When your clients have more compassion about delays than your colleagues…

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That is because I truly believe that 75% of rush deals are really the lawyers fault. Org call, setting timelines. The partners/seniors want to look good for the client, they set a kind of quick deadline. The client says “oh that’s pretty good, you can really get it done by then?” Partner says “yes that is realistic!” Not mentioning that realistic means that the lawyers will have to work late nights and scramble to get it done.

I bet if partners pushed actual real timelines and set expectations, clients would be mostly understanding. “Hey, we can get it done in 4 weeks if absolutely necessary, but from looking at this, 7 weeks accomplished the same goals, and will be a less rushed pace”.

Not saying it would work every time, but I think it would work a lot.

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Some clients, maybe. But a lot of the PE guys are conditioned to want everything done by yesterday.

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For context: I am a senior and run my own deals (so not the issue of a partner unilaterally agreeing to something on a deal) but we are understaffed so there are frustrations even when we work through the night. But yes, it comes from partners not saying no to new business without regard to the people who actually have to do it.

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Having been a client, I would express compassion because I’m not trying to burn anyone out. But honestly, that would give me the impression your firm does not have capacity to handle my work if they’re overworking the associates and I’d be looking to spread out and send the next deal to another firm. It’s not a “punishment” but it absolutely does happen. You may or may not be OK with that but something to keep in mind if you’re a senior trying to make partner.

Oh, I am aware and honestly fair. I just think that this should not become my problem internally.

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