Blown
Deadlines & Mismanaged Assignments
By far the most frequent problem encountered by summer
associates is the challenge presented by handling multiple assignments or
meeting tough deadlines. Lawyers live in a world of deadlines — depositions
that must be taken, briefs must be filed, statutes of limitation will run,
deals must be closed, and client presentations may be made. Some deadlines
change unexpectedly. Others are immutable. Before tackling any assignment you
must understand the relevant deadlines.
Apocryphal stories
abound concerning lawyers who invent artificial deadlines to torment summer
associates. Those stories are, by and large, baseless. The assigning partner
is, in most cases, juggling several deals, cases, or client matters. Their work
for Clients A, B, and C, may well impact their availability to review your work
on matters for Client D.
They do not need to
explain that to you and they probably will not. You may not be able to discern
why a deadline is imposed. Indeed, it may seem arbitrary or irrational. For
example you may be told to draft an answer for a complaint “by Friday” even
though the deadline for filing the answer is not for three weeks. The assigning
partner is not trying to take your brain for a test drive. Rather they may need
to review the draft, furnish it to co-counsel, sent it to the client and juggle
all of that around depositions they are taking across the country during the
week when the answer is due.
Yes, some lawyers are
terribly disorganized and some put their work first and your work last.
(Clients can be disorganized and demanding as well - or just opportunistic
about doing a deal or starting a law suit - one reason you are paid so much is
because you are a professional who can be deployed at any time). Some will wait
until the last minute before giving you comments. That’s the way of the world
and you must learn to deal with it. You will learn in practice that clients,
judges, adversaries and others can turn your calendar topsy turvy without
warning.
The successful lawyer
will learn early in her or his career to deal with interruptions, emergencies,
and changing priorities. Once you settle in as a practicing lawyer and develop
close personal relationships with partners and clients this fog will lift and
it will be easier to handle.
All businesses deal
with unexpected demands - because unexpected demands are part of client service
and an inherent feature of profitability. ❏That’s why a top restaurant can managed unexpected reservations
from leading customers. ❏ It’s why a top
retailer knows their inventory and may hold items aside for their best
customers. ❏ It’s why a Broadway show knows how many
special seats to set aside for last minute needs. ❏ Clients expect their lawyers to be
available at a moment’s notice. It’s part of the bargain when you join the
profession. At some level you should view the unexpected demand as a
compliment: your services are needed - and that’s tremendous news.
Assigning lawyers may
inadvertently underestimate the time it takes to research an issue and prepare
a memorandum, What they estimate as a “5-10 hour” project may take much longer.
They may have forgotten that what comes easily and automatically to them is a
first-time exercise for you. Partners often do not recall the steepness of the
experience curve. It is just part of the experience. As you get into an
assignment, if you foresee that the deadline is going to be a problem — call
your advisor, the assigning attorney or assignment coordinator immediately.
Work which is late, or which irritates or disrupts a partner often results in a
senior partner marching down the office to visit the head of the summer program
to say:
Jennifer Albright just doesn’t get it. Where are you
getting these students? ❏
You know, back when I was hiring partner, we didn’t have students like this.
Young lawyers were different. I don’t know why we even interview at her law
school. ❏ Why do we have to pay these kids so
much? Whenever I want a summer associate I find out they’re at some four hour
lunch that I’m paying for.
You do not want to hear the rest of this monologue. This
Metamucil Moment for the hiring partner is not good for your prospects.
A summer associate
may discover half way into a project that it will take longer than projected.
They then receive another assignment from another attorney. Then some
administrative snafu complicates matters. What’s the way out of this thicket?
Be a professional who always knows your own schedule. Plan ahead. As far as
possible.
If it requires you to ❏ burn the midnight oil ❏ join the sunrise over the desk club on
Saturday morning❏ or miss a
baseball game just do it. It is not a matter of hysteria. It is not an effort
to join the Seals or Rangers. It is about professional commitment. The partners
for whom you work make similar sacrifices. If this doesn’t match with your
energy and commitment, get out now. But do not assume that there is any
business or profession where long hours are not essential to master your craft
and serve your customers.