- Feb 17, 2018
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I just read this online from an trainee/associate who wrote about their experience at Weil: "Partners appear to have almost a sadistic desire to make associates' life as miserable as possible. An email with a huge and boring assignment sent on Friday night is not an exception, it is the rule. Frankly, if you don't get one, make sure to refresh your browser, it is definitely in your mailbox already waiting for you. Weekends? What weekends? Weekends are just the days when you can do document review from the comfort of your own couch instead of super bad office chairs. Interesting work? Fascinating cases? What a joke. For the first two years, you will be doing doc review day in and day out with no end in sight. Culture? Culture is toxic. People pride themselves on having no life, no hobbies, no joy, and no sleep. Half the office is taking Adderal or Zanax, another half takes both. It is hard to judge them, you do what you got to do to survive. Expected work availability - 24/7. Don't you dare take a nap! "This is Weil, not some job in the Midwest” - might be an actual quote from a partner. You billed less than 50 hours last week? You are so lazy, here is another doc review project, make sure you keeping your numbers up. Oh, you billed more than 50 last week. LAZY! If you below 70, you still have time. Feedback? Typically none, but sometimes you will get screamed at for making the smallest mistake. Diversity? Haha. That's a great one. For Pride Month, they changed a logo to a rainbow. That’s enough, right? Right? Mentoring? What mentoring? I got a lunch with my mentor once, six other people were also present. Discussion evolved around TV shows that aired before I was born."
What are peoples thoughts on this @Jaysen ?
I wasn't at Weil that long, so I can't say I'm best able to give you an account of what the full training contract is like, but based on my experiences:
- Hours really depend on which department you're in and how busy it is. Some departments will require trainees to work very long hours and weekends at times, while others you could be out by 6/7.
- You won't just be doing doc review for two years and it's not a rule that'll you'll get assignments on a Friday - that's just false.
- Your experiences are very much influenced by what your supervisors are like.
- People work hard but they don't pride themselves in having no life.
It's also always worth exploring for yourself because, for many, the huge benefits that come with this kind of career > the costs. Plus it's also just so subjective and variable.