Biggest Challenges Faced by an Associate at Morrison and Foerster LLP
Michael's biggest challenge transitioning from law school to Morrison & Foerster LLP was the steep learning curve, describing it as "like learning a second language," requiring a willingness to start from "the ground level." The demanding time commitment inherent in big law, particularly the unpredictable nature of client needs, also presented a significant ongoing challenge requiring strong time management skills.
Overcoming Challenges, Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges, Time Management, Stress Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Santos
Associate
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Santa Clara University
Georgetown University - JD
Business Management & Admin
Law
Legal
Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Learning the industry is like learning a new language, requiring humility and a willingness to learn from the ground up.
2. The demanding time commitment of big law requires learning to manage time and deal flow effectively.
3. Balancing client needs with personal time management is an ongoing challenge that improves with experience.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
The biggest challenge going into corporate law from law school, without much of a background in the legal industry, was like learning a second language. Everything was so new.
You almost have to be humble enough to realize you're not going to know things. It doesn't matter that you went to a good law school. You have to be willing to start from the ground level and learn from your mistakes. That was the biggest challenge as a junior associate.
Something that never really leaves, but you get better at as you get older, is the time demands of working in big law. Everyone hears the horror stories about billable hours.
It's definitely a challenge because you don't necessarily know how long something will take. You learn that as you go. You're also in a service industry where, if a client says they need something, it doesn't matter if it's a weekend or a Friday night. You have to learn how to manage your time and your deal flow. That was a big challenge early on.