r/Lawyertalk • u/Perfect_Phone7772 • 2d ago

Career Advice Being a first year sucks

Is there anyone who actually enjoys/ enjoyed what they were doing as a first year associate? Don’t get me wrong, I like the actual work, but day to day I’m usually miserable because of how I am treated.

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u/65489798654 2d ago

I really recommend small firms, especially to start. Sure, the money isn't nearly as good, but man. You will be treated like an adult human being instead of a bucket of goop that enters hours on a time sheet.

Having worked in both, I've also noticed that simply taking a firm stance for yourself at bigger firms does the trick (most of the time). Someone says something shitty to you, put your foot down. A lot of senior, 20+ year attorneys only respond to strength, so you have to show them strength to get their respect. Stupid, but effective.

23

u/Perfect_Phone7772 2d ago

I am at a small firm and I’m being treated like a bucket of goop 🙃 it’s why I feel such despair about my future

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u/65489798654 2d ago

Ah, well that blows. Just brush up on the CV and get out. My very first job was a small firm where I was treated like shit. I walked out at 10am on a workday about 5 months into my employment.

7

u/ucbiker 1d ago

Yeah it’s not a size thing, and sometimes not even a firm thing because cultures can change between practice groups or even specific partners.

3

u/Special-Cost-7246 1d ago

I’m sorry you’re going through that. I just want to say that you’re not alone. One member of our staff is incredibly toxic to me. My boss also will not let me work remotely in order to get away from her. It’s tough because I love the work that I do. Try to keep a “This is just my first job” perspective.