Nobody tells you how isolating this career can be once you're in the thick of it. I missed three close friends’ birthdays last month. My group chats go silent, my phone is full of half-finished replies, and I feel like I’m constantly apologizing for being “MIA.” I love my friends, but I’m starting to feel like I live in a parallel universe they can’t access. For those of you deep in the trenches, how do you actually maintain relationships outside of law without losing your mind or your people?

Dealing with asshole client who tried to bully me into changing our recommendations, and spineless partner who is back pedaling now given client reaction, despite pre-aligning on our view. People suck

Just applied for a KPMG M&A Senior Consultant position. Connections and recruiter made it pretty clear I’d be coming in for an interview. Currently at IBM GBS. Previous M&A exp + consulting exp

Looking to buy in the DMV suburbs (northern VA). Is this the wrong time for such a move? Beyond down payment, got about 6mo emergency fund and must tap into it for moving&house expenses like furniture

Hi all,

My joining is on 20th December in TCS. I have yet not received the onboarding Welcome mail. By when is the onboarding mail usually shared? Can anyone who has joined recently confirm? TIA.

1. Koch Business Solutions India ( 19 Fixed)
2. Cerner (20 )
Please help me Fishes. I would really appreciate your feedback.

Anyone in NYC area have an actual office instead of open floor plan? #CantTakeItAnymore

Thank you all for existing on Fishbowl and for being such a supportive community. It’s been a difficult year, but at the end of the day, I’m glad to have people to commiserate/celebrate with ❤️🙂❤️

I joined Amdocs in Smartops unit recently and I am not happy with the work I am getting, its production support. What to do now?

Can anyone refer to positions in marketing, business development, or project management job opportunities?.

My wife got offer from deloitte and mindtree for the same package.. Which one will be better to choose? What about work life balance?

What’s the hiring market like in Texas for a 4th year investment management associate? I’m interested in Austin but understand there may be more opportunities in Houston or Dallas. Graduated with honors and on law review at a T14, if that helps at all.

If the open office concept is so great for collaboration why does everyone wear gigantic noise cancelling headphones to try to ignore everyone around them?

Dear KBS, today we received 17 all agency emails. Yesterday it was 20. Surely upper management has a better way to use their time. Make it stop. Love, KBS

Does anyone know agencies that are known for hiring international applicants? If so, which are those? (NYC)

If you live in San Francisco, how did you find your apartment?

I’m currently in NYC and I’m debating if a realtor is the best route. Thanks 😊

My current company is “taking me off payroll” but instead of laying me off or firing me, are fully expecting me to take up an hourly contractor position for $30/hour with no specified time or guarantee of hours. How do I respectfully tell them no?

When do you officially put in your two weeks? I have a written offer I intend to sign, but should I wait until they clear all the background checks and such (I have no more than a speeding ticket so I’ll pass). This is the first real job I’ve quit

We’re barely past Wednesday and I’ve already billed 40 hours. Pls send help

Am I the only one left at the end of the month trying to bill 10hour days to meet hours because I slacked off at the beginning of the month? It’s a vicious cycle. Then the end of the month hits and I’m so exhausted that I need to take it was the next week... and the cycle continues

I’m a 2016 grad making $120k in a small to mid-size regional firm. I’m based in Nashville. My firm’s management is trying to survey other small to mid-size regional firms to get a feel for where the comp is now, especially in light of the big law increases that are making headlines, and to see just how far below market we may have fallen. Any additional data points from smaller regional firms (especially if you have a presence in Nashville or across the SE) would be appreciated! TIA

How long is acceptable to ask to decide on an offer, especially when another place you really want to work at is moving a bit slower? I know this question has been asked before but I feel like 2022 has been its own beast in the legal market and would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Working at a boutique transactiona firm. First year did not receive much guidance and made a few errors, one of which could have been a deal but ended up being fine but overall I worked hard, billed hours above target and showed a willingness to learn. Three main partners in the group. I feel like I may have been written off by the one partner, still get a fair amount of work from another and the third has never really given work but has a rep for doing things alone or using seniors. Contd below

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!

I got a job offer at Fisher Phillips and I’m debating on taking it. Does anyone have any insights on the firm’s culture? Is there a decent work/life balance? And if you know, what is the average salary for a third year attorney?

Am 2 months in to a new job with billable hours and I am miserable. How do I seamlessly go back to my old firm? Is this move a career killer?

California 🐟 does your vacation payout when you leave your job get taxed at regular wage, or bonus, levels? Does your employer have discretion to choose?

I’m not naive or fresh out of law school, but I’m at a point where I’m saying to myself “Why can’t I have it all?” I’ve been offered a job for more pay and less hours and I keep thinking to myself, what’s the catch? I know people will say no promotion potential or that’s not how it works…but what if it could? What if you make yourself valuable by still setting your boundaries? Why would we resent someone who has that opportunity?

Any other first year associates feel like their firms don’t really appreciate how much COVID/WFH has stunted their development? I’ve been working at a biglaw firm for 5 months and don’t feel at all like a part of the team, and am extremely stressed out by the isolation of WFH most days. I’m not really sure that anyone at the firm realizes this is happening.

Has anyone taking ADHD medication been able to secure life insurance? Am particularly interested in knowing of any company that provides Accelerated Approval under these circumstances.

How do I train my critical thinking skills? Any book recommendations?

I'm a long time prosecutor getting into the ID game and billable hours. Are there any resources out there that can help me get more effective/efficient without spending months/years learning the hard way? Some days I'm at the office 10 hours, took virtually no breaks and yet only bill 7. 🤬

Ngl this crisis just affirmed my decision about not wanting to have kids. Serious props to the parents attempting to simultaneously bill and homeschool their kids.

For a federal case the exhibit exchange DL isn’t very clear. It’s not in CMSO or in CMR but CMR has a deadline for preparing exhibit list with an index.. help!

Does anyone know the starting salary for Jackson Lewis in the firm's Connecticut office, as well as the billable hours requirement?

How would I go about finding a recruiter for a career switch? I have a finance background and am currently a mid level in big law. Looking for a hybrid position, but I only have experience with recruiters who recruit for other big law positions. Any ideas for how to start looking?

What do you do when you feel the goalpost has been/is being moved re: billable requirements? Like there's a spoken vs unspoken? I chose this job based on billables vs salary and what I'm being told I'm expected to do now is 20-30% (at least) > than what was initially agreed upon. Given my other life responsibilities, this is creating a huge strain & I feel like this is slowly getting harder & harder on my spouse & kids. I'm grateful to have lots of good work but not sure how to course correct.

Best small carry on? They keep shrinking the acceptable luggage size and half of the models out there don't qualify