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
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.
Check one thing off the to-do list; add three more things... *sigh*
October 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Check one thing off the to-do list; add three more things... *sigh*
I got a little overwhelmed at work today and stayed at the office until after 830pm to try to check things off my to do list. It helped the overwhelming feeling a little bit but not completely. There is still so much to get done.
October 23, 2025 at 1:39 AM
I got a little overwhelmed at work today and stayed at the office until after 830pm to try to check things off my to do list. It helped the overwhelming feeling a little bit but not completely. There is still so much to get done.
I may have become one of the partner's go-to associate. She even comes to me with cases that are outside the norm of what we typically do to gauge my interest. Maybe I'm delusional and she goes to the other associates first, but until I hear otherwise, I'm going to celebrate this win.
October 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I may have become one of the partner's go-to associate. She even comes to me with cases that are outside the norm of what we typically do to gauge my interest. Maybe I'm delusional and she goes to the other associates first, but until I hear otherwise, I'm going to celebrate this win.
I wore a cute outfit today with a skirt and tights because of a networking event after work. All I keep thinking about is how excited I am to get home to change into comfy clothes that make me look like a potato.
October 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I wore a cute outfit today with a skirt and tights because of a networking event after work. All I keep thinking about is how excited I am to get home to change into comfy clothes that make me look like a potato.
It is less than 50 degrees outside this morning so I have my office window open. I'm basking in the fact that we finally have a crisp fall morning after having gross hot/humid days for the end of Sept./beginning of Oct. 🍂
October 6, 2025 at 1:53 PM
It is less than 50 degrees outside this morning so I have my office window open. I'm basking in the fact that we finally have a crisp fall morning after having gross hot/humid days for the end of Sept./beginning of Oct. 🍂
Back in my office less than 12 hours after I left and my to-do list does not seem any shorter--in fact it's longer! I know this is temporary, but, boy howdy, it sucks.
October 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Back in my office less than 12 hours after I left and my to-do list does not seem any shorter--in fact it's longer! I know this is temporary, but, boy howdy, it sucks.
Sometimes when I'm really struggling with motivation to write a brief, I quietly sing the Final Fantasy VII victory fanfare when I finish drafting a section of said brief. It helps me feel like I accomplished something. youtu.be/rgUksX6eM0Y?...
Final Fantasy VII - Victory Fanfare [HD]
YouTube video by PadookieBruh
youtu.be
September 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Sometimes when I'm really struggling with motivation to write a brief, I quietly sing the Final Fantasy VII victory fanfare when I finish drafting a section of said brief. It helps me feel like I accomplished something. youtu.be/rgUksX6eM0Y?...
Time to get caught up on my time entries for the first part of the month....it always takes way longer than I think it will.
September 11, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Time to get caught up on my time entries for the first part of the month....it always takes way longer than I think it will.
Sometimes the court steps in and makes your week a little brighter by denying a motion without you having to file an opposition because the motion was filed improperly. One less motion to write this week....huzzah!
September 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Sometimes the court steps in and makes your week a little brighter by denying a motion without you having to file an opposition because the motion was filed improperly. One less motion to write this week....huzzah!
After averaging 8.6 billable hrs/day for the last 8 days (including Sat & Sun), I decided I'm working from home in my sweats. I'll probably bill 9+ hours today, but I'm going to be comfy doing it. Being in the office to wear headphones and draft briefs seems silly. #associatelife #flexibility
September 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
After averaging 8.6 billable hrs/day for the last 8 days (including Sat & Sun), I decided I'm working from home in my sweats. I'll probably bill 9+ hours today, but I'm going to be comfy doing it. Being in the office to wear headphones and draft briefs seems silly. #associatelife #flexibility
It is such a relief to be able to move things from my "high priority" list to my "medium priority" list when I've been swamped with "high priority" items. They'll all be moved back next week, but for now my high priority list looks more manageable for the week.
September 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
It is such a relief to be able to move things from my "high priority" list to my "medium priority" list when I've been swamped with "high priority" items. They'll all be moved back next week, but for now my high priority list looks more manageable for the week.
I worked billed full days both Saturday and Sunday. Thankfully this is not the norm, but it really sucks to not have a weekend. My days were productive, but I'm exhausted.
September 8, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I worked billed full days both Saturday and Sunday. Thankfully this is not the norm, but it really sucks to not have a weekend. My days were productive, but I'm exhausted.