What do you do if you discover partner just approved a motion written by a fellow associate that contains numerous errors?

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

Give the associates the redlines—or give them a heads up if you don’t have approval to bill on the motion. Do not copy the partner.

Gain trust. Fix the motion. All is well.

like

Read as: “Someone please tell me it’s okay to knife my fellow associate in the back.”

likefunny

TA1, that’s ridiculous. Would you just stand aside and watch the garbage be filed?

OP, send this to the author “Hey Tom, hope you had a good weekend. I just took a spin through the motion and noticed a few things you might want to clean up before filing. A redline is attached. Please let me know if you have questions.” Don’t nitpick or change things only to address style preferences. Just do your colleague a quiet favor by cleaning up the black and white errors. We all need a hand now and then and I can’t imagine a negative reaction to this approach.

like

Talk to the associate. No one likes a tattle tale, and my guess is the partner will not look kindly at you snitching no matter your intentions.

like

I mean the partner might. But beyond just wanting to be a good person and colleague, always consider that the other associate could one day be in house counsel—there is just no value to pissing people off in our industry, our paths will continue to cross and collide.

like

We’re talking issues with grammar, punctuation, citation, indentation, etc etc.

I think raise with the associate and then with the partner. Your obligation is to the client and the firm

like

I guess it depends on your relationship with the other associate but I would let them know first.

I think you bring it to their attention and give them the opp to address it. “Wanted to let you know I saw XYZ in your motion that partner had approved. Don’t want you to lose out on the motion because of it.” Or something along those lines.

Something similar has happened to me with discovery projects and I’ve let the other associate know and they’ve corrected. I’ve never gone above their head.

like

Why did you see it in the first place? Perhaps the reason for you looking it over is the pathway to your answer as to how to approach it.

If I were the associate, I’d want you to come to me and tell me. Hell, say you noticed some nits, ask if I’d mind if you proofed it and sent me a redline. Personally, I’ve been super swamped lately and know it’s likely that I’m making some careless errors here and there purely from time constraints. If you could save me from embarrassing myself in front of the court, I’d ultimately be grateful.

(If it’s already been filed, though, don’t bother. I’m not gonna file an errata for grammar errors.)

Why would you do anything

Related Posts

Can I be fired for constantly getting same feedback from my engagement managers that I need to pay attention to details? How do I improve on this?

like

I’d like to get modest appreciation gifts for some of the junior associates I work with (think bottle of wine, maybe chocolate), but some are in other offices. Any recommendations on how to do this, or should I just send them a gift card?

likehelpful

I've never had to fire someone. Tomorrow I will do so for the first time, and I'm really nervous. What do I say?

like

How big of a red flag is it that a company doesn’t have a marketing strategy/plan in place? I’ve been asking for this from my director but alway get some type of an excuse so I’m starting to believe there isn’t one. We are a company with over 200+ employees and 4+ locations

likefunny

What do you do when you need to put in your 2 weeks but the partner you work with the most is not in the office and is ignoring emails? Do you just put in your notice to HR and other random partners?

like

I'm a cashier. We just got a new manager, and she's making things really hard for us. She starts work at 4:30am and leaves around 2:30pm, but she still expects us to stay until 6pm and work on the weekends! She gives us really long shifts and doesn't give us much time for breaks. And when we ask her about it, she gets mad.

I'm worried that if I speak up, she'll make my life even harder. I don't want to lose my job because of this—do you guys have any advice?

like

How do I get better at handling positive feedback? Was told I did a great job and I immediately think the guy’s lying to my face so he doesn’t have to have an awkward conversation with me.

like

How do you get ahead of it when you think your previous employer may not be giving you a great reference?

like

Just got rejected by an opportunity that I was really excited for / aligned perfectly with my interests and skillset. Pretty bummed by it :( How do you all self-motivate after these kind of rejections?

like

For those of you who work in an office:
Do you ever get on Grindr while at the office? Have you ever seen anybody you recognize from work? I’m sometimes curious to see who’s around but also realize it’s kinda dumb.

likefunny

Partner gets upset and calls me to complain every time I don’t turn a draft within 2hrs of receiving an email. This same partner has been sitting on a draft for two weeks. How do I get myself out of this situation? I’m at capacity, working as fast as I can, and they’re stressing me out.

like

My senior basically told me to quite

funnylike

I thought that too of some of the middle eastern and Caribbean island managers I worked with on a job once, but they turned out to be the most supportive and inquisitive. But I feel ya, sometimes you can sense if they'll be hostile toward you. But I don't give af at this point. In the end, they're still professionals working for Big 4 and probably won't dare say anything to you about it, even if it does bother them. Way I see it, ignorant people like that don't go very far working in our industry.

I tweet during the day between tasks and my boss recently followed me. Will he think I'm slacking if he sees me tweeting constantly?

likefunny

Aww, bummed to see this is a dead bowl. Anyone still around?? Getting ready for our first internal off-site and I haven't seen the rest of my team in person for almost 3 years now. I'm more nervous about the new folks that I have only met via Teams, including my 1st-ever direct report. I feel fine in my own skin most of the time but when I am in new and unfamiliar situations I get crazy body dysmorphia and super concious of my physicality. Any ideas on what I can I do to temper those feelings?

like

I'm struggling at work and in the process of adjusting my meds, while simultaneously trying to fix some bad habits that I think came from burnout. I thought having a manager who has ADHD would be helpful. On the contrary, they don't seem to have a lot of empathy or patience for me. I think, in part, because they have theirs under control and are a high performer. Maybe they forgot what poorly controlled symptoms/adjustments feel like? Anyone else have similar experiences?

like

MDs - do you insist that nurses / staff / patients refer to your title as Dr. so and so; or do you allow people to address you by your first name?

like

Tips for dealing with clients whose expectations are unrealistic?

like

Copywriters working full time and freelancing on the side...do you tell your freelance clients that you also have a full time job?

like

I just left a very toxic work place.
The crazy thing is they were just named the best local municipality to work for. It's upsetting. They advertise a "culture" but don'tapply it. It felt like a used car sales pitch, I was sold a dream but given junk. I am constantly replaying moments. I have read so many books and everything leads to they were the problem. How do I recover from this?

likehelpful

More Posts

I am looking to validate a hardware idea. Any thoughts on where to start? Pointers on helpful articles or books welcome.

like

Hi all,

How long does it take for TCS to release the offer letter?HR discussion happened a couple of weeks ago and I have been told that I'll receive the offer letter in 4-5 days. It's been 2 weeks now and no response has yet. Status in ibegin says - Evaluated.

like

Black Sabbath’s self titled 1970 debut release is amazing.

like

Staff1 here: what are some key accounting concepts & technical skills to apply/know

like

What are interesting exits to India people are eyeing? Is there a viable path to escape an inevitable offshore hub?

like

Have a Tax Associate interview tomorrow, and general interview questions I should prepare for ?

any good resume templates for a consulting to buy side move?

like

How is job stability at C1-Architect level in Wipro. I have 12 years exp and will join for skills as Java Full Stack.

like

I am looking to break our of a bedside role into a remote nursing/Healthcare related role in the DC/MD/VA area. Most job opportunities I see are for case management and utilization review but I don't have any experience. Does anyone have any advice or job leads?

like

Hope everyone is doing ok!! Here’s a drawing to pick anyone up who needs it!

Post Photo
likeuplifting

Is Oliver Wyman hiring at the consultant level for the life sciences practice?

like

Any recurited in HCL for DBS bank.
I got selected there. Any idea how is work there?

like

How much time does it take to submit laptop by going to office in my resignation?? Any idea
And after reaching office where to ask for laptop submission ??

Hdfc me naukri krti hu, bank se niklna chahti hu,koi refer krdo, kaafi pareshaan hu.

like

How hard is it to move from a direct investment role at a CRE lending firm to an IB analyst position (not real estate IB)? ~2 years out of school.

like

Subscription finance/NAV lending exit opps? Long term comp?

like

To NYC members: Anyone here planning on sitting for FAR in December or January and would like to join a weekly (or biweekly) study group on the UES?

like

Rupee gira Nahi, dollar majbut ho raha hai 😂

funnylike
like

I’m taking a Microsoft certification course with Excel 2016. Should I opt for the 2019 version or are there few differences?

like

Additional Posts in Litigation & Arbitration

1st year associate here trying my first civil case to a jury in state court at the end of the month (second chair). Any tips, articles, books etc. that would be helpful in preparing would be much appreciated! (And please don’t just recommended reading the evidence rules, that’s the only tip the partner on the case with me has provided so far lol)

like

International arb associates: in general, when does your team have the (almost) final draft ready for the client's review?

On a related question, how far in advance do you start preparing for the hearing (opening, cross, etc)?

I ask because our team is never able to produce a final draft until hours past the deadline (yes, we never meet the deadline set by the tribunal). And our partners don't tell us who should prepare for what until like a week or a few days before the hearing.

like

Any thoughts on Kirkland & Ellis SF office culture? Specifically general lit?

likefunny

Can anyone provide insight on market rate for “of counsel” (practicing 10 years) at a mid-size ID firm in Philadelphia?

like

I’m a 5th year associate and decided to stop taking a paycheck this year for a larger percentage of fees. I’m in a firm that gets a lot of high fee cases but has just 2 attorneys. I have about 20 good nursing home cases and am working out the contract. I don’t think I should pay more than 20% overhead with 40% fees on my cases considering Firm gets 100% of owner cases and 60% of mine. Granted, 99% of my cases came from Firm/Boss. I’ve made about $80K so far . Thoughts? Am I asking too much?

like

Any firms where true billables are 1950 or less?

likefunnyhelpful

Florida: After a car accident can the driver injured in the other vehicle sue the husband (wife was driving the at fault vehicle) for negligent entrustment? Wife & husband both on the car’s title. I understand they have dangerous instrumentality, but how can you say the car was “entrusted” to someone who has rightful legal title to it?

like

Hello!! I'm looking for a recommendation for a courier service that knows their way around the Miami-Dade County courthouse at 73 W. Flagler St, Miami. We are a business located in Seattle and need to pick up and record a certified judgment to obtain a lien. Even though this is a time sensitive matter, it's also sensitive in general, so looking for someone reliable. Thanks!

like

I live in FL and my AC has an internal leak, landlord refuses to replace it anytime soon. Electric bills are now $300 for an apartment. He isn't doing anything about his aside from coming to the unit to see the issue himself. What type of recourse can I get this is insane.

Am I overworked or “lazy”? I do insurance defense and I feel like I can’t keep up with my cases. Does it get easier? Is it like this everywhere?? What are your caseloads like?

like

How do you research arbitrators on Lexi's? Went to litigation analytics but it's only for judges, courts, and attorneys.

like

Those in L&E at small to mid size firms, how is your WLB?

likesmart

Anyword on whether ny courts will be limiting jury trials? Nj has already issued an order.

like

I am 2 years out and have a secretary for the first time. How do I use her? I’m use to doing everything myself at my prior firms.

like