Big law, big mistake?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I am afraid of getting fired at big law.
I started in December after a few years at DOJ. The firm is one of the top and asked me to come in as a 2nd year associate (instead of a 4th year). I took the cut which still paid better than GS. Everything has been fine. I was asked to be a summer mentor and lead recruiting efforts and was told that I was a great representative for the firm. My reviews have been solid. A month ago, another associate from my law school who I trust (and who is a 5th year associate) told me in confidence that she heard a head partner say that there isn't a "place" for me here. He has not given me work and seems to be noting that my hours are low (which they are). I've never turned down work but don't have enough and refuse to fudge on hours. She says that she's seen other people "pushed" out by this guy since he is the major rainmaker and thinks my time at the firm is limited. I'm disappointed because I like big law -- the work, the people, the clients, the offices, the training, the free coffee on the floor, and, yes, the paycheck. I've been kind of in a daze since this conversation. I'm not sure what to do. Am I just waiting to be cut? Should I be finding another job? Is big law not a good fit for me even though I love it? This is not an experience I ever had at DOJ. I've been approached by a small firm with only 30 attorneys. Would that be a better fit? |
Anonymous
| Do you trust this other person? If so, start looking. |
Anonymous
|
First I wouldn't necessarily trust this person. They are another associate and also potentially interested in being partner.
Second, I would try to look for more work. Third, is there a partner in the know you could ask about your chances? Make sure you are saving money. And again do not trust this fellow associate. |
Anonymous
| By more work I mean you need to find more work within the firm and bolster your hours. |
Anonymous
| Id take it with a grain of salt, but if its true, Id also start looking and might consider the smaller firm if it is a good boutique. |
Anonymous
| When big law associates get pushed out doesn't it typically happen over several months? Do they actually just up and fire people not for cause? |
Anonymous
|
"Everything has been fine. I was asked to be a summer mentor and lead recruiting efforts and was told that I was a great representative for the firm. My reviews have been solid."
This is your problem - you need to get more billable work and not the 9999 stuff that goes to overhead. Yes, definitely do this, but when asked to do it - presumably by a partner - make sure they know you are happy to take on the extra unbilled work (which is a plus because you are going above and beyond) and are also seeking to add to your billable base. |
Anonymous
| Are you on track to meet your billable requirement for the year? Try to surpass tha target by at least a hundred or so. |
Anonymous
| Don't assume work will just appear. Network with people to get more work. Is there a personnel partner, talent manager, practice leader or other person you can talk to about getting work? Are you in a branch or principal office? If it's a small branch maybe see if you can go to the main office to meet people. |
Anonymous
|
OP back.
By fired, I meant pushed out over a couple months. She expects that because I won't make hours, I'll be told to find something else at my one year mark. I'll be given a couple months to make that transition. I will have some time. I feel like I just started. I don't understand how I can be feeling great and be told that it's not great. It's confusing. I was top 10% of my law school class, DOJ honors, and took a class year cut for this job. This is the first time I've failed at anything. I'll start submitting applications -- to the tiny civil lit firm that reached out to me and others. It's embarrassing and I'm not sure what I'll say if I get an interview. Is this rock bottom? |
Anonymous
|
Don't listen to the gossip, but be aware of it. Unless that is the only partner with work to hand out in your practice area.
Do great work (it will get you more work), network within the firm to get more hours and show that you are trying to get more work. Never turn billable work down. I also doubt that they would only give you a year to ramp up. That's a waste of recruiting money. |
Anonymous
| Are the other associates in your practice area making their hours? If so, then you should be too. |
Anonymous
What do you mean by embarrassing? There's nothing wrong with a small firm, and a lot of the boutiques (niche in practice and/or size) around here are also prestigious and founded by former partners at big law firms. I was approached by a boutique firm, and the partners are all super lawyers. Still deciding if I want to jump from where I am since I don't have to build a book of business in my current position. Also, I would think you may find better work life balance and openness in a smaller firm? |
Anonymous
| Rock bottom? Being employed as an associate in a large law firm and having other options is hardly rock bottom, not even for law. Get some perspective. |
Anonymous
|
You needed better advice when you started. Might not be too late if you start actively seeking work with new people, and get your hours up. You don't wait around in a firm waiting for work to come to you...successful associates go out and pound the floors. Target some good partners (stars in the firm) and see if you can get something, anythjng. Blow it out of the water consistently and you will get some people in your corner that will help you.
It IS all about the money...your billables have to be there. Not padded ones either....no one wants the associate whose time they have to write off. |