A: From a career perspective, your move from a smaller firm with less brand recognition to an AmLaw powerhouse can make strategic sense—particularly for an ambitious associate. But despite the virtues of such a move, you are miserable—as the firm's culture is misaligned with your own values. So remaining with this employer is not sustainable for long-term happiness …or success. If the job is barely bearable, leaving now would be an acceptable choice in today's legal market (In a separate Lawyer Whisperer article, I've addressed why this would be so). But if you are resolved to gut it out for one full year, you must create a strategy to make the most of your remaining tenure at the firm.

Here's how:

• Go Get Your Mentoring.

Lawyers today like to learn and greatly value access to a good mentor. But many sit back and wait for a corporate or law firm infrastructure to hand it to them on a silver platter. And while an increasing number of employers will promise that silver platter, not all of them deliver. For those who don't, mentor seeking employees have two options: complain; or do something about it. Given your situation, it's clear your new firm offers little if anything in the way of mentoring so you're going to have to be proactive to secure your gurus.