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While I understand that the job is important, I would suggest that you eventually create a boundary around your work. These people usually keep pushing until they are told firmly to stop. By firmly, I don’t mean being confrontational; rather, put your situation across in a professional manner so that they understand that if they keep putting you in the same situation repeatedly, you may eventually push back. I have noticed that people like this tend to back down when they realise that someone is willing to push back.
A valid thought that may have crossed your mind is to have a conversation with him. It might work, and I would suggest trying it once. If he says that work will come and that you are here to work, just state that you are trying, but it is impossible to look at this many pages within the given timeframe. Do take the example of others and point out that a similar amount of work is given to others, but their deadlines are different. This is what I have done, and it has worked for me. Now, if in the past you have completed the work within your partner’s unreasonable timeframes, please don’t give your partner the impression that they have someone who will do it even if the deadline is extremely short. The more you do it, the more work he will give you.
Also, please be aware of your team members. While they may seem nice, the issue arises when they start taking every small hiccup of yours to your partner. They may not do it regularly, but they tend to do it when they see that the person is already upset with you on a particular day. For instance, there may be days when your partner has shouted at you or has unnecessarily formed a negative opinion about you or your work. Those are the days when such people may go and add fuel to the situation.
Lastly, try to mentally disassociate yourself from the firm and the team. Stop giving them so much space in your head. I know it is easier said than done, but I have already reached a point where I have consciously decided that I don’t care about any organisation or team that I am currently working with or may work with in the future. That mindset is something you need to develop for your own peace of mind.
At the same time, start applying elsewhere. Put your CV out to recruiters and follow recruiters on LinkedIn.
Be strong. I know it is frustrating, and the worst part, as you said, is that some of these people don’t even know the basic law but behave as if they are rainmakers, while giving you the silent treatment or behaving like children.
I know you want to work and learn, so try to do that. Whenever they ask you to do something urgently, ask them when the matter or transaction is actually happening. Tell them what is already on your plate and say that it is not possible for you to take it up within that timeframe. Please add people to the work he needs urgently and divide the work. Complete your part and send it just before the deadline so that the other colleague who is doing the other half doesn’t ask the partner to give that part to you because you are done with your work early.
Lastly, try to create a perception within the team, especially among one or two people whose opinion carries some weight, that you are diligent and already busy with your work. Even if you don’t have much on your plate at a particular moment, create a perception that you are working or that your current task is tedious. Now, whenever these sudden “urgent” tasks come up, having this perception can give you some room to say no or push back. So, it works like this: if the partner asks about you or talks about you with other team members, at least someone can say that, yes, he already has work on his plate.
All the best, brother. Stop giving them this much attention, be who you are, and make your own time. Yes, you and I are replaceable, but so are others in other organisations. We are also here to replace someone else, not only to be replaced.
For document heavy disputes (12-13 volumes comprising a total of 5k plus pages) deadlines from me are to cull out drafts overnight, when his pet associates take days for the same work nothing is being said (I guess urgency is only pertains to my work). He seemingly has a problem with me but is not man enough to confront face to face.
The person gives me silent treatment and is reluctant to work on any matter with me. For context I am not a fresher also.
On top of that the person has zero knowledge on basics of law and does not even make the deliverables clear. Has no sense of talking, mannerism and etiquettes whatsoever.
All of this is impacting my personal relationships. I feel anxious. My confidence has dipped to such levels that i need AI to validate my work ! Someone please guide me out of this ! Thanks and much love to all those facing similar issues.