Mrs. Lechner
@mrslechner.bsky.social
J.D., Minnesota-based attorney, dog mom (Winifred 8/23/2025- ;Mayzie 10/18/2010-5/5/2023); wife; Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, MCU, and Buffy fan; baseball and hockey enthusiast; vinyl collector; all around weirdo
It should be noted that I hit my billable requirement yesterday so everything today and tomorrow is just gravy. #AssociateLife
December 30, 2025 at 4:54 PM
It should be noted that I hit my billable requirement yesterday so everything today and tomorrow is just gravy. #AssociateLife
The puppy is quite upset that my husband is still sleeping (he's sick) and that I need to work (from home). She finally fell asleep on my lap at my desk, but I feel like I need to be careful about how much I move so as to not wake the beast.
December 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The puppy is quite upset that my husband is still sleeping (he's sick) and that I need to work (from home). She finally fell asleep on my lap at my desk, but I feel like I need to be careful about how much I move so as to not wake the beast.
This morning I got the puppy up when I got up and we had a great snuggle session. Then when I put her back in her bed so that she would sleep in while I got ready for work she immediately tried to escape her crate. She was unhappy the snuggles were over. Girl, same.
December 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
This morning I got the puppy up when I got up and we had a great snuggle session. Then when I put her back in her bed so that she would sleep in while I got ready for work she immediately tried to escape her crate. She was unhappy the snuggles were over. Girl, same.
Starting my holidays (minus a couple hours of work tomorrow) by getting a pedicure. Best decision I've made in awhile.
December 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Starting my holidays (minus a couple hours of work tomorrow) by getting a pedicure. Best decision I've made in awhile.
I'm losing a bit of steam at 3:30pm the day before the office is closed for two days for the Christmas holiday. I need to try to power through for another 2ish hours today. (Then I might do another couple hours tomorrow morning -- BUT THEN I'll be done until Monday)
December 23, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I'm losing a bit of steam at 3:30pm the day before the office is closed for two days for the Christmas holiday. I need to try to power through for another 2ish hours today. (Then I might do another couple hours tomorrow morning -- BUT THEN I'll be done until Monday)
This month I've done a good job tracking my time (I log my hours by hand), but I've done a really bad job at entering the time in our system. Over the next couple days, I'm going to try to get one week per day entered.
Relatedly, my new year's resolution is to be better with this!
Relatedly, my new year's resolution is to be better with this!
December 23, 2025 at 4:23 AM
This month I've done a good job tracking my time (I log my hours by hand), but I've done a really bad job at entering the time in our system. Over the next couple days, I'm going to try to get one week per day entered.
Relatedly, my new year's resolution is to be better with this!
Relatedly, my new year's resolution is to be better with this!
Just a couple more "billable" days for the year and I'm feeling really good about hitting my requirement. AND my holidays are unlikely to be negatively impacted!
December 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Just a couple more "billable" days for the year and I'm feeling really good about hitting my requirement. AND my holidays are unlikely to be negatively impacted!
People kept telling me that the firm slows down a lot in December...we are over the half way mark and it is not slowing down. Will my Christmas be ruined? Probably not, but still I'm not really coasting into the end of the year like I was promised/told.
December 19, 2025 at 1:48 PM
People kept telling me that the firm slows down a lot in December...we are over the half way mark and it is not slowing down. Will my Christmas be ruined? Probably not, but still I'm not really coasting into the end of the year like I was promised/told.
There is something really nice about hearing a partner (law firm -- not romantic) say "I have more work that will come across your desk next week" and "I am very much looking forward to working with you on these upcoming matters."
December 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
There is something really nice about hearing a partner (law firm -- not romantic) say "I have more work that will come across your desk next week" and "I am very much looking forward to working with you on these upcoming matters."
I'm curious what lawsky thinks about drafting proposed findings, conclusions, and order after a hearing.
Do you have these drafted before the hearing in anticipation that the judge is going to ask for them? Do you draft it right after the hearing? Do you wait a day or two before drafting?
Do you have these drafted before the hearing in anticipation that the judge is going to ask for them? Do you draft it right after the hearing? Do you wait a day or two before drafting?
December 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I'm curious what lawsky thinks about drafting proposed findings, conclusions, and order after a hearing.
Do you have these drafted before the hearing in anticipation that the judge is going to ask for them? Do you draft it right after the hearing? Do you wait a day or two before drafting?
Do you have these drafted before the hearing in anticipation that the judge is going to ask for them? Do you draft it right after the hearing? Do you wait a day or two before drafting?
2nd hearing of the week! Let's gooooooo!
December 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
2nd hearing of the week! Let's gooooooo!
I think I might have enough work to get to my billable requirement for the year...now it's finding the motivation and focus to actually get it done in a way that doesn't negatively impact my Christmas celebrations.
December 11, 2025 at 1:44 AM
I think I might have enough work to get to my billable requirement for the year...now it's finding the motivation and focus to actually get it done in a way that doesn't negatively impact my Christmas celebrations.
Nothing quite like starting the week (and your birthday) with an 8am Teams meeting discussing a very technical doc review project with 6 other associates.
December 8, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Nothing quite like starting the week (and your birthday) with an 8am Teams meeting discussing a very technical doc review project with 6 other associates.
On the eve of my birthday I looked back at this post and I cried a mixed of happy and relieved tears. I'm in a very different place than I was a year ago and I can honestly say I'm so much happier than I was. And I'm thankful that I took control to make changes.
As I sit with my coffee and reflect, I'm both filled with hope and anxiety. This last year was not quite what I expected. So, anxiety is saying "what if nothing changes?" But hope is saying "what if everything changes for the best?"
All that to say, I'm another year older today.
All that to say, I'm another year older today.
December 8, 2025 at 1:19 AM
On the eve of my birthday I looked back at this post and I cried a mixed of happy and relieved tears. I'm in a very different place than I was a year ago and I can honestly say I'm so much happier than I was. And I'm thankful that I took control to make changes.
In the last few weeks, I've had conversations with partners (not close to retirement) talk to and with me about succession planning and their hopes for their legacies and clients. I've been incredibly impressed that I've been included in those conversations as a young associate.
December 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
In the last few weeks, I've had conversations with partners (not close to retirement) talk to and with me about succession planning and their hopes for their legacies and clients. I've been incredibly impressed that I've been included in those conversations as a young associate.
Time to get the second half of the month's time entries entered and released. Deadline is today at 8pm so I'm doing great!
Perhaps next month will be the month I finally do this on a weekly basis...
Perhaps next month will be the month I finally do this on a weekly basis...
November 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Time to get the second half of the month's time entries entered and released. Deadline is today at 8pm so I'm doing great!
Perhaps next month will be the month I finally do this on a weekly basis...
Perhaps next month will be the month I finally do this on a weekly basis...
I really love working with/for attorneys who take time to explain the "why" behind the thing that we are doing. It makes my job so much more meaningful and helps me develop the strategy part of being a lawyer.
November 24, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I really love working with/for attorneys who take time to explain the "why" behind the thing that we are doing. It makes my job so much more meaningful and helps me develop the strategy part of being a lawyer.
Writing a response brief to a motion today so I don't have to entirely ruin my Thanksgiving...
November 23, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Writing a response brief to a motion today so I don't have to entirely ruin my Thanksgiving...
Getting to the office early has not happened since getting a puppy. The morning sleepy snuggle time is just too irresistible.
November 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Getting to the office early has not happened since getting a puppy. The morning sleepy snuggle time is just too irresistible.
There is something really special about a partner on a case saying, "Hey this update to the client is great! Put it on your letterhead with your signature; you deserve it."
November 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
There is something really special about a partner on a case saying, "Hey this update to the client is great! Put it on your letterhead with your signature; you deserve it."
I've had a busy week and a lot of things going on all at once. I walked into my office this morning and I realized it looked like a bomb went off with legal pads and redropes all over my desk. I took a few minutes just now to put everything in its proper place. So. Much. Better.
November 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I've had a busy week and a lot of things going on all at once. I walked into my office this morning and I realized it looked like a bomb went off with legal pads and redropes all over my desk. I took a few minutes just now to put everything in its proper place. So. Much. Better.
Today was an extremely productive day in the office, but I missed my sweet puppy snuggles and my feet were sad to not be wearing fuzzy socks. I'm home now; time to lock in for some more work while wearing fuzzy socks. (Puppy snuggles might come later)
November 11, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Today was an extremely productive day in the office, but I missed my sweet puppy snuggles and my feet were sad to not be wearing fuzzy socks. I'm home now; time to lock in for some more work while wearing fuzzy socks. (Puppy snuggles might come later)
How many more *high priority* things can I add to my list today? One more and I'll probably have to cry "uncle!" But in all reality, I'm happy that people are coming to me and that I'm busy.
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
How many more *high priority* things can I add to my list today? One more and I'll probably have to cry "uncle!" But in all reality, I'm happy that people are coming to me and that I'm busy.
It's the first work day after getting our new puppy. I decided to work from home to make the transition easier. I think I'm going to need to majorly adjust my routine for office days so she can get some playtime in before I go to work. #tired
November 3, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It's the first work day after getting our new puppy. I decided to work from home to make the transition easier. I think I'm going to need to majorly adjust my routine for office days so she can get some playtime in before I go to work. #tired
I work with one particular partner who is very thoughtful and holds reactions until she has thought about what is being said. I know I'm thinking creatively and doing good lawyer work when she starts smiling and nodding while I'm pitching a strategy. It's one of my absolute favorite things.
October 24, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I work with one particular partner who is very thoughtful and holds reactions until she has thought about what is being said. I know I'm thinking creatively and doing good lawyer work when she starts smiling and nodding while I'm pitching a strategy. It's one of my absolute favorite things.