A survival manual for law asscociates

Research shows that in many law firms, associates are the most vulnerable to lay-offs. More often than not, their production capacity is already well-known by the partners and the decision to retain or not is therefore not hard to make as is with pupils. They are also expected to justify their salary contributing to the firm's bottom line.

What does it take to survive when your next law-firm's layoff? What is an associate (or even a pupil) to do to ensure that s/he does not fail on performance in estimation of the firm decision makers? Here are dos and don'ts that I deem the essence of associate life.

Cater to the boss: Partners (and senior associates) can be eccentric, but it's the associate's job to adapt. Assimilate the habits, likes and dislike and even particularities of the people with whom you're going to be working. Such things as simple as how they like [work] presented, the font of legal briefs, whether they like stuff oral or writing, and what detail they would in your work are a must-know. Also get familiar with your bosses work schedules; know whether you're working with people who start early or stay late. For instance, my boss is an early riser and so we have to make it to office before 7 am.

Stick your neck out: In today's practice, being pro-active is not just a matter you have to lie about during interviews. It is a plus if you are the kind of lawyer who will take initiative on matters that mean business for the law firm. Associates who tend to launge in their office and wait for the office memo or buzzer to tell them what next should mind their skin. In contrast, the future belongs to those who go out and try to be more proactive in the types of assignments they're getting. For some of us, that's a natural; for others, that means getting out of your comfort zone. Here is the point, with so many things going on in a law firm, stick your neck out and look for experiences that you might feel you don't have any relevant background in. Ultimately, people are going to specialize. But early on, get whatever experience you can.

Whether you want to make partner or not, feign you do! Today's associates tend to focus on what they're doing — today – and where that's leading them. Many associates no longer hold to the idea of working hard for the firm to make partner. If that was so, the motto would be: 'Do whatever the firm requires in order to become a partner. Associates don't necessarily join firms anymore with the goal of becoming partner. This owes to the fact that the expectation of today's generation of lawyers is that they are going to hold many jobs in their lifetime. There is no problem with that notion until an associate starts taking the current job casually as a result. It is important to know that law firms want associates who are looking long term. Long term does not necessarily have to be lifetime, It could be five years or even less. But importantly, the associate's enthusiasm in what the firm does must be seen by the law firm management as that of someone in the firm for the long haul. Do it like you want to make partner tomorrow!

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