My fellow associates and I were just reamed out for our recent work product being too sloppy/not error free by the partner group. Kind of humorous since I find errors in partners’ briefs/drafts all the time. Anyone else find this hypocritical and frustrating?

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

Something similar happened to me regarding a letter and I legit had copied it from another partner’s letter on the same matter. Sigh.

like

Yep, this happens and not much you can do. I got in trouble as a junior for some minor typos, while the partner's draft had "hunedred" and"resloved" in it. Keep smiling and maybe you'll be the partner one day!

like

As far as frustrating biglaw associate-partner dynamics go, this one is pretty far down on the list IMO. An associate’s role is different than a partner’s and part of an associate’s responsibility is to catch a partner’s typo/grammar/formatting issues, the opposite does not necessarily apply. I don’t think this is necessarily the best way to run a team or draft a document in a cost effective manner for the client (one partner proof, even at $1000 an hour, will be cheaper than three associate proofs at $500 an hour), but there is a rational justification for the system being the way it is.

This is assuming you are getting adequate time to review and draft everything. It is absolutely frustrating when you’re expected to turn typo-free drafts in a period of time that doesn’t let you do so. That is just bad management by the partners, who in that instance are looking to offload blame for their inability to manage onto associates.

likesmart

Yep I totally agree. I understand how the system is supposed to work but if there is not enough time, or in my firms case too much work for too few associates, then of course the work product will suffer. Doesn’t take an MBA to figure that out yet some partners don’t!

If they like you, you can miss a 0. If they don’t like you, they care if you use and/or vs or/and.

like

What A1 said.

Also, the partner is your boss for now but that doesn’t mean you can’t strive to be better than them. You’re not going to be substantively better yet since they have years of experience on you, but you can be a better lawyer just in terms of how you approach your day to day. Take pride in your work and build your personal brand as fucking perfect. Chances are, you will not be working for this partner/firm forever. Avoiding sloppiness is not for them. It’s for YOU and YOUR work product and YOUR clients. I understand not wanting to give a fuck and feeling like they’ll never actually be your clients... but if you think that they never will be. This applies even if you don’t want to be a partner; in-house, govt etc all want folks who take pride and ownership in their work and produce high quality work product.

And yes, not every typo is the end of the world, but every additional typo makes the reader (me as your inhouse counsel client who previously had your exact same biglaw job for example) wonder if you’re being sloppy about this easy stuff, then what other more important stuff are you missing out on.

like

Related Posts

Hi all, looking to buy a fourplex in Austin TX. Off market they will accept $625k “as is”. My only financing option is fha it seems since I don’t have 15% down. Current rents are $4300. It’s in south Austin part of 78704 but a really bad street. My thoughts are it’ll gentrify and I’ll condo regime it. Any major concerns, am I buying at the peak? Are there other financing options I should entertain? First house so a bit nervous. Thank you!

like

Does bcg plan cover Invisalign?

like

My company is giving me a reimbursement while I go to school. It’s capped to induce me to study part time. I decided to go full time. Pay the difference out of pocket so I can graduate quicker. I have been working as a manufacturing engineer tech for 4 years without a degree but this May I will get my bachelors in Mechanical Eng. Currently making 63k a year, hourly. What should I ask for when I graduate? Living in Southern Pennsylvania.

like

Shot in the dark: I have a condo in Boston. Willing to give someone the deal of a lifetime (aka you’ll net at least $50-80k in equity at purchase) if they can work direct without brokers. Would be for a $750k+ transaction to set expectations. I need to move to help my parents.

like

Hi Folks,
Happy Sunday!

Can anyone let me know which companies are good for learning and working on DevOps profile?

Thanks.

like

How are the areas around white rock lake to buy an investment property? Any suggestions appreciated!

like

I want to declare my investments in LIC premiums, housing loan, monthly rent to parents in smartpay portal. But can't see a link to upload these document proofs. Could someone guide of a process to declare these in smartpay?

like

@ Industrial Designers: how would you honestly describe how your job reality matches what you thought it was? Also, would you say a related degree is crucial to getting work?

Context: 7 years experience in marketing, looking to retrain and pivot to industrial design. Looking for your takes on how much opportunity, growth, and job satisfaction you experience.

like

Anyone written Java SE 11 Developer
Exam Number: 1Z0-819 and cleared it.Please dm me I am preparing to write it in next few days I need some suggestions for to clearing it.

like

Does "Gold Standard" matters? I did not get any. What rating will I get.

like

How many associates in big law actually want to make partner?

like

What are recommended steps to take when you are about to put your house for rent ? Anything I should look into or do to make sure the process is smooth ?

like

Hi Everyone

Need 11 likes to enable DM,

Appreciate your help in advance.

like

Having the hardest time working around people who I cannot relate to and vice versa.

like

Are all the Olive layoffs just due to preparing for the recession? So sorry to everyone who was laid off

like

I am currently in the Discover product part of Search org. I have just been promoted to L5 and am thinking of moving to Ads team with the motivation of having easier career growth to L6.

Is it wrong to assume that it is easier to get to L6 on Ads?

like

Anyone looking to sublet or have a spare room immediately/ the near future? If so, DM me. I’m F 25.

like

Currently looking to refinance my first home (4.125) and considering a few options. What do you recommend?

Background: 36, single and hoping to meet someone, would move from townhome at that point. Would like to save on interest & reduce costs in the time being. No other expenses but car is 10 years old and would prob need a new one within 5 years.

Loan amt: $220k
Current Principle + Interest 4.125% : $1104

Refinance options:
7/6 arm 2.25%: $848
30 yr 2.87%: $920

like

What do you think is the percentage of people in our industry that are taking some kind of daily drug / antidepressant to keep them level?

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

What happens to average associates who do good enough work but don’t care about partnership? Do we eventually get pushed out?

like

I know this isn’t a “biglaw” firm because it doesn’t pay market, but did anyone else see the insane bonus numbers at 2400 hours for Loeb & Loeb? Is that real? $305k bonus for an 8th year?

like

Midlevel M&A just lateraled to my V10 firm and have been doing 75-ish billable hrs per week for the past three weeks. I’m exhausted from sleeping 4-5hr per night. Is this typical or is my firm just toxic? Feel like I can’t physically do this long term - any thoughts on whether litigation is more sustainable or what area to switch into within biglaw?

like

Any thoughts on Orrick LA culture?

like

I have a callback next week and half of my interviewers recently joined the firm. I feel like so many of the questions I’d typically ask an interviewer may not apply to an attorney who’s only been there for a few months - any tips on how to handle / what to ask?

like

There is absolutely nothing worse than pounding sand at your desk, being bored as hell, just for optics to show you’re in the office bc you’re required to be in the office. What a giant waste.

like

Hey l'm looking at potential firms for OCI. Any insight on Cooley? They seem like a great firm for me since I'm tech focused but I'm concerned about allegations of corruption.

funnylikeuplifting

I’m currently a third year litigation associate in BL that will not hit the bonus this year due to a slow first half. Most of my hours are coming from two larger matters, and its been difficult to get staffed on new cases when those are slow. I’m contemplating a lateral move bc I am stuck/typecast on one or two matters and want to pursue a broader practice, and am not getting enough hours for good reviews/bonus/job security. Struggling with decision because I like my current firm. Any thoughts?

like

Has anyone ever been pushed out after billing over 2400 hours?

like

Any NY employee benefits and executive compensation folks with 1-3 yrs of experience interested in lateraling to my market v40 firm? Deal experience preferred. DM me and we can talk

like

Hi! I’m a junior associate at a big law firm in NYC, and I’m considering a move to Dallas. I’m 28 and single, originally from Texas but have lived in the northeast/midwest since graduating from high school. Has anyone else made a similar move to the south? Thoughts on living in the Uptown area?

like

Any firms discussing alternative plans with incoming SAs?

like

Does anyone have insight into the work-life balance at Eversheds' tax practice? I'm preparing for an interview in the next few days, and I don't have any colleagues there.

like

If you had (1) a Big Law offer (year four) which would be a step up from your current firm or (2) could go directly in-house (which is your eventual plan), what would you choose to do? Get additional experience with bigger clients or move in-house?

like

Anyone have any insight as to how many hours are acceptable to bill annually at Kirkland?

like

Has anyone ever had their background screening or conflict checks not cleared before, and resulted in their offer being rescinded?

like

Has anyone in big law been successful in changing offices, either domestically or internationally? How did you approach the subject with your firm? I think I need a change of scenery for my own sanity, but not ready to leave my firm.

like

What should you prepare for a transactional lateral conflicts check? Do you have to have prepare a deal sheet for every deal you worked in?

like

How hard is it to get a job at a plaintiff firm like RGRD etc out of biglaw and how much do they pay?

like

I’m a junior M&A attorney who doesn’t have a background in business/finance. Any book recommendations for someone to learn more about some key concepts like NWC, financial statements, disclosure schedules, or the deal process in general?

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

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

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