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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
I guess I just want to hear from other lawyers who felt similarly out of place in the party atmosphere and extrovert-centric world of our profession. Did you have a smaller circle of law school friends? Did it ultimately hinder or not affect your professional and social life? How do people like us succeed?[/quote]

NP here.  A veteran of four BigLaw firms, plus two short government stints before that.  I've been a mid level-senior associate, a partner, and now of counsel on reduced hours.  OP, let's focus on your professional life.  First and foremost, focus on your work.  You have an unparalleled opportunity to learn right now, and to transform yourself from one of the pack of juniors into someone that your current clients -- the partners and senior attorneys who call upon you -- can depend on to produce high quality work without drama.  Don't underestimate for one second the importance of this.  Ask good questions, go the extra mile to identify issues, challenge yourself to become a problem solver, and pretty soon you will become popular in the ways you need to be to succeed.

Now, let's talk about the "bro" stuff.  You have to be able to have some social conversation, it's true.  But I said "some."    That's all.  Don't shun firm outings but don't think you have to close the place down, either.  Grab a sandwich with your peers.  Smile.  Be genuine with the non-legal staff.  Keep in touch with the small circle of people you knew in law school, and open yourself up to expansions of those circles and the networks that flow from them.  And if this law firm's culture is truly as obnoxious as you portray, then move on.  Really.

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