M&A associates: is it normal for first years to have only same-day tasks? I have not been given a task that wasn’t due either ASAP or by that night in weeks. If this is the norm, do you recommend any other (more predictable) transactional practice groups?

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

Not an M&A associate, but transactional. There will always be some assignments like this, but I think it will get less prominent once you are able to be integrated into deal teams more. Right now you don’t know enough to do many of the ‘big’ tasks, so you end up tying the loose ends on things and doing small one-off parts. Soon you’ll be able to do things a little more independently (and just able to do more things in general) and that should help with this. (At least that’s my experience - currently a second year)

like

Move to a tech firm. Venture deals are more sane!

like

I think A1 has it right. I’m a second year and this “same day” only type work started trending down as I became more integrated on the deal teams and wasn’t just a filler. You’ll always have some same day or short notice work, but you’ll be able to manage those much easier as time goes on.

like

Think about it like this: at this point, you are a glorified paralegal / secretary. So it's not that weird for your tasks to be the kind of thing that should take a couple hours max.

If things stay like this for another 3-6 months, then you should be concerned.

like

At my firm/practice group (M&A), almost every single task is an “ASAP” task

like

Three years in (in finance) and still the vast majority of tasks I do are expected to be turned around in <24 hours. There are some more time consuming tasks as seniority grows, but still very few truly longer term tasks. Adjusting to not having long term projects (yes, I know the deals are longer term, but not really *mine* in the way, say, a thesis project one spends a semester on is) was actually one of the biggest surprises in transactional biglaw.

like

Related Posts

like

FIS Global Can anyone help me with the process of resignation
. 1. If its only mail than whom i need to send the mail.
2. Anything i need to do in workday

like

And they’ll blame the Orange Line

Post Photo
likefunny

Hi All, I just Joined Fishbowl.
if you could give me some likes so i can start using this app as it needs 11 likes to even DM someone :)
Also, if you are interested in getting referral at SAP , DM me.

like

F 39 I’m officially on search for a husband (shamelessly). What do you guys like in a lady, what kind of look grabs your attention? What do I need to wear?? My male friends tell me I need more revealing clothes! 😂

likefunny

How is the wlb in legato

like

What should be the good salary for 14 years of experience for Senior Consultant 3 in EY GDS?

like

Did the NYSBA forget about re-takers? Is this a grave travesty and denial of Art 15 rights to those who are not being allowed to sit for the exam? What about their financial distress and their ability to retain and seek employment?

Post Photo
like

Anyone have experience with cold emailing CDs looking for freelance? My network hasn’t been coming through lately. Is it an annoyance, or could it be worthwhile?

I am an Audit S1 that wants to work in a B4 Forensics practice. Would it be best for me to accept an offer in Forensics at a much smaller firm (local, 150ish total employees) to gain experience and then try to move to B4 Forensics? Or should I stay in Audit and wait for B4 Forensics positions to open up? Please let me know your thoughts!

like

Who are considered the top consulting firms for Executive Coaching? Thanks!

like

Any guys who go to sheep’s meadow/Central Park? Looking to meet people/hang.

likefunny
like

Alright alright alright

Post Photo
likefunny

What’s a realistic salary expectation for a Senior Designer in NYC? Totally clueless what to say when recruiters ask my range

like

I am a sterile tech are they any other sterile tech on this app

like

Just found there are city bowls. Moved to Nashville recently and looking to network / make friends. (27 M). DM if down to grab coffee / drink / cigar!

like

Public accounting firms that are hiring tax compliance staff/associates? Haven’t been laid off yet but the writing is on the wall

like

Gary Dahl got everyone whipped into a frenzy with "Pet Rocks" and TBH that makes me believe that marketing is like a form of wizardry

like

Do any your companies offer a daycare subsidy?
If you do what amount do you offer? Can you let me know the size of your company?
Thanks

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

I cried at my desk for the first time today. Year 3. I’m tired.

like

When do I tell my close coworkers about accepting an offer to another firm? Conflicts hasn’t cleared yet.

Hi boys & girls!

Joined a big firm (Big4) not long a go and starting to feel like I got a good grip on my current work.

I've always been very technical, so I think that the only thing I am missing now is making sales. (I really wanna make partner)

Can any seasoned lawyer share tips and materials (i.e. books) which can help?

Would it be a good idea to join a Social Club where potential clients spend time? (gym/tennis/paddel/events)

Any advice welcome!

like

Someone tell me why a partner just took me to lunch as a "Thanksgiving treat" and he took me to Taco Bell

likefunny

In big law going on 6 years and I’ve always met my hours, but lately, cannot get enough work to keep busy. It’s been slow for some time, but I didn’t notice because I was working on matters in other offices. Is it time to move on? Are people really going to be laid off for not hitting hrs?

like

Best to Worst in terms of work-life balance: Tech Trans, M&A or Capital Markets? (California if that makes a difference)

like

I’ve worked 14+ days every day in November except yesterday when I only logged 6 hours of work (billable plus non-billable) (were required to upload our time every night now). How long should I wait after hanging up with our CFO just now who called me to tell me I’m behind and slacking to update my resume?

Looking to get out of a firm that does majority insurance defense and into BL commercial lit. Wondering if anyone has successfully done this as a first or second year, and if they have any advice on making the switch?

like

How did you give notice you were lateraling to people you like? Particularly if you haven't been there that long?

I'm lateraling to another firm because frankly I think the management of this one is terrible, but the people (and individual partners) I actually work with are awesome. I've only been here for about 18 months, so I imagine that short time frame will make it extra awkward 😬

like

Housecleaning services?
I’m in midtown west and need a new housecleaner. Looking to pay $100/cleaning. Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who is trustworthy and reliable? I would also need them to do laundry (laundry is one floor above and below me - every other floor in my building).

like

I keep making stupid minor mistakes at work lately presumely cause I’ve been so burnt out, and my senior is constantly mad at me, which made me want to avoid the dirty work even more… I really should care but is it bad that I don’t really care anymore

like

I’m a junior in big law and in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve noticed that counsels produce perfect drafts and yet aren’t partners but partners can’t write two sentences without numerous typos. Shouldn’t counsels be partners and partners counsels instead?

like

When do you think your offices will start expecting you to go back in? And do you think there will be some change in the FaceTime requirement? Or do you think things will go back to normal in terms of being expected to be in every day?

like

Anyone else absolutely *loathe* being assigned new client matters at the end of the month when you know your billable time won’t count bc conflicts haven’t cleared yet? Just me?

like

Can you name a firm (preferably NY office) that lets its associates work from a different country with no issues? The mid-size firm I’m currently at has been very flexible during covid but I’m looking to change firm (biglaw). Since my family is abroad I find it extremely valuable to be able to do this (I did this even before covid for a couple of weeks, twice a year). I’ve heard firms like Latham and Paul Weiss don’t allow it for tax reasons.

like

1st year business law (solicitor) wanting to transition to comm lit. Tips?

like

Does anyone use blue light glasses? Do they help? I get headaches almost every day and I’m sure it’s because I’m glued to the screen all day. Wondering how to alleviate them without popping 4 ibuprofens a day.

like

Explain to me like I’m 5. Why does the monthly billable hours goal on things like Intellistat change month to month. I’m not hitting hours this year. Last month goal was 158. This months goal is 180.

How do you get good at thinking on your feet? I find I always need time to think and analyse before being able to answer client queries (even those that are considered simple by others). I don't want to rush and get it wrong. I avoid phone calls for this reason which isn't great when you're in the service industry so it's starting to impact my career.

like

What is the best biglaw firm in Austin, TX?

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