Social Events
Summer associates are inundated by invitations to lunches,
dinners, in-firm programs, and social activities outside the firm. Particularly
in a summer when the economic outlook is uncertain, summer associates must act with care and discretion at firm
sponsored social events. Almost invariably misconduct involved excessive late
night drinking. Someone once said “nothing good happens after midnight.” They
were right.
First, understand that the primary purpose of
the events is a good faith effort by the firm to entertain summer associates
and convince you to join the firm following graduation. It is not a secret
effort to see how you behave in a social setting, whether you can order from a
menu written in a foreign language, or how much beer you can consume at a Cubs
game.
Second, how you behave at social events will be
observed (and remembered). So a summer associate is always wise to behave with
caution as if you were in the middle of a 12 week interview (because you are).
It should go without saying that drinking to excess, being too loquacious and
entertaining, or behaving in any way that becomes memorable is an obvious
no-no.
Third, it is up to you to strike a balance
during the summer. Your work comes first. Period. You do not want to be known
as either the party animal or dullard of the summer program. You should be able
to exercise some adult judgment about the appropriate balance.
Fourth, I have never seen a ‘no offer decision’
made because someone worked too hard, or was a bit less socially active than
others in a summer program. But I do recall many situations where someone’s
conduct at social events was consistent with a generally poor performance
during the summer and it became one of many ingredients in a no-offer decision.
Fifth, if you are invited to an event, R.S.V.P.
promptly and don’t change your mind at the last minute or simply no-show.
Whether it’s an event at a partner’s home, a program being held to showcase a
department, or a group heading to a baseball game, don’t be one of those
annoying summer associates who is a no-show. Don’t of course do any of the
following (actual behavior of summer associates in recent years - names omitted
to protect the guilty)
• RSVP and no show;
• Don’t RSVP and show
up anyway;
• Change the name of
your guest three times (because you and Fred are having
“relationship issues”);
• Bring your “crew”
with you unannounced ...because “that’s how you roll”;
• Decide you like
another partner’s party better and go there unannounced instead;
• Getbombed beyond
comprehension and make a pass at a partner’s spouse;
• Arrive intoxicated
and snort coke in the bathroom of a partner’s home;
• Get in a fight with
your S.O. on the patio of a private dining room for a firm event; or my
personal favorite
• Send a long note to
the head of administration complaining about the food at the senior
partner’s home, your
seating assignment, and the fact that her golden retrievers jumped on you.