Advice for Summer Associates: Try Not To Be Socially Awkward (And Other Words of Wisdom)
It’s been quiet here at Above The Law in terms of chatter about the summer associate experience. SAs seem a wee bit scared to reach out to us this year. We’re trying to gather submissions for the SA Event Contest, and we’ve only gotten five submissions! And one is a fishing trip.
Is the summer associate experience really that lame this year? Or are you all just terrified to send us an e-mail with a little braggadocio about your summer events? There are workarounds, you know. One SA printed an event announcement and sent it to us snail mail style.
(Just a reminder that all tips are anonymous, so send us more submissions. Just do it from your personal account, or on Facebook, or via carrier pigeon.)
Okay. Okay. We understand your reticence. SAs are stressed out about getting job offers in this competitive environment. Georgetown Law sent out a memo to its students predicting that most firms will be offering jobs to 50 to 80% of their summer associates. They then offered some advice for current SAs, which basically consisted of “things to think about doing in case you don’t get an offer.” Georgetown also advised checking out a piece that appeared in Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly: Some Words of Advice for Summer Associates of 2009 [PDF].
In case you didn’t surf over to it, we’ll boil it down for you, along with some of our own advice, after the jump.
The article [PDF] was authored by Stephen Seckler, a legal consultant. Here’s his advice, along with our thoughts.
Be very aware of making a good first impression. While this is good career advice in general, this summer many of you will have a short period of time to demonstrate your potential. Show a positive attitude right from the start. There will be no time for second chances.
This is a good time to query all your friends about the first impression you make. It may contribute to your neuroses and increase your number of visits to the shrink in the future, but you should find out now whether you have a sweaty-palm handshake, a tendency to nervously forget to blink, or a happy-to-meet-you-smile that teeters between positive and positively creepy.
Ask good questions when you get assignments. Asking for clarification is a way to demonstrate that you understand what is being asked. It is also a way to increase the likelihood that you will do what the supervisor intended.
Don’t ask dumb questions though.
Attend every social function that you can. Even if you are an introvert, don’t underestimate the importance of building relationships while you are a summer associate. Doing good work is of course important. But this summer it behooves you to try and build some political capital as well. In order to accomplish this, you have to get out of your office and meet some people.
Translation: try not to be socially awkward.
Have more fun. No one wants to work with an automaton. Show a little personality.
(And if a summer chooses to show A LOT of personality, say after a few drinks at a firm happy hour, please, please send us an e-mail about it. We miss Summer Associate stories, and we’re sure you do too.)
If social situations make you uncomfortable, keep your expectations low. If you can find just one or two lawyers to talk to, that’s fine. Ask about their work. Try to find out why they chose firm X. (People love to talk about themselves, and if you are an introvert, you are probably a good listener.) Talk about the function you are attending, and if you can, something non-work-related. But keep it positive. “The veal is a little over cooked” is unlikely to score you many points. In contrast, finding out that a senior associate is also an avid runner will help.
Translation: If you are socially awkward, find two partners who are also socially awkward and make them your friends.
Be proactive about seeking out work. There will not be enough billable work to go around this summer, so talk to associates and partners who are doing work that interests you. Find out who is busy, and let them know you would be happy to help. Listen for their pain points. Maybe they have form files that need to be reorganized. Maybe there is pro bono work where you can play a role. Maybe someone is speaking at an industry function or CLE program, and they need help preparing their materials. If a partner or associate talks about something that interests you, find out if they need help. Lawyers are not always the best at delegating, and believe it or not they may not have thought of it.
There’s lots of creative work you can do. Maybe a senior associate would like you to rearrange their office furniture. Or maybe they have dry cleaning you can pick up for them!
There was a little hullabaloo this summer about “fake work assignments.” Summers were freaking out that there was not enough work around for them to do, but a little digging on our part revealed that firms have been doing this since the 80s. So stop freaking out and get to (fake) work! Screw it up, and your lack of an offer will be very real.
Look for opportunities to “shadow.” While there may not be enough work to go around, there will certainly be opportunities to observe what lawyers at the firm are doing. Ask if you can sit in on a negotiation or join a lawyer for a court appearance or a deposition.
Shadow, but don’t stalk.
Get to know partners and associates, but do not forget about paralegals, secretaries and other support staff. These individuals usually know a lot about the inner workings of the firm, and, in many instances, they can provide you with good guidance to get your job done more effectively. In some cases, their opinion of you will also count. Furthermore, support staff may be aware of who in the firm is busy (and, therefore, who may be a potential source of work).
Be nice to everyone. Here’s an upside to all this. Usually, it’s frowned upon for SAs to get frisky with each other, lawyers, partners and support staff. But since there’s only a 50% percent chance in some cases that you’ll be back at the firm, go wild!
But you may not want to take our advice. Apparently, it’s dangerous and dubious [PPT - Slide 7].
Some words of advice for summer associates of 2009 [Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly]
Earlier: Advice For Summers From Georgetown
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FIRSTACULAR YAWN
kiss ass
Class of 09 is firsty for work.
Slide 7 & 8 fail on that powerpoint...
former thacher partners keep calling me in the middle of the night and saying...things. Angry, sexual things.
Wow. Summers are so scared they won't even post a comment.
I've wondered where and when this "summer associate" excrement began. Back in my day (harrumph harrumph) we were called "clerks" and there was nothing stupid or pretentious about that really. "Summer associate" is absurd, awkward to say and devalues the already devalued term "associate."
Can't we use something more honest and accurate? A few modest proposals -- "serf", "helot" "vassal"
Wait for it.........
PE:, You are all nothing but mere peons caught in the world of nothingness, in which you are immaterial but nevertheless important to making us partners feel good about ourselves.
Imagine if you put out this blawg for a living. What an empty, banal, meaningless existence.
Please tell us about the fishing trip.
This is why I hate law students as a whole. So neurotic and insecure. For most of these middle-class strivers, success at a law firm in their diluded minds is their own path to happiness. Such miserable people, and yet they don't even realize how miserable they are.
hey 7 i like helot a lot
11 = diluded [sic]
This blog = TTT now
Apparently abovethelaw is "local national" media yet is also "dangerous" and "dubious."
Also, that ppt looks like my retarded niece created it.
Wow. Wonder if the front page of the WSJ tomorrow will complain that no one sent in any good tips so they really don't have any news to report.
if "kimball professional management" cannot put together a respectable looking powerpoint or website, i shudder to think what kind of "contacts" they have at "top chicago firms".
I am a summer, suck on my awkwardness until your faces cave in, whores!
"(And if a summer chooses to show A LOT of personality, say after a few drinks at a firm happy hour, please, please send us an e-mail about it. We miss Summer Associate stories, and we're sure you do too.)"
If you rat out a colleague's stupidity to ATL, you have ensured that summer WILL NOT get an offer.
So, if you are looking to be a total dickhead and reduce competition...
Kash,
It's funny that your livelihood depends on ruining other people's lives.
Today is bring your pet to work day. All summer associates may bring one, and only one, ass lobster to the office. If your ass lobster is named Kash, you can bring two.
This is not Kash talking, its her asslobster. Don't blame her for what her anal crustacean says.
Where is Laurie Lyn with LEWW?????
7--You can't use 'a modest proposal' unless you are going to suggest we eat the summer associates
19--what are you new?
SAs don't have time to post their experiences on ATL.
They are WAY too busy working on fake assignments right now.
Why are you still giving Latham such a hard time for the "fake" work? Latham proudly follows the One Firm* model, not just geographically but temporally as well. At Latham, you'll collaborate seamlessly with your colleagues, whether they sit in other offices, backwards in time, or at the unemployment office. Latham, where Nietzsche's eternal recurrence lives strong: work never dies, summer associate insecurities never alleviate, layoffs never go out of style, and associates are always incredibly hot.
* "One" Firm = .55 Firm in New York
The most prudent thing an SA can do is produce 2-3 good writing samples. Make sure each is less than 10 pages (or can be edited to less than 10 pages) and is sufficiently general in nature that it can be easily redacted to protect confidential info. Seriously, if you do this, you will help yourself get an offer (by handing in good work product) and set yourself up to apply for other jobs (if you need to).
26 FTW!
"7--You can't use 'a modest proposal' unless you are going to suggest we eat the summer associates"
There are one or two that look tempting this summer. You know your Swift but I think it is fair to say that using "modest proposal" to signal any absurd or outlandish is now part of repetoire.
On a serious note, I feel sorry for the current crop of clerks at almost any firm. Things were pretty grim when I graduated in '92 but I was able to find a place with a good firm and matters worked out. Many of my friends and classmates were not so lucky.
The clerks today are truly fucked on a grand scale. I get lateral resumes everyday --many of them and most are excellent. We don't have to hire recent graduates and apparently won't have to for at least 2 more years. In life, as in comedy, timing is everything.
7
apparently GULC is full of social morons.
"7--You can't use 'a modest proposal' unless you are going to suggest we eat the summer associates"
There are one or two that look tempting this summer. You know your Swift but I think it is fair to say that using "modest proposal" to signal any absurd or outlandish is now part of repetoire.
On a serious note, I feel sorry for the current crop of clerks at almost any firm. Things were pretty grim when I graduated in '92 but I was able to find a place with a good firm and matters worked out. Many of my friends and classmates were not so lucky.
The clerks today are truly fucked on a grand scale. I get lateral resumes everyday --many of them and most are excellent. We don't have to hire recent graduates and apparently won't have to for at least 2 more years. In life, as in comedy, timing is everything.
7
"Apparently, it's dangerous and dubious [PPT - Slide 7]."
And yet it's recommended that students "master" ATL. Not sure I follow that one.
Kash you are nearly as retarded as Elie. I posted in another thread that a summer went apeshit at a firm happy hour last week. I know for a fact the kid has gotten completely shitfaced at two happy hours this week and made inappropriate comments. Not to mention the shenanigans during the day. Do alittle reporting and find this kid. Much laughter will ensue.
32 - Nailed it!
kash is gorgeous
Do you think it's a fake assignment if I'm writing a memo on how to get electronic evidence from social networking sites and blogs from anonymous sources into evidence?
32 - You guys need to email tips@abovethelaw.com with what you know. Do it from your personal iPhone or home computer if you're paranoid.
What firm was this at?
Did the kid get fired?
36
32 here. No the kid hasn't been fired. He's well liked among the firm it appears. This kid kinda has a knack for doing stupid shit however.
SAs should take it up the ass at every request, always taking a moment to give a reacharound. Then, SAs should take the money and run, because you'll be better off almost anywhere other than BigLaw. Why would you want to ruin you lives by working in such shitholes. If shitholes are your thing, just go back to bending over and taking it up the ass.
Kash,
How are you even remotely qualified to give job tips to summer associates as a non-lawyer who's never been in BIGLAW? If you're just doing a cut and paste job from other sources, what is your value-added to this blog?
Just saying...
Kash,
Wanna play just the tip? You know, just to see how it feels?
Michele 0b@ma's Penis
My firm took me golfing and paintballing...too bad they cut all salaries by 10%.
#19 pretty much nailed it. Summer associate stories were fun when 90% of SAs were getting offers, but now? Kash, when you're done with journalism school, please go do something other than write for this piece of shit blog.
"Attend every social function that you can. Even if you are an introvert, don't underestimate the importance of building relationships while you are a summer associate. Doing good work is of course important. But this summer it behooves you to try and build some political capital as well. In order to accomplish this, you have to get out of your office and meet some people."
No, this summer it behooves you to try TO build some political capital. Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine.
Here's what summers should do -- anything and everything any actual lawyer asks of you. You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done.
If summers want to feel really depressed about how bad their timing is, read this article: http://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/14/nyregion/but-no-80-s-excess-at-law-students-summer-programs.html
I literally got all tingly when I read it. Those were glorious times.
What a pathetic state of affairs. This blog has fallen so far that it has to beg people for news. If this isn't a sign of ATL's greatly diminishing relevance, I don't know what it. Kash and Elie are essentially what the Bulls were after Jordan left: an absolute embarassment.
I know I'm probably going to be banned from making comments for being critical of the site. Again. But acting like a petulant child when it comes to criticism isn't going to change the fact that you are terrible at what you do.
Advice for SAs:
You are not in your bedroom at your parents' house! This is an OFFICE ENVIRONMENT so please at least PRETEND you are a PROFESSIONAL and imagine how one would act. Therefore, when you are in your VERY TEMPORARY PRIVATE OFFICE WITH A WINDOW please take advantage of that thing called a DOOR and shut door if you are going to be playing music loudly. Particularly if said "singing" that you play OVER AND OVER AND OVER sounds like something that is dying in pain!!!
More advice: Unfortunately your mother and/or her full-time house maid that used to take care of you do not work here. Therefore, do not make messes around the office and not clean them up. Throw your food garbage IN YOUR OWN GARBAGE CAN OR IN THE GARBAGE CAN IN THE COMMON KITCHEN AREAS. Do not leave print out paper all over the place. Put it in a recycling bin where it belongs.
More advice: Do not stand around in the hallways and talk loudly about nothing. If you are a female, be conscious not to constantly emit high squeaky giggles every two seconds! If you want to bond with the other SAs, I cannot stress enough that you do it BEHIND THE DOORS OF YOUR VERY TEMPORARY PRIVATE OFFICES WITH WINDOWS in order not to annoy everyone else.
Signed,
Someone Looking Forward to When SAs Leave
45-
Didn't the bulls make a strong run the year after Jordan left (the first time)?
Whatever happened to the Minnesota quasi-lesbian chicks? They were fun.
Recession or not, some summers will screw up a big opportunity. So far at my Biglaw....one summer blew off an assignment and has also failed to show for most practice group meetings where the practice group's work is explained. He is blowing off assignments from the few areas with work. He declares he wants to do X practice work even though that area in the firm is crumbling. Another summer is so lazy that she asks partners how to find X, Y and Z on Westlaw. Still lazy even when told "Fine - just use Lexis" AND a senior associate tipped her that the librarians are experts on Lexis and Westlaw. She can't even use Google.
Anyhow, these types will benefit even the most marginally astute summers. Offers won't be to 100% of the class, but don't worry...though your office mate seems "nice", he/she might be completely incompetent.
BTW, to head you off at the pass:
1. The 2 summers in ? are top 10 law schools.
2. They are white, from upper middle class backgrounds, and not "affirmative action" babies or whatever.
Kash, Marry me?
if you are smart about it, you can keep shit private. as a SA i hooked up with a married attorney. nobody ever found out. to avoid awkwardness, however, i chose to go elsewhere in the end. i know several other SA who carried on affairs with married/unmarried associates. it's more common than you think. keeping your clothes on is less important than doing decent work.
i agree with 52. i hated my firm, except the times i hooked up with a married associate and a partner. they --not the doc review--made the summer worthwhile.
"it's more common than you think. keeping your clothes on is less important than doing decent work."
As long as you're more concerned about your job than being a dirtbag and potentially ruining someone else's marriage and messing around with their kids' childhood - yeah, I guess it is.
""Have more fun. No one wants to work with an automaton. Show a little personality.
"(And if a summer chooses to show A LOT of personality, say after a few drinks at a firm happy hour, please, please send us an e-mail about it. We miss Summer Associate stories, and we're sure you do too.)"
----
So have fun.
Relax.
Don't be awkward.
But if you screw up, we're going to post it on the internet for all the world to see, including everybody at your law school and firm, from now until the end of your career.
For you younger assocaites who are being canned or in fear of, the Lateral Link job opening with a 27-attorney firm in NC is an excellent opportunity. I know this firm well, along with knowing the senior partner very well. These guys/gals make a ton of money. They start salaries for first year at $135K. You can make partner is 6 to 7 years. You'll be trying cases during your first year. They do top line product liability, along with top line transactional work. The firm is located in Raleigh/Cary, NC. I don't belong to this firm, but when I saw the ad, I knew this was the firm. Go for it if you have the guts to really practice law.
"[A] little digging on our part revealed that firms have been doing this since the 80s."
Translation: Sitting on our asses and reading the comments confirmed what was a surprise to no one except us and provided us with the information that we were too lazy to gather through actual reporting.
35
make sure you work in anti-SLAPP.....
44 - No joke, that 1997 NYT article is my summer. Not every firm is hurting. I'm eating 2 hour lunches, going on 3-4 social outings a week, and we got a raise this year. Work is dripping from the ceilings.
Why does ATL focus so much on the T100 firms that are sucking wind when there are plenty of firms still printing money? It's not all mayhem in the streets... our PPP up 26% YOY, and it wasn't low before. 2Ls, do yourself a favor: skip the grim ATL news and dig around to find the healthy firms. They're out there.
ATL is pathetic and so is the person who wrote this article
first time looking at this website's blogs. They're just as stupid and useless as any other site with the same vincitive, bitchy A-holes blogging. If one wants to know what attorneys' characters are truly like, merely read the blogs. So sayeth the Shepherd, so sayeth the Flock!
Tip for ATL: do your own damn reporting work and stop relying on anonymous tips from summers--if things are slow on the news front, change your methods;
actually, why don't you just move off the SA topic. It's not the time in this economy-yes, that's right, ITE--for this bullshit.
People don't care. It's not funny to hear about the SA sleeping with the partner's wife or the guy who broke the window with his golf club or whatever the fuck passes as amusing here. No one cares when livelihoods are on the line.
I agree with 62 -- gossiping about which summer associate will ruin their career is simply not funny ITE. Lives are being shattered on a daily basis. The summers are understandably scared out of their minds.
I know you're running this blog for profit, but you also need to understand that real people are being impacted and should act accordingly.
More advice for SAs:
Go home at a timely hour! Don't hang around here doing your NON-BILLABLE practice work and take a car service home at our expense. Look around you. Even the PARTNERS ride the subway if they stay late doing non-billable work. If you waste our money, don't expect us to want to see you darken our doorways again once you graduate law school!
one could argue that married associates and partners are ruining their own marriages. don't blame it on the summer. blame it on the person with the ring who promised fidelity for the rest of his/her life.