If you could do Biglaw all over again...

[Anonymous]

What would you do differently?

Me: Graduating 3L who enjoys reading this board. Looking to hear some perspectives on people who have worked in large law firms and what they'd have done in hindsight regarding work, taking on assignments, dealing with partners and associates, etc. I'll be working in corporate finance and securities.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Really begging for 15 "jokes" about not doing big law at all

[Anonymous]

I left big law 12 years ago as a 7th year. I think it wasn't that bad but recognized I wasn't on track. Now a partner at a small firm and managing associates I realize the mark of a good associate is to do excellent work on every.single.assignment. I wouldn't worry about hours or face time. Just kick ass and be the expert on every little thing you are given. Make yourself indispensable. Partners are busy with client development and their own struggles and will love you if you are the go to associate.

[Anonymous]

Also generally be agreeable. Be tactful in asserting your position on something. Recognize when to take a back seat. Don't be impressed with client contact or trial work. It will come in time. Also it really is a marathon and not a sprint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I left big law 12 years ago as a 7th year. I think it wasn't that bad but recognized I wasn't on track. Now a partner at a small firm and managing associates I realize the mark of a good associate is to do excellent work on every.single.assignment. I wouldn't worry about hours or face time. Just kick ass and be the expert on every little thing you are given. Make yourself indispensable. Partners are busy with client development and their own struggles and will love you if you are the go to associate.

I really like this one! (I'm the OP).

[Anonymous]

OP again - are there any books you can recommend reading so that transactional assignments become easier to understand? Right now I read several legal blogs + the SCOTUS blog and have taken some very useful electives, but I still recognize that it's a steep learning curve. How do you make sure you're an expert from your first year onwards?

[Anonymous]

I was a corporate and securities associate. My advice is to work there for two years then go to the SEC. Big law is a soul sucking way to pay debt. The people I worked with had the must f'ed up home lives you could possibly imagine. I stayed too long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again - are there any books you can recommend reading so that transactional assignments become easier to understand? Right now I read several legal blogs + the SCOTUS blog and have taken some very useful electives, but I still recognize that it's a steep learning curve. How do you make sure you're an expert from your first year onwards?

You will not be an expert for a long time. Expect a lot of secretarial work in the middle of the night for the next year or so. Enjoy your time before starting and don't read a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again - are there any books you can recommend reading so that transactional assignments become easier to understand? Right now I read several legal blogs + the SCOTUS blog and have taken some very useful electives, but I still recognize that it's a steep learning curve. How do you make sure you're an expert from your first year onwards?

When I wrote to be an expert I meant it loosely as an expert in the particular project. Not general areas of practice. Even if it is secretarial work in the middle of the night be the best proofreader. Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a corporate and securities associate. My advice is to work there for two years then go to the SEC. Big law is a soul sucking way to pay debt. The people I worked with had the must f'ed up home lives you could possibly imagine. I stayed too long.

I don't agree with this. When I was a teen I stayed up all night playing board games with friends. Just consider what you are doing is important for the client and work hard and stay positive. "Be s winner." You can do it! (From the guy who wrote the posts you liked.

[Anonymous]

Manage up. Be on top of deadlines and details, because the partners do not have time. Don't be afraid to seem like you are getting ahead of yourself and being bossy.

See the big picture. What does the client actually want? What are the next steps for the path being laid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a corporate and securities associate. My advice is to work there for two years then go to the SEC. Big law is a soul sucking way to pay debt. The people I worked with had the must f'ed up home lives you could possibly imagine. I stayed too long.

Agree with this if you're not planning to try to make partner. I stayed too long and should have left after 2-4 years for the SEC or an in-house job. Although most in-house jobs want more experience - maybe 6+ years. Also wish I'd picked a different focus - I loved the work but corporate and securities transactional work is not family friendly. would have been better to pick a specialty and then I think I could have stayed at a firm without the hours being so brutal. But having kids was not on my mind at the time I graduated.

If you're looking to stay in big law, try to work with as many different partners as you can -- the more people who know you and can advocate for you, the more chances you will make partner. If you're good, one partner may try to monopolize your time, but it's important that many people know you and the quality of your work.

All of the following is obvious advice, but not all associates seem to know it: take the time to proofread your work before giving it to the associate or partner above you (I hated catching stupid mistakes that the associate should have caught if they'd actually read their work); return calls as promptly as possible -- if someone sends you an assignment or emails/calls about something you need to do and you can't do it right way - email them or call them to let them know that you're on it and will do at X time if that works for them (another pet peeve of mine was sending emails with assignments and not hearing back as to whether they were doing it or not); have a great attitude - don't act like something is beneath you (yes - due diligence is not fun, but someone has to do it and your the low man/woman on the totem pole); be nice to the support staff, know their names, etc.; try to make a great first impression - it's true what they say about first impressions so when you start definitely put in the extra time, be visible, don't take a bunch of sick days -- reputation is very important; and try to maintain/expand your network - stay in touch with law school friends, go to occasional events/conferences, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a corporate and securities associate. My advice is to work there for two years then go to the SEC. Big law is a soul sucking way to pay debt. The people I worked with had the must f'ed up home lives you could possibly imagine. I stayed too long.

I don't agree with this. When I was a teen I stayed up all night playing board games with friends. Just consider what you are doing is important for the client and work hard and stay positive. "Be s winner." You can do it! (From the guy who wrote the posts you liked.

Have you ever stayed up three nights in a row working on an IPO? This is not like staying up to play board games and you have proved yourself to be clueless. Imagine being so tired you fall asleep on the toilet, yes on the toilet. Imagine being so tired you literally cannot see. Imagine being so tired you can barely walk. Despite all of this you are not allowed to go home. Until you have lived this life do not give advice. Pay your debts and run my friend. I had successful partners warn me not to get trapped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Manage up. Be on top of deadlines and details, because the partners do not have time. Don't be afraid to seem like you are getting ahead of yourself and being bossy.

See the big picture. What does the client actually want? What are the next steps for the path being laid?

Yes because partners love bossy first year associates. Terrible advice

[Anonymous]

Have a back-up plan for your career. Some associates become so tunnel-visioned on making partner at a big law firm and convince themselves that it's absolutely going to happen if they just work hard enough. There is absolutely zero guarantee of this, even if you're a great associate, so while you should definitely work toward it if it's your goal, keep your mind open to the bigger picture and give serious consideration to other opportunities as they come up.