Love the Partner, HATE the Associate

[Anonymous]

Anyone have tips for relating? I'm a paralegal in BigLaw who adores the partner I work for. She is all around a great person to work with. The junior(first year) associate I assist on the other hand is a royal pain in the ass, micro-manages to a T and wants more energy than warranted devoted to his work. I don't know how to manage, it's so bad that the mere sight of him makes me want to vomit. We have only been working together for 2 months so I'm giving it time before I go to HR, don't want to cry wolf. Besides, I fear that HR will tell me to suck it up.

How do I manage in the meantime?. I went from loving my job to being grossly annoyed the moment I walk in the door. Should I just quit?

[Anonymous]

Don't quit. Unlikely he will be there long-term (former Big Law associate here).

[Anonymous]

If you work at a Firm that cares about its people, it will be very bad for him if he gets complaints from staff after just two months, particularly if you have been there for a while and are respected and trusted. So you may have a lot more leverage than you think. You might consider approaching the partner to express some of your frustrations and ask her to intervene in a discrete way. I have seen this done very to great effect.

[Anonymous]

Do not quit. The partner will be there for the long haul (most likely), while associates tend to come and go. Also, it is really hard to find a partner that you have a good working relationship with since so many are so difficult and think nothing of the support staff (at least at my biglaw firm). There have been plenty of obnoxious juniors who don't last more than a few yrs. There are others who while they were obnoxious juniors turn out to be adequate/ok mid-levels because if they act like enough times, they are put in their place. I would continue to do your job as you did before he came along, push back on him a little if you need to (bc he can't get you fired no matter what he thinks) and you'll be fine. BTW - why would you quit or go to HR without talking to the partner first? Chances are she will get it and can put a stop to it if his behavior gets out of control

[Anonymous]

Pssh, a good paralegal is way more valuable and hard to come by than a first year associate.

As a veteran BigLaw lawyer, I think you should have a candid discussion with your partner. Most partners I've worked with over the years would take your side, particularly because it is a well known fact that first year associates are largely worthless and need to be put in their places.

[Anonymous]

Don't go to HR. If he needs something and you are unable to assist tell him, "I'm sorry I can't help you with that right now, I'm busy with a project that BOSS LADY assigned. If you'd like you can go to her to discuss."

He won't go to her. If it gets too bad, you will need to speak with her directly. Have examples so that it's not a case of you being dramatic or making generalizations.

[Anonymous]

If the partner your support is so great, why dont you talk to her Im sure she would councel you on how to approach the junior ass hole.

PLEASE DO NOT GO TO HR!! HR is the kiss of death. you will forever be a marked woman. Instead of a scarlet A on your arm, you'll be wearing a bulls-eye on your ass.
HR hates complainers, and unless you have a legit complaint - you will get laughed at with a note in your file that says 'cry baby...wah...wah...". Sounds like the Junior is a douche that thinks he's more than he really is, which tells me he would respect you if you pushed back. Youre not going to lose your job over it, as long as you have a stellar record.

[Anonymous]

Forgot to add, watch SUITS and see how Donna handles herself

Take notes!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like consensus: go talk to the partner.

[Anonymous]

Talk to the partner - be subtle about it (not a cry session), but just let it be known that the first year is causing unreasonable demands. Former big law associate here and I know some paralegals who were more valued than senior level associates. A first year associate causing problems? Psh.

[Anonymous]

It depends. If the associate work in the same practice group and the partner has some kind of say in what gets delegated to you, I'd talk to him/her. If they never see each other and don't work together you might just have to have a candid discussion with the associate.

[Anonymous]

Go out to lunch with some other associates who work in your department or sit near that associate, and ask if they have any tips for working well with Annoyance. Their reaction to that opener should be very telling.

[Anonymous]

Ignore him like a proper paralegal should. You have established a good working relationship with the partner and are far more valuable than a dime a dozen first year associate lucky enough to even be employed, especially in a field related to his JD. You know he is more likely not to become a partner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pssh, a good paralegal is way more valuable and hard to come by than a first year associate.

As a veteran BigLaw lawyer, I think you should have a candid discussion with your partner. Most partners I've worked with over the years would take your side, particularly because it is a well known fact that first year associates are largely worthless and need to be put in their places.

This. Signed former biglaw lawyer who worked with his fair share of great paralegals and crappy associates.

[Anonymous]

Get the Harvard Business Guide to Managing Up. http://hbr.org/product/guide-to-managing-up-and-across/an/11126-PDF-ENG