From the ABA Publication, After the Bar.
You passed the bar. You are a big-shot lawyer, and now your firm reveres you for generating billable hours and producing high-quality legal work! After all, that is what they teach you in law school, right? Put in the effort, and you will be rewarded.Certainly, hard work is important. But advancing your career once you begin practicing requires more than diligence. The skills you developed studying law may be essential, but simply doing great work is only half the battle. Learning how to navigate personalities in and out of your firm will also play a critical role in your success.
So, what do you do when you encounter a partner who is highly critical of your work? How do you react when the person who controls your destiny is making unreasonable demands on your time, blaming you in front of others for things that are not your fault, or failing to provide you with the resources you need to be successful?Law is a stressful business. Clients want results, and deadlines can come fast and furious. At the same time, partners who are good at their craft do not necessarily have great interpersonal skills.

Click here to read more (including tips on how to deal with the challenging situations that associates face in law firms.)