor Cashman have intel on firm culture, work/life balance, and comp?

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