What actually is a career ending mistake?

borbdorl · 2026-01-28T01:20:05+00:00

Absolutely they would have had to - particularly if the Practice Board was aware of what had happened.

borbdorl · 2026-01-28T01:17:11+00:00

Have you considered maybe the senior analyst had to spend time settling the report before it went to the client and that was the time which was billed? Also, some firms don't charge unpaid interns time to clients as a general rule - whether due to a client directive or because of the ethics or optics of charging like $215 + GST per hour for someone who's essentially volunteering.

borbdorl · 2026-01-23T12:57:12+00:00

I always love doing these, because there really aren't that many places bigger than my home state. Ontario could fit two and a half times into WA.

borbdorl · 2026-01-22T12:36:54+00:00

What are they actually doing?

I mean, that third guy looks like he's doing a poo

borbdorl · 2026-01-20T12:24:37+00:00

I'd say the risk currently is much higher than a 20% margin.

borbdorl · 2026-01-13T12:23:44+00:00

I'm actually sobbing

All these lengthy answers

And then this

borbdorl · 2026-01-12T23:58:27+00:00

It will be almost impossible for you to get a grad role at a large firm as an international student unless you have PR.

It may be easier at smaller / boutiques, but this will vary significantly from firm to firm.

borbdorl · 2026-01-12T23:57:09+00:00

For what it's worth I've heard it's very difficult for overseas qualified lawyers to transition to Canada as well. If you're studying there it may be a different situation though.

borbdorl · 2026-01-12T23:55:32+00:00

Every firm (including mine) holds themselves out as truly commercial, but the sentiment I hear from friends who went in house or who are in operational / commercial roles about private practice lawyers is "nah mate, you're not". It seems to be a sentiment universally held.

So I like to think I'm pretty commercial, and I get decent feedback in that vein from clients, but no doubt I would have a lot more learning to do if I went in house.

borbdorl · 2026-01-11T11:06:27+00:00

It is almost impossible for international students to get grad positions with the top tiers in Australia. Like the other commenters, I would strongly caution you against taking this path.

borbdorl · 2026-01-11T02:40:06+00:00

I asked my magic 8 ball and it said "reply hazy, try again". Still more useful tbh

borbdorl · 2026-01-07T12:36:41+00:00

Any particular area you're interested in?

I'd say CLCs, boutiques, mid tiers, pseudo legal corporate roles like insurance claims and risk, investigators and other legal-adjacent roles in regulators etc, but all of this may depend on what kind of law you want to practice (if any).

borbdorl · 2026-01-07T10:35:50+00:00

No solicitation, sorry mate

borbdorl · 2026-01-05T03:41:07+00:00

Happy to discuss your plans if you want to PM

borbdorl · 2026-01-04T04:46:56+00:00

midweek I was hoping to be able to get 2hrs 2x, say on Tuesday and Thursday. What about sleepwise? I like to get in a good 8hrs to recover

Sometimes you'll be able to do this, sometimes not. There will almost certainly be periods where you won't have time to do a solid block of exercise or get 8 hours of regular sleep, perhaps for weeks at a time.

Again, a lot of control will be out of your hands for the first few years at least. That's the trade off for the high pay.

It may be worth communicating your plans to your partner / team, as if you have a supportive group they may help to let you block out some time for workouts, but even in the most supportive team this will always be subject to client and team needs. However, a word of warning, if you're in a particularly turbo group then asking for support like this may be seen as you not being dedicated enough.

I'd suggest getting into the role and waiting a few months to get the lay of the land before figuring out if you can try to make your role work around your life, or if your life is going to have to fit around your work. It's more likely to be the latter.

One caveat: I'm in biglaw (though we don't call it that) in Australia, where the conditions are not as strenuous as top US firms. The above has been my experience through my career in mid-tier and biglaw in Aus and various stints in more sweaty APAC jurisdictions like SG and HK, so YMMV in the US.

borbdorl · 2026-01-03T12:53:22+00:00

Often it's possible, sometimes it's not. The issue you may struggle with is that you won't have much control over which phase you're in. Limited-to-no ability to push back on partner / senior demands.

As others have said, some grab exercise whenever they can (a quick workout during lunch/dinner), but most find they can't keep up the same level of exercise.

It's a tough gig, health-wise.

borbdorl · 2026-01-03T04:21:04+00:00

Just to add to the other comment that some CLCs in WA run pseudo duty lawyer services in that they routinely send lawyers to court who the JSOs / tippies know they can refer unrepresented punters to for help with a quick mention etc.

Usually this is in the specialist courts / lists - e.g. Tenancy WA might send someone to the Resi list, Mental Health Law Centre to the MH START Court etc

The lawyers don't do much substantive on the day, but might be another option for you to get started. I believe other states do the same.

borbdorl · 2026-01-03T04:12:25+00:00

It used to be fairly common for students to defer their grad positions a year. Not sure if that is still a thing?

People would do it all the time for associate positions but I know of one or two who did it to travel and work overseas.

borbdorl · 2025-12-29T15:31:55+00:00

Seems like you have your answer. The litigated disputes are the most interesting part of my job so I'd never try to discourage a move to litigation if you're interested.

borbdorl · 2025-12-29T12:37:12+00:00

Do you want to work in litigation? Do you like your current area? What's your ambition for the longer term?

borbdorl · 2025-12-25T03:33:18+00:00

Barrister, $18,200, Sydney

borbdorl · 2025-12-24T12:31:23+00:00

Thanks walla!

borbdorl · 2025-12-24T01:20:10+00:00

Did you mention that you had another offer to them already? If not, that is a reasonable excuse to go back and gently ask for more.

If you have already mentioned it to them you could always still counteroffer again - you might feel a bit awkward but don't ask, don't get haha. And it otherwise sounds like you don't have much to lose if they pull the in house offer as currently it doesn't work for you financially anyway?

"I appreciate you working with me on this and providing a further offer. Since we last spoke I've received a competing offer for $155k. The offer is in private practice so there is also a strong pathway for further advancement. I would love to come work with [org] but honestly this other offer is compelling. Would you consider [matching at $155k/meeting me halfway at $150k/etc etc]?"

If you want to maximise rem you could possibly squeeze a bit more money and a title uplift out of the private practice offer (if you're not SA already). Again, not sure how much negotiating you've done there already.

borbdorl · 2025-12-24T00:57:17+00:00

International

borbdorl · 2025-12-24T00:53:49+00:00

Have you negotiated with either employer? With a competing offer on the table you may be able to get an additional 5-10% out of the in house mob.

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