What does special counsel make at Cooley? M&A specialist - 11th/12th year

Bain fish, does anyone know how utilization in North America is trending for this year?

I have 10 years of experience. Mostly in Unix, C++ and Visual C++ and MS SQL. I developed interest in cloud computing as like many others and was able to clear AWS Cloud Practitioner, AWS Solution Architect Associate and Professional, AWS Security. Along with these I was able to clear 8 Azure certifications as well: 3 fundamentals, Azure Security, Azure Developer, Azure DevOps and Azure Architect.
Now my main question, can I try to switch on Cloud Architect or some other similar cloud roles?

Hi Fishes,
Need 11 likes for DM. Pls help me out & thanks in advance.

I just joined a non-dream company as a 10+ years experience guy. My friend working in my dream company forwarded a job requirement from his internal postings. I want to give it a try but in case I get selected how hard or bad would it be to quit current company? I want to know what consequences I should be ready to face. Can someone please advice?

Anyone else experiencing pencils down?

Hi Fishes,
I have learned basic c# concepts n OOPS. Now planing to learn Asp. Net core. Is it good to learn html and css before starting the Asp. Net core?

Can we talk software? Is anyone using something other than Word or Google Docs for writing and managing their stuff? I’ve been looking into Craft and Obsidian lately, but I’m not sure if it’s just going to complicate things.

So, what do you write in?

Anyone find it cute when your co-workers get excited about establishing a "war room"?

Anyone from CBS ET here? The management is so toxic and pathetic. I want to resign without even having a backup offer. Too scared to take such a step owing to financial responsibilities.
Not able to bear with their shitty attitude.

Do music producers use stock samples in their final productions?

Is it possible to have a Friday attitude on Monday? I need the secret.

Can someone tell me if this is legal? The organization I work for pulled some of us aside today and said they are going to pull back on our salaries to cut costs. Can they do this? Do I have any options here? Can I simply refuse to go along with this?

Has anyone been to the Zoolights at the Zoo? I have never been, I'm relatively new to the area. Is this a good event for a casual walk around date night?

To all the event profs out there, could anyone please advise on what is the base salary of a Senior Event Coordinator in Toronto? Thanks!

Hey street photographers, what are your thoughts of people being identifiable in shots?

I’m in a tough spot—still waiting for conflicts to clear and out of the blue, a partner reached out regarding a project that they’ve staffed me on. They want my availability to begin working on the matter next week…how do I handle this? I haven’t given notice, but expect to do so soon…I don’t think it’s prudent to start a new matter esp. since I know I’m leaving…but I can’t turn down work with a straight face (especially because my hours are in “checked out” mode)…

Any Atomic Habit readers here? I’m brainstorming identity-based habits for two things I want to change:

-I want to bill more hours, so my goal is to become the type of person who bills at least 8 a day
-I want to drink less alcohol, so my goal is to become the type of person who drinks occasionally

Neither of these feel that helpful. Any one have suggestions for other identity-based goals that get at these changes I want to make?

If you are a first year in a stub year, and significantly under billable hours requirement, do firms typically still give pro rated bonus? Do first year stub associates really ever hit their pro rated hours in those 2-3 months?

4th year associate, 200k student loans—think I’ll be able to get a mortgage even with loans? Looking at a place for 450k. I have 3.5 years public interest work that counts towards PLSF and I plan on going back to government so I really don’t care to pay it down.

Most passive aggressive email you’ve ever received go

On a weekday, when can I slow down (respond in 30 mins instead of 5) or go to sleep? I’m sure it’ll depend on deal pace, but in general?

To the lawyer on the other side of the deal that side emailed me about my stupid mistake instead of replying all with the clients and my partner on the chain:

You're my hero and I'd die for you.

I work at a ‘free market’ firm and have developed a very good reputation among partners. Naturally, they are drowning me in work. Each time a new case comes up, the partner will email asking if I have “time and interest” in helping. When I’m at capacity, I take these words at face value and explain why I can’t do it, and that seems to work out ok with no hard feelings. But what’s the “interest” thing? If I don’t want to work on a toxic tort case, do I just say that and pass?

Is it worth leaving big law for a FAANG job? Probably a $50k pay cut plus lose the partner track option for future. I'm probably 3 years away from making partner. Have a friend there already. Heard work life balance is better but comp not as good and lower ceiling. Thoughts?

Recent lateral junior associate in brand new practice where I'm the only associate. I'm probably going to bill 1,500 hours max this year due to being very slow and taking time off for a delayed honeymoon which I disclosed during my interview process. I have been told my work product is good, I don't turn anything down, I participate in non-billable work, I'm responsive and I always let people know I'm available to help. Do I need to be worried about getting fired for low hours?

I’m a first year associate and perpetually concerned I’m going to get fired bc I feel like my work product isn’t at the level it should be. Does anyone have an idea of how easy/ hard it is to get fired?

How long does it take to make at least $300k per year if you are in-house?

It’s year one, month seven, everyone is angry for no reason. I don’t know what day it is. When do people start being nice again? Do they ever? I can’t quick this job. I can’t quit this job. I can’t quick this job...

I’m a junior in big law and in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve noticed that counsels produce perfect drafts and yet aren’t partners but partners can’t write two sentences without numerous typos. Shouldn’t counsels be partners and partners counsels instead?

6th year litigation associate with a lateral offer in hand. Would love any advice on details I should confirm before accepting? I was already thinking year end bonus match without hour requirement and confirm earliest year of eligibility for partner consideration.

What is the average adoption assistance benefit at big law firms?

Need advice. This year I am sitting 16 of my final professional exams. I have a dissertation to do. I have my traineeship to finish. Is adderall a good idea?

Question: do y’all really love this stuff and understand it? Or are you all on the “fake it til you make it” wave? I ask because I’m in a specialty group under the Corporate umbrella and many of the partners and some senior associates are extremely smart and clearly enjoy this stuff. Some even do “night time reading” to catch up on the recent laws. I, on the other hand, cannot wrap my head around it most of the time and would rather not waste energy doing it. Is it just me? What do i do? Quit?

How does one go about switching practice groups within the same firm? I was under the impression it’s better to lateral elsewhere but I do really like my firm, just not the work in this practice area. Want to switch from transactional to litigation.

Anyone know why they call market paying firms “Biglaw”? Why not “Top Dollar Firms”?