Sigh. Office romances. They are so cliched. Sure, they usually work out okay in romcoms or chick lit, but in the real world, they are fraught with complications. Especially if one or more of the parties involved are married to other people. That just gets downright messy.
A recent Dear Abby column deals with exactly those complications. Adding a little intrigue to the mix is the location of this potential hookup — a law firm:
Dear Abby: Last week one of my associates asked me out for drinks. I have been working with him for the same length of time that I have been married. I know he’s interested because he has been texting me about unrelated work things and is always flirting. I am very much in love with my husband, but my co-worker is very tempting. I’m worried about hurting my husband, but at the same time I’m excited about what this new man can offer me. Did I mention that he’s the top lawyer of the firm?
AI Is Killing Legal’s Billable Hour. It’s Also Repeating Its Worst Mistake
Law firms and legal departments are writing the future of the profession in separate rooms. What happens when they actually work together?
So this married, tempted associate is just attracted to power, right? “[E]xcited about what this new man can offer me.” I think this letter writer is excited to see what is in his briefs — actual legal briefs, that is. This has to be a reference to bigger cases, right? Or access to clients or firm leadership or something. The letter all but says, “I’ll have an affair to get ahead at work.” That doesn’t seem like a super sustainable career path, as time makes fools of us all.
Dear Abby is having none of this nonsense. First of all, because you know, this letter writer is married, and also because this probably isn’t Don Juan’s first rodeo:
That “Alpha Dog” may want to have a fling with you may be flattering, but it isn’t necessarily a compliment. Take a step back and consider what could happen to your career at that firm and how you would feel if things don’t go the way you’d like. (Example: An attractive woman is hired and you are dropped like a hot potato.) I’m guessing that you are not the first woman this has happened to in that office.
The expert has spoken: an affair at your firm is a terrible idea.
Filevine’s New Legal AI Platform LOIS Turns AI Into A True Legal Coworker
Legal work isn’t slowing down, and the firms that win won’t be the ones working harder — they’ll be the ones working smarter.
Dear Abby: I want to have an affair with firm’s top lawyer [SFGate]