Started at a new big law firm almost five months ago. Had to ask the partner I report to for more work today for the first time since I started. I feel like a failure. Is this a normal scenario?

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

Yes chill

like

They want you to ask.

like

This sounds like proactive ordinary course stuff. Not sure why that would make you failure.

like

Thanks. These responses are reassuring and some have even made me chuckle. I’m slowly learning that being a junior associate means thinking every molehill is a mountain. I look forward to growing out of that. Lol.

like

August is also generally the slowest month of year since clients go on vacation with their school age kids etc. Chill, you’re doing fine.

like

You've been definitely been written off and are being frozen out.

Kidding, of course. From day one I constantly worried that the fact that I wasn't busy meant that everyone hated me. Took a while to get over that feeling/insecurity, but I felt a lot better after getting over it.

like

In your interview did you also say that your biggest weakness is that you care too much

funny

Is this an Office reference 😂

like

I started three months ago and am riding the ramping up period. In fact, I DO NOT ask for work because I am lazy, so don’t be like me.

likefunny

Please update us next week as to whether you are still waving, not drowning.

like

What are you talking about?

I agree. It’s ridiculous.

Related Posts

Which offer would you take as a recent grad?
All have too similar TC to care

1) AlixPartners (CS&T)
2) Alvarez & Marsal (Restructuring/Turnaround)
3) Oliver Wyman (Generalist)

How much is the referral amount in Nagarro if my reference joins Nagarro and after how many months I'm going to receive it?

like

How do you go on if you know the work you do is bad and you sacrificed everything for it?

likehelpful

Has anyone stayed in the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali? Planning a trip in the fall and wanted to stay here but don’t want to pay extra for the Hokupa (not using points). Is the hokupa a must?

like

Any thoughts on clear eyeglass frames for men? Stylish or too casual?

Hi
Is there anyone here looking to hire a Strategy consultant? I've got previous experience across public and private sector and I'm now looking for a new challenge with one of the top consulting firms in the UK.
Any help would be much appreciated.

like

Hey guys, I’m looking to invest in the purchase of land in Austin. Because it’s not commercial or residential investment at this point, I’m at a loss for financing options. I’m short $100k. Any ideas on where I can get a loan from for this?

like

Something to ease your day 🤗

Post Photo
likeuplifting

Folks who recently moved jobs, how much increase % did you get? And YOE?

like

Hey guys,
I have finalized a home in vasanth nagar near office, however i won't be moving in as i might resign.
It's a one bhk room and very clean and the people are good(the owner's family lives there)
Let me know if interested.(Female)
Rent is 13k per month including water and extra rent for washing machine, electricity.

like

How do I stop excel from changing the cell reference to a different column each time I refresh the data pull?
The spreadsheet is connected to an API data pull. Each time I refresh the data it changes the cell reference (SCD_0010) to a different cell e.g. (SCD_0127). How can I stop this?

Post Photo
like

Struggling to book Schengen appointment with any of the embassies in London. Any tips fish fam?

like

Thoughts on the Salman Rushdie attack?

I personally condemn it.

like

crying ceo killed everyone today on LinkedIn 🤣🤣🤣

Post Photo
like

She surely knows how to make herself comfy for a nap during these cold winter days.

Post Photo
likeupliftingfunny

Hi Fishes,

My last working date with TCS is on 4th March 2022 and now they are offering me 80% hike and Canada onsite opportunity and telling that will initiate visa as soon as I take resignation back and also ready to provide written confirmation. On the other hand I have an offer from IBM of 120% hike fixed and performance bonus would be there which I am not considering now.

Which one would be better? please suggest based on your knowledge and experience.

funnylike

What does awesome creative resource management look like to you?

Any suggestion how to buy a stock pre-ipo?

like

Looking for recommendation - books, blogs, podcasts etc to learn about investment in stocks, bonds, options, commodities etc? TIA!

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Had someone lateral into our firm as a fifth year (soon to be sixth). They were kind of a retool and went from small law to the firm I’m at. They are still learning a lot of basic stuff, and I think it’s weird that the firm hired someone at that level as a retool. They sometimes ask me for help with stuff, but I’m just getting annoyed at this point. Can I just say “no” since they’re about to be a mid/senior associate who should know all of this?

like

What do you prefer: iManage or NetDocuments?

like

Any of you partners or partnership track people start off as bad associates and then get it together a few years in? Trying to figure out if/ how I can get better at this.

like

Lateraled to a new state and studying for the bar (licensed elsewhere). Firm only gave me 3 weeks to study so just now starting. My partner doesn’t “get it” and is struggling to understand why this is all-encompassing. Any advice for getting him to understand what I need these next few weeks?

like

Heard that Baker McKenzie has a tax practice group. Can anyone provide more information on this company and referrals? JD and currently in big 4 doing transfer pricing, looking to transition

like

As a junior associate, how do you find the healthy balance to take initiative in matters as opposed to wasting billable time on something the client won’t pay for or the partner might not actually want?

like

Reasons to use Lexis over Westlaw?

like

Do FAANGs prefer you have tech experience or does having a deal list with a bunch of Fortune 100 companies make you marketable enough? I have the latter but not the former. Happy at my firm, though it doesn’t do a lot of tech work.

like

Any thoughts on Orrick LA culture?

like

New associate and our firm is slowly returning to the office. I really like my work from home setup that includes an ultra wide monitor and a another monitor in portrait mode. Would it be frowned upon to replicate this in my office?

like

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

like

Do you feel bad going in the office at 10am? It's either that or I don't show up and wfh, but still feel a bit bad about it.

like

Any insight on what a 2012 lateral NEP should expect in the package at a v20? Anything specific to ask for?

like

My partner lateraled as a senior associate (now a 7th year) and hasn't yet received clear direction on ascension to partnership. Curious what your firms have told you about pathways to partnership? Are you eligible to be made partner as a 9th year? What factors go into consideration? Are you expected to generate business before you achieve partner? How much?

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

Those that left in-house to go back to big law, why’d you leave? Do you regret it? Did you lose your WLB when you went back?

like

How do I focus midday as much as I do late night and early morning. Pls help.

likehelpful

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

Hanging v. not hanging diplomas in office?

like

Do you plan on living in NY forever? It doesn’t look like it’s easy to raise children or be old in this city.

likesmart

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