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Tips on quitting biglaw.
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:33 PM Author: Titillating garrison Made the decision that I am done. I work in a smaller satellite office that is absolutely buried. Firm is likely going to be pissed I am leaving as a second year and I literally don't think there is adequate firm personnel to assume my work.
Any tips on how to handle from people who have done it? |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:36 PM Author: French feces library Do you have a place to go? Do not tell any fucking person until 2 weeks to go. Then you have to rip off the bandaid that Friday you do and make yourself scarce in last 2 weeks. You must also fucking wait until post-Dec. 31 bonus to tell anyone. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:41 PM Author: Titillating garrison Not eligible for bonuses as I will not make hours. Have something lined up and am just looking to leave as gracefully as possible. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310579) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:43 PM Author: French feces library If you're going to a competitor, it won't be graceful. You have to rip the bandaid off. You tell people exactly 2 weeks out. Maybe do it where Thanksgiving is over the 2-week stretch. You are replaceable, so don't think too highly of yourself. But people will still be pissed. All you can say is "loved time here etc. but I just have this opportunity at X that I can't pass up for Y." (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310589) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:45 PM Author: Titillating garrison I am leaving law altogether but you Are right I just gotta live with that people will be pissed and exit gracefully. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310597) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:59 PM Author: Racy fiercely-loyal lay karate leaving to do what? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310667) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:08 PM Author: vivacious violent newt On the other hand, if you're going in-house everyone will say you were the best thing since sliced bread since they want you to be a cheerleader for the firm. I hated my time with my firm enough that it was never going to happen, but smile and nod anyway. I guess that's being graceful. Otherwise, you can tell them they're assholes and people will avoid you as you leave. Your choice because either way you'll be gone and are unlikely to ever see these people again. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310718) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:59 PM Author: Exhilarant chapel quadroon how can you be buried and not making hours (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310668) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:03 PM Author: Racy fiercely-loyal lay karate yeah, sounds like they probably won't miss him (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310686) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:14 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Worse, it sounds like he would have been fired sooner or later anyway. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310738) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:16 PM Author: diverse windowlicker If he is actually close to copping sev, he should try to hang on until he gets dat sev. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310744) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:17 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Risky business. I'd rather leave and go straight to a safe job rather than try to line up a perfect exit where I get severance and a new job so I can get paid twice for a few months. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310749) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:19 PM Author: diverse windowlicker You don't get paid twice. He says he has something lined up. Might as well cop the 50k 3 month paid vacation if he can. Or am I missing something? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310760) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:28 PM Author: vivacious violent newt So protip for you: "lined up" isn't bullet proof. Once you start you're in. Before that, you have an offer. Offers can and do get retracted. In fact, if companies or firms have any financial difficulties the FIRST thing they do is revoke offers to those that haven't started.
Also, you can get paid twice if you have severance rather than notice. Severance means they call you on Friday saying grab your shit and get out, we'll mail you a check for 2 or 3 months, have a nice life. Notice means they tell you that you have 2 or 3 months while you still work there. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:30 PM Author: diverse windowlicker Unless somebody is getting straight-up fired for cause, biglaw severance seems to almost always take the form of notice. There isn't no risk, but what little risk you describe is worth taking for a 50k 3-month paid vacation. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310804) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:33 PM Author: multi-colored kink-friendly athletic conference what would be sufficient cause? is it more like pissing off clients or embezzling? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310814) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:43 PM Author: diverse windowlicker Yeah basically if you get fired for a fuckup as opposed to getting pushed out for low hours. I don't know about embezzling, I've never heard of something like that happening. Not sure they would even pay severance in that case. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310865) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:35 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Counter-example: Latham.
"There isn't no risk, but what little risk you describe is worth taking for a 50k 3-month paid vacation."
There is risk, and it isn't really extra money if it is notice. You would be getting paid in your new job anyway. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:42 PM Author: diverse windowlicker 2009 Latham was an anomaly. They also paid 6 months.
You don't end up with extra money if you would have been going to another market-paying job. But 3 months paid vacation is pretty priceless. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:43 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Honestly, when I went in-house I didn't do this (took very little time off) and I have no regrets. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310863) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:44 PM Author: diverse windowlicker Well, it's gonna line up right. It's not like firms will just randomly give you 50k 3-month paid vacation. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310871) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:45 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Right, which is why when I got something awesome I didn't fuck around. It would take an incredible stroke of luck for things to line up right. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310875) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:48 PM Author: diverse windowlicker Not everybody goes in-house. If you are moving firms, going solo, or moving to a different industry, the prospects of copping 50k sev become much more attractive. In-house is kinda tricky since good offers are hard to come by and hard to time. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310891) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:06 PM Author: cerebral startling gaming laptop plaza "office is buried, literally no one else to handle my work"
"will not make hours"
does not compute |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:18 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Also this person is really worried about upsetting the partners who would have fired his ass in the near future anyway, which is hilarious. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310753) |
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Date: June 15th, 2021 10:07 PM Author: Odious theatre police squad BIGLAW takes a while to fire people unless they're really fucking up. He probably could last another year with low hours then get the talk, then get 6 months to find a new job.
OP's situation is allover the place though. He knows everyone's buried and isn't doing any work but wants to leave gracefully. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:37 PM Author: multi-colored kink-friendly athletic conference http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oH5Qc2zTrs (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310556) |
Date: October 26th, 2013 3:37 PM Author: motley pistol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxdmw4tJJ1Y (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310558) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:44 PM Author: Amethyst Corner Dingle Berry Step 1: Line up a new job.
Step 2: Turn in resignation with 2 weeks notice.
Step 3: Profit. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:46 PM Author: Racy fiercely-loyal lay karate walk in and say you are quitting. Hopefully get a new job first. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310599) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:51 PM Author: Titillating garrison Did that, more looking for how to dispel the anger and frustration in the best way possible. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310628) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:53 PM Author: Racy fiercely-loyal lay karate Just be apologetic. Generally, though, you are probably overstating your importance. Any partner that has been around 15+ years has seen literally 50 people like you leave. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310643) |
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Date: September 15th, 2014 3:35 PM Author: Poppy alcoholic hospital new version We've turned over 50 associates in a 40 person office in 3 years. Lol at this profession. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#26333690) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:53 PM Author: Well-lubricated Half-breed If you are leaving law completely who fucking cares. Call em a buncha no good niggaz (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310645) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:57 PM Author: floppy site "Friends,
I was reading up on the industrial revolution. It turns out in 1835 laborers fought for an eight hour work day as a basic human right. This shocked me as I frequently see my colleagues here working 70-90 hours a week.
I figured our business was not profitable and we had to work this hard in order to keep the lights on. But I was even more shocked to learn that the partners here make on average $2 million every year - they essentially win the lottery every six months.
So finally I figured out that there must just not be enough workers. But I then learned there are millions of unemployed attorneys.
So I was left with the conclusion that the partners here are more evil than sweatshop owners in the 1800s. There is no excuse for their behavior other than greed. I'm off to work at a place that has regard for human life.
Best,
X" |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 3:59 PM Author: Racy fiercely-loyal lay karate wow. 180. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310665) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:05 PM Author: vivacious violent newt I would high 5 someone who actually sent that to everyone. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310696) |
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Date: September 15th, 2014 3:36 PM Author: Poppy alcoholic hospital new version Outside the office amirite? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#26333698) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:07 PM Author: cerebral startling gaming laptop plaza 180 (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310710) |
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Date: October 27th, 2013 11:59 PM Author: Bronze tanning salon (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24320079) |
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Date: September 15th, 2014 3:35 PM Author: Poppy alcoholic hospital new version 180 (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#26333695) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:02 PM Author: diverse windowlicker Unless you have extensive factual knowledge of ongoing matters that nobody else has, nobody will care. Nobody will probably care regardless. Associates are made to be churned and burned. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310684) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:06 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Yeah, partners keep saying how hard it is to find talent but that's honestly a fucking lie. Churn is built into the model. If not enough people quit they lay people off/fire in greater numbers. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310703) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:08 PM Author: floppy site And remember they do fire lay people off all the time.
Don't feel bad for the millionaire partners. Your firm laid of hundreds during ITE with no remorse and no need. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:09 PM Author: cerebral startling gaming laptop plaza "This is nothing personal."
- Todd |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:12 PM Author: vivacious violent newt And guess what? When business picked up none of them got invited back. They didn't try to set them up with clients, or offer them part time, or do anything other than occasionally try to say it was their fault. And all of this was done so partners could make $2.3 million/year instead of $2 million/year. These are absolutely horrible people and you owe them nothing. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310731) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:27 PM Author: cerebral startling gaming laptop plaza (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310790) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:09 PM Author: diverse windowlicker They don't need talent, they need people willing to grind massive hours pushing paper. They are perfectly willing to churn through associates until they find the few that will grind for years and years. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310725) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:13 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Yeah, but there's a certain amount of "talent" required to be sweating commas at hour 40 without sleep. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310734) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:17 PM Author: diverse windowlicker It's more like who has the ability to eat the most shit. I don't know that I would call that talent. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310748) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:08 PM Author: cerebral startling gaming laptop plaza don't give only two weeks. a lot of firms will let you coast much longer than that after you've told them you're quitting. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310714) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:13 PM Author: vivacious violent newt You mean if you haven't found something? Personally I gave EXACTLY 2 weeks because I wanted to gtfo and start my new position while giving myself at least some time off. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310736) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:26 PM Author: cerebral startling gaming laptop plaza whether you've found something or not. as soon as it gets out that you're leaving, you'll stop being given work and no one will put you on new matters. if you can let it be known 2 months in advance, you get to coast while wrapping outstanding matters up. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310788) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:15 PM Author: diverse windowlicker Well in an ideal world, you coast until you cop severance for 3 months. Then leave the last day of your severance period. It's hard to overstate the awesomeness of biglaw severance pay. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310742) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:19 PM Author: vivacious violent newt Do you mean notice rather than severance? You don't need to "leave" severance. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310759) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:20 PM Author: diverse windowlicker As far as I know, severance at a big firm almost always consists of 3 months notice during which you don't have to work. But they also stop paying you if you leave early. So you gotta ride out the severance period to get the 50k. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310765) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:31 PM Author: vivacious violent newt I know some who got 2 months notice, while Latham people were given 6 months straight severance. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310806) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:46 PM Author: diverse windowlicker You should make sure to investigate how your firm does it beforehand. If I had to guess, I would say the large majority do 3 months notice. But some give softer notice first. And I guess a few really cheap ones only give 2 months. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310880) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:29 PM Author: Walnut fat ankles As others have said, they won't be angry that you're leaving them in a lurch. You're a replaceable second-year. Most associates think they are much more important than they actually are. Attrition is built into the model, and you'r enot even making hours. Second-year is on the early side, but they've seen it a million times before.
If you work with a senior associate with whom you get along, tell him first to rip off the band-aid and practice getting it out. Maybe consider telling HR early on, too. Then move up to the partner(s) you work for, who likely will have heard through the grapevine at that point. I did this when I quit as a fourth-year, and it went incredibly smoothly. |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:37 PM Author: vivacious violent newt I knew someone at a firm pre-ITE that said that they had only a few associates in his class remaining by the middle of the 3rd year. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310837) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 4:36 PM Author: soggy laser beams lol stop being such a pussy. just tell them like a man at the last possible second and gtfo. they've seen it a million times before. leaving a big corporate firm (in any field) is easy as shit. its hard when its a small business though. But god, why are lawyers such pussies? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24310831) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 6:33 PM Author: Titillating garrison Well it is a small satellite office (20 or so people), so its not like I am an anonymous cog, but fair enough comment anyways. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24311452) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 5:24 PM Author: soggy laser beams (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24311093) |
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Date: October 26th, 2013 6:26 PM Author: Titillating garrison Interesting stuff, I think everyone is right that firm probably wont care nearly as much as I am thinking.
There are a lot of comments on not making hours and being slammed. I billed probably 900 hours until September rolled in. Since then, there have been a ton of deals and I have been billing (along with everyone else) at a 200-250/hr a month pace. This is how I will both be not making hours yet leaving when the place I am slammed. |
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Date: October 27th, 2013 7:35 PM Author: dashing codepig 900? How? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#24317511) |
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Date: August 12th, 2019 12:53 PM Author: Beta pearly gunner place of business (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#38675128) |
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Date: August 12th, 2019 12:57 PM Author: Sienna Famous Landscape Painting University MILK MILK MILK
Not sure about your midlaw gig, but in biglaw you can do jack shit and it'll take 3 months before they even give you a warning, 6 months til firing. Enjoy your life. |
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Date: July 21st, 2020 5:27 PM Author: Histrionic kitty cat juggernaut (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#40640992) |
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Date: June 15th, 2021 10:03 PM Author: Crystalline Theater Definitely go with a self-indulgent series of cartoon panels. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2397594&forum_id=2#42634256) |
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Date: June 15th, 2021 11:18 PM Author: medicated pit factory reset button Watch Fight Club on loop for 24 hours
really commit yourself to the role |
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