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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Op here. It's a writing thing. My legal research and client work is being praised, but I just got pulled in for a review where they said my writing needed much more supervision than they were envisioning and that the quality of the work is poor. Where I came from, I was considered one of the better writers. But it's true that it was a nonprofit.

The partner I work directly under is known for being one of the best writers in our practice area. The partner argues high appellate work, SCOTUS work, is ivy trained and a superstar. The expectations under them are astronomically high - but I want to meet them.

I can't transfer groups because I was brought on for my specialization. Also, I wouldn't want to - I'm happy in this little area of the law. I don't actually think my mentor can give me guidance other than to tell me to work harder - he doesn't work here. He just knows the head partner at the firm and helped get me in here. He doesn't know my direct supervisors.

As for the money, I left a job that paid $49K. We have a kid in daycare and my husband makes a nonprofit salary and we have two professional degrees of student loans to pay off. We actually really needed the money. It's not extravagance.

I think I'm not ready to throw in the towel. I want to try and meet their expectations. If I really can't... I'll leave. But if I can, it will leave me a better lawyer. I just feel awful. I'm going to meet with someone else at my level in the practice group and see what I can do to make the uppers happy. See what is normal in terms of expectations and if there's anything I can read/research about writing style that would help.

It's really hard to have confidence right now. Mostly it's hard not to weep constantly right now. Thanks for the feedback both ways. It's helpful to hear.[/quote]

Wow, OP.  I wasn't sure based on your first post, but after reading this one, I'm certain you can solve this.

You're clearly smart, and you can write.  You likely just need to take your writing up a notch or two.  Start by focusing on exactly what's missing -- what's the gap between what you're producing now and what you should be producing?  Where's the problem? Is it substantive analysis?  Is it presentation?  (The way you organize or structure your memos/briefs/emails?) Is it tone (too factual/not persuasive enough? too formal or informal?)  Is it grammar/sentence structure?  Is it proof-reading?

If you don't know the answer to this, request meetings with your more senior colleagues, one at a time.  Tell them that you are committed to improving your writing - and in fact to becoming an excellent writer -- and that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get there.  What you need from them is feedback -- what exactly is wrong with your writing?  And how can you demonstrate to them that you "get it" and have improved?  (On that note, suggest a follow-up feedback session three months from now.)

In the meantime, stop worrying so much about it all.  I know, easier said than done, right?  Just identify the problem and break down the solution, one step at a time.  From what I can tell, your mindset is the biggest thing standing in your way at this point.  Any smart, hardworking person can learn to write better.  But not if she's so freaked out that she's paralyzed.  (BTW, do yourself a favor and stop the drinking.  You don't need us to tell you it doesn't help the situation either.)

Finally, in terms of substantive help, you might want to check out Bryan Garner's website.  He's a very good legal writing coach -- I took one of his CLEs many years ago and was impressed.  He has lots of easy-to-digest reources on-line for free.  For example:  http://lawyerist.com/10-legal-writing-tips-from-bryan-garner/

You really can do this!  Good luck.  [/quote]

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