159: The Secret Life of Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about the secret life of large law firms. If you think you want to work in a large law firm someday, don’t miss this episode as we dive into the unique culture of BigLaw.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The unique work culture of large law firms and the myriad personalities the of people who work there (aka, why BigLaw is so weird)
• Things not to do, if you don't want to look like a jerk
• How to really get on the partnership track – if that’s what you want – and the reality of the pyramid structure at large law firms
• The truth about partnership at large firms – it’s not the golden ticket it once was
• Dress codes – are all firms the same and does it really matter what you wear?
• Tips for fleshing out the unspoken expectations and rules that often exist in BigLaw around billable hours, travel time and expenses, and office face time
• What unlimited vacation REALLY means

RESOURCES:

• Using Reply-All to Show Your BigLaw Firm You're a Jerk (https://abovethelaw.com/2018/05/read-the-nasty-mass-email-sent-at-a-biglaw-firm-over-a-departing-associate/)
• CareerDicta (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/careerdicta/)
• Podcast Episode 142: Owning Your Career (w/Whittney Beard) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-142-owning-your-career-w-whittney-beard/)
• Podcast Episode 135: Leaving the Law (wCasey Berman) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-135-leaving-law-casey-berman/)
• Fashionably Lawyered: How to Dress the Part as a New Attorney (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/fashionably-lawyered-how-to-dress-the-part-as-a-new-attorney/)

Episode Transcript: Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LST-Ep-159-Secret-Life-of-Law-Firms-w-Sadie.pdf)

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Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee