Job Title: Associate
Location: New York, NY
Submitted on: 22-Oct-04
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Job Title |
Workplace
Survey |
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Work at Sidley can be a mixed bag. On the one hand, I have been given
some very substantive assignments very early on in my career as an
associate. Within my first year at the firm (however, I am technically
a second year as I came in from a clerkship), I have taken and defended
depositions, had extensive direct contact with clients, and even
appeared in court on my own to enforce a subpoena. However, the hours
within the litigation department in New York are horrible. While that
is to be somewhat suspected at most law firms of this size, I (and most
of my colleagues) feel that the hours are currently way beyond the norm.
The working environment is generally very friendly. There is much less
of a barrier between associates and partners than apparently exists at
other firms and this makes for a much more collegial working
environment. However, the department seems to be very slow in reacting
to associate complaints or concerns. During this year it has been made
very apparent to the partners that we believe the litigation department
is tremendously understaffed. Despite repeated promises to bring in
laterals, the firm is apparently only accepting lateral candidates who
actually have higher grade point averages than its current associates.
Many of us here find this perplexing. First, if we weren't good enough
to come to the firm now, what does that mean for our future? Second, if
the firm is really trying to lessen the work load, it seems hard to
fathom why they are severely limiting their candidate base.
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