ABC has a new law show that premiered last Thursday called ‘The Deep End.” Set in Los Angeles, the show tracks a group of young, twenty-somethings who would do better having modeling careers than acting out the parts of associates at a law firm. The title, “The Deep End,” apparently comes from the notion that first year associates are pushed into the deep end right away: we see these first years going to court, arguing motions, appearing at settlement conferences, and holding client meetings with no partner supervision. All of this is represented symbolically when the lead character, Dylan, is pushed into a swimming pool wearing a full suit.
There’s plenty of opinions about the show, so I’ll reserve my own judgment, but if you’re interested in what your fellow associates are saying about it, there’s a good article at the Texas Lawyer: http://www.law.com/jsp/tx/PubArticleTX.jsp?id=1202439476879&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1
The theme for this week’s posts is responsibility. As a first year, do you really want it?
One camp includes those associates who clamor for early responsibility. They are itching to get to court, to meet clients, to take their first deposition, to argue with opposing counsel.
The other camp includes associates who are petrified with the idea of being pushed into the deep end. These associates want to ramp up slowly, starting with the familiar territories of legal research and memo writing. They want to observe partners in action to see how it’s done before they venture into dark waters.
Is there a right or wrong? Are associates in the first camp “go-getters” on the fast track to partnership? Or are they risk-taking idiots setting themselves up for an early fall? Are associates in the second camp smart to first figure things out in order to build a pristine reputation? Or will they be viewed as work horses only to be used for document review and other bottom-feeder projects?
What’s your strategy? Ready to jump off the deep end?
