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Surviving and Succeeding in Large Law Firms: While Keeping Your Honor and Dignity
This book shares insights from Paul C. McCoy's career spanning three decades and three global law firms, including Linklaters in London, Pillsbury in San Francisco and Morgan Lewis in both San Francisco and New York. As a Partner at Morgan Lewis, Mr. McCoy was the global leader of the Private Equity Funds Practice Area for five years and a member of the firm's hiring committee for a decade.Practicing law in a law firm is challenging, to say the least. A law degree and the technical skills taught by law firms are only small parts of what you need to survive and succeed in a law firm. Most of what you need to know will take you decades of experience to learn through trial and error. As a result, new lawyers find themselves slogging through life as a firm associate unsure whether or not their efforts are really getting them anywhere in the long run. This state of perpetual uncertainty, pushing slowly forward into a black void, leaves many very unhappy with their work life and, as a consequence, their overall life suffers. There is an easier way. Imagine knowing that the steps you are taking are in fact leading to success. Imagine having a mentor who has already worked his way up the learning curve, already learned through trial and error what works and what doesn’t work, who could share with you techniques and insights that could substantially increase your chances of surviving and succeeding at a law firm. Imagine if such mentor was always immediately available to you at your request. Well, this book was written precisely to be a virtual mentor for the multitudes of lawyers struggling to survive and succeed in law firms.This book is a must read for any law student considering a career at a law firm. This book is also an invaluable asset for any associate at a law firm struggling to survive and succeed. Give yourself an edge and learn from a lawyer who not only survived but succeeded in the world of prestigious, global law firms.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2021
8 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 22, 2021
Paul McCoy's guide to surviving in BigLaw is written for attorneys, but is just as valuable for paralegals and other support staff. Actually, this book's practical advice is valuable for anyone in ANY industry and can be applied to any aspect of one's life.
Chapters currently bookmarked in my Kindle edition that I have referred to again and again:
Ch. 6: You must understand the relative value of your time to the time of others. - this chapter should be a must-read for ANYONE practicing in law. So many needy associates or self-important paralegals do not understand this concept.
Ch. 8: Train others; The benefits are exponential. - Law, like other high stakes careers, is rife with imposter syndrome and work-hoarding. Because of this and the short-sightedness of those who are withholding training opportunities because "it's easier just to do it myself!" (imagine toddler foot stamping), the practice will stagnate. Train others - yes, it's an initial investment of time that may hurt your productivity in the short term, but the long-term benefits will increase your productivity, and that of your firm/practice group. Withholding does not make you look better and only serves to hinder growth.
Ch. 9: Seek the most complicated assignments. - Essentially, if it's something no one else wants to do; GO FOR IT. You'll gain experience and a reputation for being a team player capable of complex work.
Ch. 14: You are no longer paying others; you are now being paid. - Essentially, keep your entitlement in check. This isn't your college that you're paying tuition dollars to receive an education. You are being paid to do a job.
Ch. 17: Takers & Ch. 18: The art of "yes-f***ing." - essential survival tips and skills for dealing with takers and other toxic/entitled people. This chapter applies to every aspect of your life.
Ch. 25: Your boss is not your parent; your subordinate is not your child. - yet another chapter I wish was required reading for anyone in law. Its lessons are just as valuable outside the profession, but the boundaries and tone-checking are especially relevant in law.
The rest of the chapters are just as important, these are just the ones that really get the most use from me, whether for my own reference or when I need to coach a colleague. If you work in a law firm, I highly recommend you read this.
Chapters currently bookmarked in my Kindle edition that I have referred to again and again:
Ch. 6: You must understand the relative value of your time to the time of others. - this chapter should be a must-read for ANYONE practicing in law. So many needy associates or self-important paralegals do not understand this concept.
Ch. 8: Train others; The benefits are exponential. - Law, like other high stakes careers, is rife with imposter syndrome and work-hoarding. Because of this and the short-sightedness of those who are withholding training opportunities because "it's easier just to do it myself!" (imagine toddler foot stamping), the practice will stagnate. Train others - yes, it's an initial investment of time that may hurt your productivity in the short term, but the long-term benefits will increase your productivity, and that of your firm/practice group. Withholding does not make you look better and only serves to hinder growth.
Ch. 9: Seek the most complicated assignments. - Essentially, if it's something no one else wants to do; GO FOR IT. You'll gain experience and a reputation for being a team player capable of complex work.
Ch. 14: You are no longer paying others; you are now being paid. - Essentially, keep your entitlement in check. This isn't your college that you're paying tuition dollars to receive an education. You are being paid to do a job.
Ch. 17: Takers & Ch. 18: The art of "yes-f***ing." - essential survival tips and skills for dealing with takers and other toxic/entitled people. This chapter applies to every aspect of your life.
Ch. 25: Your boss is not your parent; your subordinate is not your child. - yet another chapter I wish was required reading for anyone in law. Its lessons are just as valuable outside the profession, but the boundaries and tone-checking are especially relevant in law.
The rest of the chapters are just as important, these are just the ones that really get the most use from me, whether for my own reference or when I need to coach a colleague. If you work in a law firm, I highly recommend you read this.
November 12, 2025
Quick read. Very general, but informative advice. Too soon to tell whether this book will be helpful for years to come. It would be an interesting read for a non-lawyer to see how peculiar the world of big law can be.
May 15, 2024
Book contains some good advice but could benefit from an updated edition. More proofeeading and research would benefit it
June 9, 2025
great and practical advise
Must read for any professions, not just as lawyers in big laws. Very practical and insightful advise that helps to navigate career
Must read for any professions, not just as lawyers in big laws. Very practical and insightful advise that helps to navigate career
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews