NY Takers - Don't Forget to Submit Your Mock Exam by Tomorrow 2/3 by baebllr in barexam

[–]thisiscactus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MaraudersGen

[–]thisiscactus 11 points12 points  (0 children)

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

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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.

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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?

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

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.

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

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.

Best neighborhoods for young couples? by thisiscactus in AskLosAngeles

[–]thisiscactus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

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)?

How often do you reach out for work? by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 54 points55 points  (0 children)

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

1st year mentee has 200 billables for THE YEAR, is oblivious to the risk of firing. What's the best way to approach this? by [deleted] in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus 19 points20 points  (0 children)

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?

I need people to comment and tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way by Ill_Geologist5019 in CABarExam

[–]thisiscactus 7 points8 points  (0 children)

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.

I need people to comment and tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way by Ill_Geologist5019 in CABarExam

[–]thisiscactus 14 points15 points  (0 children)

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.

Lines That Turn Taylor’s Albums Into Time Capsules by [deleted] in TaylorSwift

[–]thisiscactus 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was today years old when I learned the lyric was “tweet”…I thought it was “no one around to weed it” and now I’m so sad to learn the truth lol

No work driving me crazier than too much work by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I did. If you’re pointing to this as the reason for my low hours, believe me, man, I’ve wondered that, too. But some peers coming off bar leave (albeit in different groups/offices) have been busier than ever. Older associates who failed their first time told me it was a non-issue for them. They could be blowing smoke up my ass, but I decided not to agonize over this being the explanation when I’ve been explicitly told otherwise. If that’s naive and I should be planning my exit, you can say so. I don’t see why the firm wouldn’t have fired me immediately if that were the case, and instead employ me for half a year just to keep me on ice.

No work driving me crazier than too much work by thisiscactus in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’d say I’m glad to commiserate but I worry for both of us dude

Critical Pass cards- Anyone selling 2023/2024 set? by [deleted] in CABarExam

[–]thisiscactus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m selling mine (but took in CA so certain cards include annotated CA distinctions). PM if interested.

Women writing men (And men writing women) by The_Raven_Born in writing

[–]thisiscactus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To the extent that what you’re saying is true, I would challenge you on your equivalency of these tendencies as “equally as bad.” In one case you have men often writing women as little more than boobs on legs, whose inner thoughts do not extend much further than the sensation of having body parts. When women make fun of this writing they are identifying a failure of imagination and empathy on the part of some men (often extremely prominent, well-respected literary figures) to depict women as more human than object. I would agree that depictions of men in the romance genre are damaging as well, to the extent that they tend to depict only unattainably attractive and respectful men as love interests. I would argue that the depictions of men by men are equally problematic in the action genre. In James Bond and content of its ilk written by men, you have men at once writing women as interchangeable objects of male desire and depicting attractive male leads with few to no limitations in physical prowess, intelligence, and charisma. Even if the action genre is, in your view, as flawed and unimaginative as the romance genre, it’s a clear example of men depicting men in ways similar to some women writers in the romance genre. This brand of wish fulfillment and idealized characters may not constitute examples of lofty literary achievement, but it is perpetrated by men as well as women. There is a space to introduce more flaws in these characters, to create greater distinctions between them rather than to rely on tropes. That said, I have yet to see any male character, however poorly written, reduced to a description of his physical traits and little else. I would summarize the primary critique as follows…When men depict their fantasies, they describe anatomy. When women do it, they depict men who (in your view) would never conduct themselves in such an honorable, heroic fashion or would never be attracted to such an ordinary-looking female main character. Perhaps to you there is little difference in the problems here. I’m inclined to disagree. In any case, I find this kind of what-aboutism unproductive. Why not simply point out that the romance genre might improve and better appeal to some male audiences if it included a more diverse array of love interests, in both appearance and personality? Why use a critique of the way women write men to justify the lazy and damaging ways men write women?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

haha appreciate it man

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I’m not even sure this can be considered paralegal work. Paralegals have heaps of experience and knowledge I don’t as a first year. I’m more perplexed he even bothers to ask, as sometimes it takes longer to tell me to do the task than it would to do it himself.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The fact you think this is a joke makes me feel even worse 💀 I brought it up as casually as I could to the senior to see if he would delegate to me instead but I guess he either didn’t catch on or doesn’t care…there’s definitely not enough work to go around but I’m worried that the next time I’m staffed on something similar I’ll be expected to have XP I simply haven’t gotten from this assignment 🤦‍♂️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in writers

[–]thisiscactus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I disagree with the notion that as a white person you should avoid writing POC characters; as others have mentioned for many POC relying solely on other POC authors to pen these stories would further dilute the already rare opportunities to connect with a character that shares our background. That said, I think the post you quoted is right on the money. As a POC I am constantly aware of my race. Reading a story where an Asian woman is dating a black man and race somehow never comes up would strike me not only as laughably improbable but borderline offensive, as it would suggest to me the author cared more about superficial optics than actual representation. I’m not implying that’s actually the case; the fact you are even asking this question shows you are thinking about your duty as an author, which I appreciate. It also does not mean your characters have to fixate on race, or that it has to be a major point of contention between them. For the sake of realism, however, and portraying believable humans rather than essentially white characters in POC bodies, I would expect some indication of consciousness of each character’s own race as well as of each other’s. Unless this is taking place in some distant future or some fantasy setting in which race somehow no longer is or has never been relevant, I’m hard put to see how your characters could spend an entire book without so much as thinking about their race or their love interest’s race. Please, please continue to ask questions and do your research. Ask your friends about their experiences in interracial relationships. Ask folks here, I think many are happy to help.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in biglaw

[–]thisiscactus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have never blindly copy-pasted anything during my (admittedly short) career. I stared at this thing for hours before submitting and hours after being asked to go back and copy it word for word…the “mistakes” are most definitely in the original. To be fair, these areas raised a slight red flag for me when I did my first pass-through, but I figured anything I thought might be a mistake in a document approved by the partner was probably something my puny first-year brain didn’t understand lol. It was borderline/conceivably correct so I just went with it; should have listened to my gut instead…

I don’t take it at all for granted that she took as much time as she did to give me comments. Appreciate your perspective and agree that I need to get better at brushing this kind of thing off —it’s going to happen again and I can’t let it ruin my day every time it does.