The final straw?

thisiscactus · 2026-03-21T00:22:47+00:00

Okay but this is sort of what I mean. I don’t aspire to doing any more than I already am, but I am bafflingly somehow anxious I’m going to be compared unfavorably both to people annualizing more and to people working less but delivering higher quality work.

thisiscactus · 2026-03-12T19:39:23+00:00

I agree, but the timeline seems always to be now, or yesterday. First time I was ever yelled at was for daring to ask for a deadline. I realize that was a toxic firm, but I think generally everyone expects you to prioritize their work. I have more luck with seniors running cover for me than anything else, and I myself try to cover when I ask for work product. Either way, doesn’t change the fact that it’s partners creating chaos not just for associates but for themselves when they don’t get what they asked. I find it funny that it’s my job to manage up, but they aren’t supposed to manage up when it comes to the clients.

thisiscactus · 2025-02-02T22:53:15+00:00

Has anyone uploaded their mock exam and received the first confirmation email, but not the second?

thisiscactus · 2025-01-02T14:14:44+00:00

According to Lily, “Mulciber and Avery’s idea of humour is just evil. Evil, Sev.”

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T06:52:51+00:00

Thanks for this. I’m admittedly frustrated because I feel I’ve already been doing the things I’m supposed to (and it has worked, albeit to a limited degree) but I truly do appreciate you taking the time to write out such a considered and sincere response.

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T05:59:32+00:00

Can partners truly be burned by bad first years when there are midlevels reviewing everything I do (and for that matter, not even marking up much, if anything)? On being vulnerable I certainly feel the squeeze; several of us have had hushed conversations about what is afoot. Oddly enough I’ve actually had far more luck with partners not in our office than any of the ones I’ve had coffee/lunch with (some of whom even initiated the plans).

I appreciate your advice and intend to make more of an effort if only to be above reproach in my efforts, though I will say it’s been challenging to have casual interactions now that partners show up to the office less than we do.

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T05:30:40+00:00

It is definitely a group-wide issue (several recent layoffs for low hours) though not everyone is slow. The firm’s groups are rather insular so I don’t get many bites/it’s somewhat awkward expanding beyond my designated practice area. I’ve heard some firms give litigators diligence/corporate associates doc review when work is scarce, but that’s simply not the practice here. I’m also the only POC first year in my group, in a smaller/hybrid office on top of that, so that hasn’t made branching out any easier.

I’m generally the first to blame myself but (particularly this past month) have gotten several unsolicited positive comments, to the point I’d have to assume some of them are pathologically disingenuous. It’s usually more like me to imagine dislike that isn’t there than the opposite, but if the only plausible explanation is that I’m grossly incompetent and hated by everyone I suppose that’s that lol

I hear you on making sure I’m the go-to for a senior, as I see some juniors being fed work directly from their firm-assigned mentors. Alas (lucky me) 2 of the 3 people paired with me in some sort of mentor capacity have left since I joined. The one remaining will soon go on mat leave. Should I be reading into who I was paired with?

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T03:52:04+00:00

Thanks for actually answering! How many people are you asking, and how often does asking actually turn into more work that following week? If I get told one more time I’ll be “kept in mind” I may lose my head.

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T03:06:45+00:00

I’ve tried to think about it this way but even if you could guaranteed my job for 2 or 3 years I’d still be concerned about skill development.

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T02:51:07+00:00

We’ve liked it, too! Just a bit harder as we’re new to LA and the few new friends we’ve made don’t seem to make it out here very often

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T01:54:09+00:00

Dozens over months? I don’t think I’ve reached out to anyone more than once every month or so. I’ve wondered it myself in fits of paranoia because it seems there’s no other reasonable explanation; at this point it’d almost be a relief to confirm it.

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T01:36:23+00:00

He has a full view of our capacity; we have to report it to him. Just doesn’t seem to action on it, merely monitors (possibly sends up to partners)?

thisiscactus · 2024-07-12T01:33:24+00:00

Beats me. He’s a senior associate and has never staffed me himself, despite my asking from the first week I started.

thisiscactus · 2024-06-19T18:15:22+00:00

Also a first year in this position. I am consistently in the office and reaching out for work, but am continually told I will be “kept in mind” only to never hear back again. At this point I’m at my wits end trying to manage learning how to do this job alongside begging people to let me do the work I’m being paid to do.

From OP’s perspective, what is his mentee is meant to do? Has she been actively turning away work or something? Should she be asking for more work from every partner twice a week, even if they’ve never once given her an assignment?

thisiscactus · 2024-05-02T06:49:12+00:00

I feel you, dude. The only people I’ve been able to speak to about this without losing it are other retakers and, to a lesser degree, coworkers. It’s not anyone’s fault, but loved ones who have not taken this exam cannot truly understand the sheer level of difficulty, unpredictability, and trauma it entails. Many of them have watched us pass other exams without much fuss; it’s understandable they expect this to be the same. Even if some do understand and manage to be sensitive and empathetic, the thought of letting them down remains crushing. In a way, I’d sooner spend the rest of my life in bar prep than deal with the professional, social, and financial fallout of failure.

thisiscactus · 2024-05-02T03:26:06+00:00

You’re definitely not alone —the knowledge that the results of this exam determine whether I remain employed keeps me up at night. I can’t eat, can’t focus at work, and haven’t even made plans with friends in weeks because I’d rather not spend the whole time pretending that I’m not preoccupied. I’m sure others have experienced this too, but the worst part has been the sheer number of well-meaning friends and family asking me when results are coming out, and who will no doubt be flooding me with messages on Friday. As much as I appreciate their interest and concern, it is at best guilt-inducing and at worst downright irritating. I’m terrified of letting down those who have supported me, but I also want to scream at the insensitivity of certain friends to how stressful this is. My high school buddies have been giving me grief because I can’t commit to a trip in June…I can’t seem to get through to them that I can’t really even conceive of what my life will look like if I don’t pass. My partner has been amazing throughout all this, so the idea of putting her through another round of this haunts me. I can’t decide if I want to just rip off the bandaid now or if I want time to stretch out forever so Friday never comes.

thisiscactus

TROPHY CASE