About Marissa Geannette

Marissa graduated from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 2009 where she was a member of the Law Review. She began her career in the corporate department of White & Case LLP in NYC and spent 8 years as an associate there. Marissa is passionate about educating law students and recent law grads about Biglaw and career paths one can take after law school (both traditional and non-traditional). She wrote her book, “Behind the Biglaw Curtain” to help demystify Biglaw for those beginning their careers. Whether it’s in Biglaw or not, she believes that there is a satisfying career out there for everyone (even if it’s not the traditional one you thought you were “supposed” to have).

How to Manage a Medical Issue When You Have a Full-Time, Demanding, Legal Job

How to Manage a Medical Issue When You Have a Full-Time, Demanding, Legal JobThis week we welcome back guest writer and lawyer Marissa Geannette to discuss dealing with a medical issue and being a lawyer at the same time.

Juggling a demanding legal job with all of your other life obligations definitely takes some work. On top of that, if you have a medical issue, it’s even more essential that you have a plan so that neither your work nor your health suffers.

So, how can you manage a medical issue and keep up with your job, all while taking care of yourself? This is such an individual question, and, in the end, what you choose to do or say (or not do or say) is totally up to you. However, we have a few tips to help you start thinking about how you might want to manage your own situation. [Read more…]

The Pros and Cons of Quitting Your Job After Less Than a Year

The Pros and Cons of Quitting Your Job After Less Than a YearThis week we welcome guest writer Marissa Geannette to talk about what to do if you want to quit your job quickly.

After you graduate from law school and take the bar, it’s time to start your first legal job. For most, it’s an exciting beginning of a new career. For some, though, that first job is not exactly what they were hoping it would be.

There’s almost always an adjustment period when starting something new. Working at a law firm or other legal job is no different. What happens, though, if, almost from the get-go, your shiny new job is not at all what you were hoping it would be? Can you quit shortly after starting, or will that sink your legal career before it’s even had time to get off the ground? Let’s explore. [Read more…]

How To Juggle Multiple Work Assignments At Once

How To Juggle Multiple Work Assignments At OnceThis week we welcome back guest writer Marissa Geannette to discuss managing multiple work assignments as a lawyer.

As a law student, you already know what it’s like to have more than one thing due at once. Having competing obligations and multiple assignments due at once is nothing new to you.

When you begin working, especially at a law firm, you’ll likely find that you have even more things to juggle. Sooner rather than later, you’re bound to receive multiple assignments, from multiple lawyers, all due at the same time. So, what’s a new lawyer to do?

First of all, let’s put something to bed once and for all– multitasking doesn’t work. Our minds can’t do two things at once, so when we try to do that, we end up costing ourselves more time in the end.

That’s why none of these tips are about how to multitask. Instead, we talk about other strategies you can implement to juggle multiple work assignments without driving yourself crazy.

[Read more…]

What Is The Billable Hour? An Overview And Practical Tips For New Lawyers

What Is The Billable Hour? An Overview And Practical Tips For New LawyersThis week we welcome guest write Marissa Geannette to talk about an overview of the billable hour.

When I was a law student, I had no idea how law firms operated. One of the biggest mysteries to me was the billable hour. I’d heard that most law firms required their lawyers to track their time, but I didn’t really know what that meant.

If you feel similarly confused, hopefully, this post will make things clearer for you. While it takes a little while to understand the billable hour, with these practical tips, you’ll get the hang of it in no time!

[Read more…]