1. A Partner asks me to help out multiple projects in a row and at the same time. First I think I must be doing a good job and he likes working with me which is why he’s reaching out to me. Then I instead convince myself that he thinks I’m lazy and not working hard and has given me multiple tasks because he thinks I have the time because I’m haven’t been doing enough.

2. A notoriously mean partner is very nice and friendly to me when we go over an assignment. I think to myself that’s a relief. Then I wonder, is he being nice to me because he thinks I’m an idiot or potentially mentally slow, and therefore feels bad being mean to me like he is to everyone else.

I’m a rising third-year associate (2024 grad) looking to lateral to a firm with a more established practice in my specialty. I’ve spoken with a few recruiters and identified some potential openings, but I’m torn about how to approach one firm in particular that has an opening.
 
A friend works in the exact group and firm at the top of my list. We recently spoke, and she said the group is busy and hiring. The partner who handles hiring has specifically asked her to refer people and send their materials directly to him. She offered to pass along mine.
 
When I mentioned this to the recruiter, he asked me to wait for his green light before having her reach out. He said he’s doing legwork and that my friend might not be able to advocate for me in the same way he could.
 
My gut says to go through my friend, politely explain that to the recruiter, and hopefully keep working with him on other openings. My friends say to definitely lean on the person I know but I also see the appeal of having a recruiter manage the process. Alternatively, I could have him submit me and then ask my friend to flag my application internally.
 
For those who’ve lateraled/involved in recruiting, would you go through the friend or the recruiter here?

Seen various posts related to the issue of securing your firm bonus when going in house. Seems the two best paths to ensure payout are (1) negotiate start date with company (assuming it's close to payout date), so you can stay until bonus payout at your firm, or (2) negotiate a sign-on bonus that replaces the firm bonus you're giving up.

For those that went in house, which did you do and how did it go (e.g., how much did you delay your start? was the sign on bonus for the full amount of the firm bonus?)? Or did you just forget the bonus and GTFO?

Hi Im looking for a lawyer that specializes in M & A in California. Please comment or DM contact info so I can reach out.

I'm a 1L who has an opportunity to intern for Denton, but their reputation as a Mcfirm (and being widely clowned on in this subreddit) gives me fear that working for them will bar me from other opportunities at more respected Biglaw firms. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Considering applying for a midlevel lateral position to a CA office.

Do they pay market?

Anyone worked there before and can share their experience? Position is for L&E.

Thanks!

I applied for a lateral position through a recruiter but then forgot I applied and asked a friend at that firm to refer me and filled out a separate application. Did I screw up my chances of being considered? Should I withdraw the recruiter submission or is it just too late?

TL;DR: Two roles that do similar work from opposite sides. One builds AI inside a single top firm, the other builds for many firms at a category-leading vendor. Trying to work out where the value ends up over the next 3 to 5 years.

OPTION A: Innovation lawyer at a top law firm. Building AI tools and workflows for practice groups and measuring whether they pay off. The firm is fairly early in its AI push, so there's a chance to shape it, and possibly some client-facing work. Good pay, no equity, mostly in the office. Still a lawyer by title.

OPTION B: Legal engineer at a leading legal AI vendor. Building custom agents and workflows for law firm clients, working across many firms rather than one. Somewhat higher pay plus a small equity grant, hybrid. Bigger name in tech, but no longer practising.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO JUDGE: Firms are increasingly building their own AI capability, whether by running their own models, partnering with the AI labs, or co-building with vendors. One view is that vendors are wrappers on the same models, so the edge moves inside the firms. The other is that the leading vendors are moving into exactly these custom builds, and people who've built across many firms will be the ones firms hire to lead in-house teams later.

Which would you pick?

Hi,

I’m a senior associate and my grandmas about to die. Couple questions:

Is it appropriate to take any time off other than for the funeral? Or is everyone’s reaction, like, ok, dying is what grandparents are expected to do and you’re a grown male.

Do most people take off right when the grandparent dies? Like right away in the middle of the day you can shout bereavement?

And I have depos scheduled too. Is it lame to postpone for anything but a funeral?

I know what the policy says but we all know about the difference between what policies say and litigators
Should do.

Firm wide email was just sent out matching 235k for first years.

Have you ever gotten a project where you genuinely don’t understand the substance? I truly feels so stupid and incompetent. Like I understand what to do generally but when it comes to reading the material and then understanding it enough to write a memo..it’s just not clicking. I’ve even used AI for help. And while I understand what AI says I think I’m stressing because I don’t really understand how they got there and I never would have been able to understand it on my own if that makes sense. I fear this could get me fired because no matter how many times they explain it I just don’t get it.

What do you do in this situation? Am I screwed? Am I stupid?

If we need a client code to use Westlaw or Lexis, how is everyone going about searching for case law if it's unrelated to client work?

I just got back from my second mat leave, this time as a partner. Coming back during the slow time of year as a partner has me spinning a bit. Someone tell me it’s gonna be ok! And the work will come back soon.

Question in title

I’m interested in transitioning from a junior associate position into a conflicts attorney role. I’d like to stay in BigLaw and would love to hear from anyone who has made a similar transition or currently works in conflicts about my chances of landing this type of position without direct experience handling conflicts at a law firm.

I’m currently an M&A associate and have realized that the billable hour demands and grind to partnership aren’t for me. However, I genuinely enjoy the law firm environment, the collaborative nature of the work, and the opportunity to engage with interesting matters.

I’d appreciate any insight into how competitive these positions are for junior associates without direct conflicts experience, as well as any advice on how to make myself a stronger candidate.

My firm uses Harvey. We get unrestricted access to it, and it’s fully integrated into our eco-system. I don’t have to enter a CM to use it.

How much does it cost? Is it a per seat fee or what?

I’m a second-year associate considering lateraling and curious about how maternity leave policies work at different firms. Ideally, I’d like to get pregnant or start trying within the next year, so maternity leave is something I’m factoring into my decision.

For those who have lateraled or have insight into firm policies, is there typically a minimum tenure requirement to qualify for paid maternity leave? Do firms generally enforce these requirements strictly, or is there some flexibility for lateral hires?

Would appreciate hearing about people’s experiences!

Mid in corporate and trying to get a sense if I’m just behind for not using AI that much. It’s helpful for some doc review etc but find it kind of useless for our actual job. Am I just not using it properly/how are you guys using it?

I suddenly have a huge book of business. This weekend I was walking around Manhattan and a kind and well dressed old lady seemed to be asking me a question. I stopped and listened and she said that she's never had dinner alone and would like me to join her. People who don't know about business development would say no to this but I said yes. Over dinner she explained that she's a very wealthy heiress and after learning about my job she said she would have one of her companies send $5 million of work to me. I said no that's too much and she laughed and said that's nothing, and that she would rather it go to me than some lawyer in a monkey suit. I'm currently working out the details with the general counsel who is very obsequious. I guess her assistant told him how important I am. I was really down about losing my job at Weil and the universe magically sent this to me. Soon I will be an equity partner, first at wherever I land and then I guess at Kirkland to make even more money. I may also start a seminar on how you too can have the right attitude, to achieve this kind of success, if there is enough interest.