Job Responsibilities
Litigation associate. Research and writing motions, briefs, and
memoranda. Presenting oral arguments. Conducting depositions.
Working with clients to determine facts of a case and the clients
needs and desires with respect to the litigation. Review and
analysis of documents and deposition testimony received during
discovery. Time spent on specific tasks depends on the case.
Generally, about 90% of my time involves research and writing for
various documents to be filed with the court.
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Job Requirements
Job required a law degree from a top 50 law school and grades in
the upper 20% of your class. Law review or law journal experience
was required. Good writing skills and oral communication skills.
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Uppers
Lots of different cases with different legal issues makes for a good variety of
challenges. The opportunity to think through a problem and come up with creative
solutions. The people I work with are all very dedicated and very good at their
jobs. The opportunity to take on high levels of responsibility early in your
career. Pay is excellent. Opportunity to work on big cases that have a social
impact.
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Downers
Long hours. The job demands perfection and that often requires
spending a lot of time on a project to the point that the project
is no longer interesting. Deadline pressure can sometimes be
crushing. Being on call nearly all the time and being a slave to
clients and opposing counsel in some instances makes taking time
off difficult
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Lifestyle
Generally work a 50 to 60 hour week, but there are times when 80-hour work weeks
are necessary. There is some travel but not much. Company has some social
events but not many. Dress is generally jacket and tie. Minimal diversity in my
company, but as a general matter the field is fairly diverse at least at my level.
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Compensation
Base salary is between $100,000 and $150,000 with bonus potential
of up to $30,000
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Advice to Jobseekers
Go to the best law school you can get into, work as hard as you
can for the best grades you can get, and then be prepared to work
just as hard, if not harder, once school is over. Decide up front
that you are willing to sacrifice your personal life for your
career. Grow a thick skin. Judges and senior lawyers can be very
critical and public humiliation is not uncommon.
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