Junior Associate at a tiny firm. 3 attorneys one very capable paralegal. I’m new, been here 4 months and love it. However I’ve been liscenced since 2023 and I really struggle with redlines. I have a great relationship with my senior associate but I think the Partner gets frustrated with me sometimes. I get regular work, handle all running duties, and do intakes as well. I try my hardest to produce good work product but feel like I fall short. Thoughts? Tips? Words of encouragement?

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Unless you’re repetitively making the same sorts of errors or getting the same feedback over and over, you’re doing fine. You’re still pretty new at this. Give yourself grace and digest the changes and make sure you understand them. If you don’t, ask for clarification so you’ll understand for next time. Don’t take it personally. Everyone has to learn. As long as you’re learning and progressing, you’re doing it right.

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What do you mean that you struggle with redlines?

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yeah contract review work takes years to get proficient since you need conmercial/business sense which only can be developed by experience

It’s hard but try not to take redlines personally. You should expect to have significant redlines as a junior; even senior associates have them. There are several reasons for redlines. For example, the partner could just like to say things his own way. Because you’re new and are also learning the best way to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively, they should not be uncommon. Take them as the only real form of feedback and learning experience you can at a firm. Your writing and arguments can also be very helpful to the partner even if he wants to change the specific wording. At minimum, it gives him a starting point.

You can also consider asking the partner or senior associate if they have any overall tips or feedback regarding your writing or what they like.

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You’re still very new, mistakes are normal. It’s not a reflection on you or your worth, it’s just a learning opportunity. Do your best to try to identify common mistakes and work to spot those before you hand over work product. It’s so important to be kind to yourself and to give yourself, and others, a great deal of grace. My peers have told me it takes years to really get in the groove.

~sighed a burned out first year who decided to quit the firm and take a clerkship in a resort town for a year or two to reset after dealing with something similar (among other things)

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Try to take a step back when you get redlines. Look at what redlines are stylist preferences and which are actual substantive changes you can learn from.

You’re still very young (professionally) so it’s to be expected that your work will be edited. Honestly, until you’re partner your work will be edited. Take personally when you make a big mistake but otherwise, know that more experienced attorneys KNOW you’re not going to be perfect in just a few years.

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I’m a 9-year lawyer and non equity partner and I still get red-lines on my work. A lot of times it’s just a matter of preference. If you’re not being told that you’re doing something wrong, you’re doing fine.

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Partners in BigLaw get majorly redlined briefs from other more senior partners (at least in litigation). Everyone has different styles. Don’t worry about it, and get used to it. It’s the nature of the job.

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