With regard to the “control” issues that have been discussed, and specifically to carry Adam Gold's comments in a little different direction, my viewpoint will probably sound antagonistic and belittling, but I feel compelled to put it out there: Does anyone really think that any lawyer in a supervisory capacity should feel comfortable giving a 20-something who is fresh out of law school and who most likely has no or very little serious job experience any measure of control that could possibly jeopardize long-built and well-established client relations or the firm’s reputation generally? Let’s go one step further: new associates, on top of being very young and inexperienced generally, begin working in these “V50” firms where they, as a general matter, don’t have the specific technical knowledge base for their area of specialization, or knowledge of the “community” that they are serving, to even begin to know what might be an effective legal position when approaching a multi-dimensional problem that can intersect with other practice areas. Associates at firms of any size start as apprentices, with most of the assumptions that go into an apprenticeship: taking orders, learning, shadowing, and gradually working your way over many years toward partnership consideration. Then, if you pass that mark, you usually get all the control you want, and that in itself can be a draining, multi-dimensional commitment. If you want more control than this, then you may want to hang your own shingle, with all the speculation that comes with that: many years of trying to get your name out to build your own clientele while in the shadow of the local firms, while at the same time paying the rent, overhead, and staff. Good luck on that one. Consider a six-figure salary a true blessing, even if it comes with what seems like no control. The longer you work, the more control you presumably will earn via building up your own reputation among your colleagues. All this by way of saying, keep in mind that you, as well as anyone else in any profession, have to start somewhere.

If I've annoyed anyone, then "have at me;" but also keep in mind that I'm not necessarily distinguishing myself from 20-somethings -- I'm comfortable with the role of "new, green associate" as it applies to myself, too.

-- BarbPitman - 27 Mar 2008