I will be joining a T1 firm. The practice area is not finalised yet but most likely Gen Corp. I want to know what should I keep in mind before starting? Is there anything I should read up, practice, basically anything? I have not worked in Gen Corp a lot and I'm pretty clueless about what kind of work I'll be expected to deliver.

I want to perform good. In spite of all the toxicity, long hours, etc. I really want to give my best shot at this. I am come from a lower middle class background and the money is very very important to me. I don't want to look or sound stupid when I go there. I am already very intimated by the kind of people you find at T1 firms.

Even non-work related tips would help. Anything I should read/learn/do to fit in well in the firm? Things that are appreciated/frowned upon. Please don't put trollish responses. I really need some valuable inputs. Sincere responses here will decide how I spend my days before joining. Will be grateful to the LI community 🙏

Also, Mods I feel a lot of kids are in the same boat currently. Could you please mark this as featured so that more people can benefit from this thread? Thanks a lot.

Have the willingness to learn and the right attitude towards work i.e. take ownership. Ask questions, even the stupid ones. As you (rightly) said, a lot of kids are in the same boat as you. Lack of knowledge can be excused, provided that you demonstrate that you can learn and get better.

No one will expect you to give a final product on the first day. However, eventually they will. In this phase you will be expected to commit certain mistakes. It will be expected that these mistakes will reduce with time and you give a final product which can be sent to the client with limited supervision. Deep dive on everything. Ask questions and be patient. Things will fall in inline eventually.

You won’t be expected to deliver incredible quality from the start and there will be plenty of opportunity to learn on the job. Do the basics right - read, interpret and research properly. Make sure you’re updated as far as the law is concerned. The minimum you should do is to work hard, be diligent, be proactive, show curiosity and hunger, be a good team player and be professional. These qualities will keep you in good stead for a long time.

Being an A0 is one the most boring job profiles to have. Nobody expects you to draft/negotiate or even get the tone of a memo right-

So in that sense-

1. Proof things really well. Don't be lazy- use softwares such as litera.

2. Research thorough

3. Look up precedents in the firm's KM database- use them.

4. Take notes vigorous- whether a senior asks for it doesn't, send call notes to seniors after every call.

Do these okay and progress to the next stage. Remember- it gets significantly better once you've won the co fidence of your seniors and colleagues.