Three months into litigation, working at a mid-size firm in three different practice groups under four different partners. I’ve botched two drafting assignments in a row for one of the partners. Having a crisis of self confidence and don’t know how short of a leash I’m on if I mess up another assignment. I read all the critiques for my work and get where I need to improve, but it’s demoralizing. Any advice beyond reading and understanding the constructive criticism I’m receiving?

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

Everything you’re saying and feeling is completely normal and expected. If it wasn’t like this, then you should really be worried because it means the partners have no faith in you and don’t even want to bother with you. The next five years are going to be painful and you’ll feel like you are committing malpractice left and right. I’m sure you’ll even have partners who decide they don’t want to work with you. Don’t take it personally. They are busy and stretched and stressed like you wouldn’t believe.

Work hard. Dress the part. Get in early. Stay late when needed. Bill your time as you go. Proof your work. Be eager. Be interested. Ask for work. Ask questions. Remember the criticisms and incorporate the advice for next time. Every assignment, just get 1% better. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Just keep going and don’t think too much.

like

Welcome criticisms. You’re a new associate and still learning. Partners will always have feedbacks/revisions. Don’t expect to write like the partner you’re working for. Every one has different writing styles and will want the draft changed to their preference. Don’t panic, but push forward. You got this! #esq.

like

I ran into this a few times years back and I understand the “demoralized” feeling. LA1 is right. Very normal. I have a recommendation that helped me. Read—then reread—Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. The way you absorb those criticisms says a lot about your train of thought. Try to stay objective and not take it personal. Litigation is tough work. Not for the fragile. A1’s advice is sound as well. Put in the hours and burn the midnight oil, but think about your perspective when you get that “demoralized” feeling, as well. Sustine et abstine. Hang in there!

like

Aurelius is ancient self-help.

like

Read Garner and similar writers. Things will eventually click.

likesmart

Is called the practice of law because everyone and I cannot repeat this enough - everyone needs practice to be able to deliver the results that a particular partner wants

like

Keep your chin up. Your confidence is everything so don’t let anyone take it from you. You deserve to be where you are. You can’t control how long it takes you to pick up on what they’re trying to show you, but you’ll get it. In the meantime you can control how long you keep at it. Get there early, leave late, you’ll earn their respect and you’ll get over the hump that much sooner.

like

Point Made by Ross Guberman is also great!

like

Thank you all for the feedback, as well as the book recommendations. I needed to hear every word of all that advice.

like

Also keep in mind that partners like to delude themselves into believing the written product will have an impact on the case. It will not. Legal writing is not all that important. What matters is that it’s billable. As long as you’re profitable, you’ll be fine. 

like

A6 😂😂😂 while I agree billables are king - winning cases on summary judgment keeps the clients happy and the work flowing so written product is very important at least in commercial litigation

Don’t take it personally. Be stoic. It’s a practice. No one gets it on the first try. Or even second. Or third. Or tenth. It takes time. Even when you understand the criticism, it’s takes time for it to seep into your brain, and for you to develop. The partners know this. Just keep trying, but don’t get in the way of your own growth by taking it personally (bc then it shatters your confidence, and brings emotions into it). If you keep at it, you’ll look back in a year or two, and be shocked at how far you’ve come.

like

I work with a non equity partner who does all the writing for the equity partner and it’s literally like 10 drafts back and forth so don’t stress. He’s been at the firm for like 10 years and his briefs have even won scotus cases so no good lawyer just writes once and it’s done. It’s a process and sometimes subjective at that meaning everyone has a different style which isn’t necessarily better or worse.

like

Thank them and say how much you appreciate the time and effort they are putting in to make you better. It takes time and I'm Sure it can gets annoying for them to edit our work. Otherwise, keep it up! Do your best and keep learning :)

like

Cultivate your mind and your heart, read for you what you like, if religious-be!- pray. Go and be in nature. I mean, you must improve you for yourself! Maturity will come when you grow and all the practice pointers and criticisms are just a part of your life, not the all consuming and defining everyday you are immersed now. Balance and poise, grace and peace for clarity of mind when the battle is on!

like

Find a litigation treatise in the area of law for the specific type of document you’re drafting. You don’t know what you don’t know. So if this is a complaint, there may be claims or defense you’re overlooking, if discovery, you may be missing requests for routine documents in this trope if case, if this is a diapositive motion, well, DM me if you want my secret for that. There are resources if you have the drive to go get them. After spending an hour filling your head with background information, check in with the boss to make sure you understand and are going on the right direction. Check in often. It is in their interest to help you give them the product they want. Period. Don’t let them scare you into thinking you should know how to do this. It’s called a practice for a reason.

like

When I review drafting tasks of law clerks or new hires, I tend to scrap 90% of what’s turned in. But that doesn’t mean I’m disappointed, it just means I have high standards. I use these moments to teach substantive law and to give tips on structure and style. The only time I get pissed is when I make specific edits that someone doesn’t include on the next draft. I can’t speak for your partners, but odds are they’re just providing feedback for you to improve and didn’t expect you to nail it. You’re probably meeting expectations, even if you’re not exceeding them.

like

I think you’re 100% right, and that’s precisely what the feedback was-detailed, explanatory, constructive, and definitely not dissapointed/pissed about the effort. I have high expectations for myself, so even though I take constructive criticism well, I get angry with myself when I don’t nail something I thought I should have.

Since I made the post, I was assigned another summary judgment motion, and the same partner used 90% of what I wrote, but with explanations for why I got it right on top of what I needed to improve. On top of that, he let me put my name to an appellate brief I helped research and draft, which is fairly rare for someone at my firm who’s only been here a few months, so I think I’m definitely making forward progress.

Ask to see some of the partners' favored writings. Or look on the database for some of his/her work. Everyone (clients too) have preferences and pet peaves. Some like it short and sweet, direct. Others like academia-style prose and extensive analysis. Knowing your audience is the first step, and then study some of what they do like. And just keep at it -- you'll get better.

like

Related Posts

What is the maximum CTC I can ask during HR discussion?
I am 4 years experienced. Current CTC - 8 LPA. Have another offer for 11.5 LPA.

like

Is anyone going to Jax river jams?

I’m client side and looking to find a new agency to build social creative. Would love suggestions for your favorites!! Bonus points for boutique/independent agencies.

like

Hi everyone!
asking for career advancement after a job offer, Does that sound greedy? I am considering an offer which is really good but advancement opportunities are important to me and I wanna know if the company is good at promoting people. What would be a good approach to the hiring manager for this matter?

like

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

like

Kobe IX Elite Low “Beethoven” - 🎹

Post Photo
like

Hello, anyone who worked or who's working at Hashicorp. How is it for a Sales Engineer?

It's been almost 10 days since my Guidehouse application status (on my Dashboard) got updated to "Reviewed" but I have not heard from anyone yet. Is there still hope or should I assume that my application got rejected?

likehelpful

any other freelancers only hearing indirectly about confirmed COVID-19 cases at agencies they just wrapped up at? (but not hearing directly from the agency?! 🙄)

like

Thinking about buying a used luxury vehicle (BMW 4 series, Jaguar XF, Audi, etc), target $30K-$35K, less than 20K miles, and <3 years old. Any suggestions about target models? I don’t like the idea of buying new because of the premium/immediate depreciation, and leasing feels restrictive. Is this a bad idea?

I would love to hear how some women successfully attended school while raising their young children (babies, toddlers). Please share the resources and time management strategies you have used that worked well. Thank you ❤️

like

I need referral for power bi developer yoe 4.8 please help. Thanks in advance.

like

When you test a GL account cause the balance is in-scope. Do you net the untested debits and credits together to determine if acceptably low? Or is it determined by untested debits being below PM and untested credits being below PM?
I have not gotten a consistent answer and seen it both ways in practice.

likehelpful

Hello folks,
I'm serving NP in IBM currently with around less than 60 days left. I'm actively looking for referrals from Wipro. If anyone could help with that I'd be grateful.
Skill - SAP Basis
YoE - 3 years

Feel free to DM

like
like

Anyone work in cause/purpose marketing (CSR type brand work)? Do these type agencies exist or is it typically in-house? Where are they located? Do you like what your doing?

like

Anyone else in “I’ll do my job description and nothing more” mode? I’ve gone above and beyond for my company for a while, and all I got was my quarterly bonuses and remote work taken away without explanation. Owner says he wants more “team building” from his florida mansion (we’re in the northeast). Half the company remote, half the company in the office with 0 explanation why. You want us cracking new accounts? Banging out 100 calls a day? PAY US ACCORDINGLY. Don’t piss on us and call it rain

like

Any Consulting firms with a focus on urban planning and development?

like

Feeling down after getting a rejection for my top choice law school 😕😭

like

Additional Posts in Litigation & Arbitration

What’s your go to process/steps for drafting an MSJ on a case you’re already familiar with?

like

I want a book to help me think more critically about structuring sentences, paragraphs, and legal arguments - and to eradicate poor grammar. I want to improve my legal writing. Any recs? I’m a litigator.

like

I need to send a lit writing sample asap. I haven’t done any significant memo writing or doc drafting as I’m looking to change practice groups (mostly did research sent via email) Do you have any suggestions or tips to bust out or modify a nice lit writing sample? Thanks everyone!

like

How do you approach collecting documents from a client in response to discovery requests? Particularly with broad and vague document requests that leave you guessing about what the other side is looking for, even after you meet and confer. I’m realizing no one ever taught me a systematic approach to this problem. And that big, name-brand companies are absolutely terrible about record-keeping or even knowing what records they have.

like

Chewing Out New Guy - I got chewed out today because a disclosures deadline was not calendared in one of my cases and although I don’t handle the calendar, it’s my job to be aware of all deadlines and procedures. I got lectured for about 20 minutes. For context. I live in Texas and we just had a hell of a week. Is my management awful or am I sensitive rn?

like

Public entity defense- what are some interesting issues that arise in cases?

like

Junior litigators, how are you all doing? Am I the only one finding it impossible to manage my own caseload, take on new urgent assignments from partners, and not be burnt out right now? Getting to the point where I’m so behind that I sometimes feel too overwhelmed to even start on my task list. Doesn’t help that partners take forever to review my work so i can get the product to the client. Looking for commiseration & encouragement that things will look up lol!

like

I’m a current biglaw associate thinking of lateraling to Quinn Emanuel. Looking for a more dynamic and trial-focused litigation practice, but I’m a little put off by how poorly Quinn seems to invest in support (tech, paralegals, etc) and generally seems to nickel and dime its associates. Curious how these issues feel for Quinn associates on a day to day basis.

like

It's that time...🦃

What's one thing you're super grateful for in your life or career at the moment?

Drop it below! 👇

like

I love a sassy email, especially if I’m only copied because attorney-client privilege attaches 😝

likefunny

I’m a 2nd year associate and I’ve been working at the same firm since I started. In a nutshell, I love the work (the practice area) but not the people very much (it’s just not a fit). I’ve been thinking of leaving for some time. I have an opening at another law firm, but my practice area would be different. Should I just wait for another opening in my area of preference? With Covid, openings are rare for entry level associates ...

like

Anyone have a good website vendor? My firm is looking to change the website design

like

Tips on snacks/drinks that keep you going during trial?

like

Any insight on Amundsen & Davis? Salary, billable requirement, culture? Specifically looking at the Chicago office.

like

Do you bill the client for your time during lunch recess for court?

like

Anyone taking the ride share (Uber, Lyft, etc.) misclassified as Independent Contractors mass arbitration cases? I have 150+ people to refer. I need to find a home for these folks. 😑 Thank you!

like

Anyone know of labor and employment defense firms hiring in Miami? Aside from JL, OD, and Littler. I'm having a hard time finding other firms who practice L&E.

Ethics Question: Is it ethical to interview at a firm that your in a case against? In other words, you represent the plaintiff and the firm you are interviewing with is representing a defendant. I can see how their might be the perception that you would "pull your punches" in order to not ruffle the feathers of your prospective employer. Thoughts?

like

I want my exhibit numbers and declaration paragraph references to automatically update in my motion/MPA. Anyone have a way to do this? Trying Word’s Master Document feature, but seems buggy.

likehelpful

Filed a complaint in early May, they filed a motion to dismiss timely, and I responded in a timely fashion as well. During my research on the motion to dismiss I realize that I had cited a section of the statute that I now feel applies less than a different section.

What is my duty to the court? I do feel that both sections of the statute can likely apply, and admittedly the section that applies better I feel has a lower burden of proof.

Can I file a motion for leave to amend post response?

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