Some Law Firms Punish Associates With Tough Assignments - Above the Law

"Most law firms typically have vast portfolios of work that keep associates and staff busy. This can include matters that extend across different practice areas as well as various state and federal courts. Sometimes, associates can choose the types of matters they work on, but most of the time, associates are assigned matters and practice areas depending on the needs of a law firm."

"Pretty much every law firm has unpleasant matter that the firm accepts to generate revenue and keep the lights on at a shop. For instance, there are often sexual assault cases on which law firms work involving religious organizations, civic groups, and other types of defendants. These types of matters are often filed in waves, so at any given time, a law firm hired to defend these types of cases might have numerous matters connected with a tragic subject matter."

"However, working on such matters might be much more unpleasant than working on other types of cases. Sexual abuse cases or other types of unappealing matters might involve difficult topics, uncomfortable questions, and may be more emotionally draining than other kinds of work. One way law firms can handle the emotional load of such matters is to evenly distribute such cases so that no one associate needs to spend an inordinate time on such matters."

Law firms maintain large, varied portfolios spanning practice areas and courts, and assign matters to associates based on firm needs. Firms sometimes accept unpleasant but revenue-generating matters, including sexual assault cases involving organizations, which can arise in waves. These matters can be emotionally draining and involve difficult, uncomfortable topics. Even distribution of such cases can reduce individual burden. Billing requirements can trap associates into handling primarily unpleasant work, making it difficult to decline and meet expectations. Some firms may use undesirable assignments punitively or to encourage departures, creating ethical and workload concerns.

Read at Above the Law