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.