Star Gazer Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 I'm at the office - have been all weekend - and I'm annoyed beyond all belief. We have a new associate here. Granted, he was only admitted to practice in December, but I feel as though he's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay behind in the bell-curve of experience/understanding. It's one thing to not understand procedure or formatting (although he still should because there are practice guides and exemplars all over the place), but the thing is he can't even make a reasonable/decent argument...his "lawyering skills" are nill. Lately, work has been pulled from him and planted on my desk with the expectation that I "fix" his sh*tty work ASAP. Instead of doing the research himself, he wastes my time by asking me or my secretary (and it takes him 5 minutes to even spit out the damn question) for the answer (not just guidance/direction, but the ANSWER), or copies-and-pastes from wholly irrelevant "exemplars" we have on our firm server into his own projects/motions/etc. (which either I or the partner assigned to the file have to re-write). He's causing MORE work because we have to scrap and re-write most of his work. I'm billing 180% of my normal hours and giving up my social life because of this dude...and it's pissing me off. To make matters worse, he hasn't been in all weekend. I've been here all day today, and half of yesterday. He seems to think being an attorney is 9-to-5, not "whatever and whenever it takes to get the job done." I don't want to come across as not being a team player or easily irritated, but I really would like to address this with my bosses (the partners). To speak, or to keep quiet, that is the question... Thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Where do you stand on the food chain, in comparison to him? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Star Gazer Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 I am the most-senior associate here at the firm, right below the partners. He is the most-junior. However, I have only been at this firm for a year.... Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Are you bringing his work back to him with a some good suggestions about how to better his work but allowing him to correct it? Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 I don't want to come across as not being a team player or easily irritated, but I really would like to address this with my bosses (the partners). To speak, or to keep quiet, that is the question... Thoughts? yes you should bring the issue(s) up quickly assuming his uncle doesn't own the firm. the longer you remain quiet the harder it will be to fix the situation. Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 yes you should bring the issue(s) up quickly assuming his uncle doesn't own the firm. the longer you remain quiet the harder it will be to fix the situation. This only works to your advantage if you also present them with a viable solution of the actions you've taken to teach and improve the employee. Although law firms rarely suffer fools, if provided with the proper tools, such as some initial guidance, some people turn into exemplary employees. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Star Gazer Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 This only works to your advantage if you also present them with a viable solution of the actions you've taken to teach and improve the employee. Although law firms rarely suffer fools, if provided with the proper tools, such as some initial guidance, some people turn into exemplary employees. Although I have offered many, many suggestions, simply offering advice re: how to improve his work is not going to help. However, most importantly, I do not have the time to teach him how to be an attorney by even offering what advice I do provide. Simply put, it's HIS responsibility to "figure sh*t out," not mine. Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Although I have offered many, many suggestions, simply offering advice re: how to improve his work is not going to help. However, most importantly, I do not have the time to teach him how to be an attorney by even offering what advice I do provide. Simply put, it's HIS responsibility to "figure sh*t out," not mine. Then you're caught in the trap of upward delegation. You, in essence, work for him... Link to post Share on other sites
Zona76 Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Sounds to me you need to point some of these issues to those above you. Let them know his errors and lack of learning ability is wasting the profit of the business. Suggest someone be appointed to keep an eye on what he does; what he actually completes himself and then passes off on others. Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 The reason this is happening to you is because you're a woman, and you're more able to multi-task. It's a fact of your sex/gender, and something you can't easily escape. But don't be surprised if they are continually trying to load you up like a pack animal. A woman will always be able to do more work than a man, as long as it's non-technical work. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Star Gazer Posted April 17, 2007 Author Share Posted April 17, 2007 The reason this is happening to you is because you're a woman, and you're more able to multi-task. It's a fact of your sex/gender, and something you can't easily escape. But don't be surprised if they are continually trying to load you up like a pack animal. A woman will always be able to do more work than a man, as long as it's non-technical work. Ummmmm, nooooooo, I don't think that's true. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted April 18, 2007 Share Posted April 18, 2007 You are right, but off on this part...as long as it's non-technical work. Link to post Share on other sites
stillafool Posted April 19, 2007 Share Posted April 19, 2007 I think that is so unfair. You are right it is not your job to teach him to be an attorney - didn't he go to law school? I would definitely talk to the partners about it and tell them you don't mind "correcting his mistakes" but due to your own workload you don't have time. Ask them if they have any suggestions. It's my experience the more sh*t you take the more you will be given. Link to post Share on other sites
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