A Firm Perspective is written by Martha Goldman, a retired Big Law firm library manager who then returned to the NYLS Mendik Library where her career began…
A deadline exists for a reason, and there should be no assumption that a deadline is flexible. A deadline date and/or time do not imply that you can do the work if you have the inclination or spare time, or not do it because you prefer to do something fun instead. When you are given an assignment in law school or on the job, you should presume that the deadline is not negotiable. A deadline implies a commitment that you will do what you were asked to do as thoroughly as possible within the given time frame. If you are not told when an assignment is due, ask that question. You can self-impose a deadline to help meet your goal. Occasionally, extenuating circumstances can occur on your side or by the assigning attorney or professor that can alter the deadline. Learning how to budget your time, possibly becoming a clock-watcher, is a necessary skill and comes with experience. Completing a task to the best of your abilities by meeting the deadline is a reflection of you and your professionalism, so make it count.