1st year corporate associate. I’ve only billed 500-600 hrs since September and have a couple of months I billed 20-30 hrs. We don’t really have an assignment system. Should I be worried? I just assumed it will be a lot busier in summer/fall and thought I should enjoy the slow time while I can. But all these posts from other first years freaking out for billing 100 a month is giving me anxiety 😦

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Alright these “should I be worried” posts have to stop.

Attention all juniors: If your entire practice group is a little bit slow for a while, but you are doing good work, reaching out for assignments, fulfilling whatever RTO requirements your firm has set, responding to emails right away, and generally not being a dick, take a deep breath and keep on keeping on.

If your hours are low because you’re “hiding,” doing the minimum, not communicating, turning in poor work product, blowing deadlines, etc., then yes, you may eventually run into consequences. To you I suggest changing those behaviors that you probably know deep down aren’t serving you, but no I do not recommend that you enter a state of worry. That’s pointless. Just do your job to the best of your ability and what will be will be.

likehelpful

As a slow jr, thank you for this.

like

Corporate is slower generally right now. Have you asked for work/advocated for yourself? I’d suggest picking up pro bono or other internal stuff that might be billable (client development, recruiting, etc). It shows you’re trying to stay busy and benefits you bonus-wise. Unfortunately not much you can do if the partners aren’t giving you work, so long as you’re making it known you need it

like

It depends on the firm honestly. Sometimes you can work on the research/presentation for pitches, sometimes it’s internal tech initiatives billed to “client development”, other times it’s just client work that’s not billable to a specific matter

like

If you have an annual hours target, they will probably only be looking at your hours billed since January 1 2022. How many of those do you have?

like

OP - Make sure you confirm what your firm considers to be a performance year - every biglaw firm I’ve worked in did not use the calendar year as the performance year.

like

No in terms of getting fired. Yes in terms of getting a bonus. It will be hard to make up those hours if you’re only at 5-600 by now

Related Posts

Is she sending herself flowers at home now?
@wallstreetconfessions on Instagram 📸

Post Photo
like

I am interested in learning data science and excel in that path. Please let me know any opportunities.

Anyone in here have a hospital job for a unit secretary position? How much does it pay in California? Any help is greatly appreciated

like

What's the salary at Bain - consultant year 1 level

like

Info thread: Has anyone with more than 5YOE completed data analytics course from IIM -C, ISB, IIITB, etc. and landed on a decent job with an ROI worth spending the time, effort, and fee? Examples with difference in compensation post the course would be very helpful. I have over 7 YOE in an adjacent field with 25lpa comp already.. TIA!

like

Any other itinerant teachers of the deaf here? What are your biggest struggles?

like

What is everyone on here's obsession with Flavia? I don't get it.

like

Which tech stack has best chance of getting me job abroad?

like

Got rejected again by Facebook. Reason they rejected me is because other applicant did slightly better on the technical interview. Feeling like shit. Any advice?

I have a first round at an MBB coming up. Really nervous 🥺 please send some good vibes. Never thought I would ever get the chance to interview at companies like this

like
like

Looking to expand my knowledge with tech recruitment and also management. Anyone have any advice?

likesmart

Has anyone managed to get an employers reference from your current work for a new job? They don’t want me to leave so Im not sure hope they’ll react when I ask- but the new job say they need a reference

like

Is rosevelt island a good place to live? Seeing some ridiculously low prices on rent??

like

Anyone moved from NYC to Chicago? Single and likes outdoors. love walking around

like

Anyone move from NYC to San Diego? Lease is up in September and my bf and I are dabbling with the idea. Both remote jobs & I think the city is just getting to us.

like

I wish it would be morally acceptable to publicly trash companies that did 5/6 rounds of interviews with you and completely ghost after. Most of these were done during work hours. Required a lot of arrangements. A total of 5+ hours over weeks. So disrespectful.

like

Has anyone else seen ads for the musical “Shen Yun”, EVERYWHERE??? To date I have seen billboards, social media ads, posters, and received a mailer yesterday. Their media budget must be massive.

Hi all
Need some honest suggestions on how to prepare for az 204 certification!

Please help !

I need it urgently 🙏🙏

like

Hey all, what's a fair salary range for Manager in EY Business Consulting (Digital Finance) in London? 8 YOE in industry and not done consulting before. Any insights on culture and work life balance would be great!EY

likehelpful

Additional Posts in Big Law

What’s your firm’s policy on being able to expense meals (e.g., after a certain time of day or after a certain number of billable hours)?

like

Spent today (Sunday) checking my phone every hour, waiting for a partner to sign-off on work product before it goes over to OC. Do I bill for any of this time? This otherwise would have been a free day.

like

Was just asked if I could solo a call with an angry client and it’s like, I *can* but I’m scared cuz I’m just a 👶🏼 and I need my paren— I mean partner!

likefunny

just gave notice and already feeling free as a bird

likeuplifting

I’m only in my early 30s but I feel like I’m becoming that sour associate who’s starting to think “well back in my time…” I hate that I’m becoming that person and am trying to fix that attitude, but I’ve also come across more junior associates post COVID who seem burnt out already and does not give a f about their work product. No sense of responsibility or trying to own a task, not interested in getting trained, always off camera when we’re on, logs off early everyday, and looking to coast

likefunny

I’m a first year and fucked up big time. The client doesn’t know about this but a senior associate was furious. I know it’s 100% my fault but no one above me actually reviewed my work bc everyone was so busy. But then I found out the senior gave a rant about how I fucked up to another colleague. When I apologized to him, he was really salty. Since then, my heart drops every time I see his email bc I’m too scared. He is usually pretty emotional and his instructions are vague, which doesn’t help.

likehelpful

Etiquette for sending seasons’ greetings emails? Send to partners, all people you work with, some combination of the two or (hopefully) not really necessary?

like

First review is coming up. Tips for survival? I fully expect it to be terrible. I am not happy here, I never have been, I don't want that to come across in the review, and I just want to make it out of the meeting with a small amount of grace. My plan is to just nod along and say thanks, will work on. I am also insanely busy right now and this is the last thing I want to deal with.

likehelpful

Anyone work at Michelman & Robinson? Or know anything about them?

like

Anyone looking for any juniors for labor law? Have some xp and really want to make it fully my future practice area.

like

Client task codes are so useless I never understand why we have them

likesmart

As a second year, if you already switched firms once, would it be weird to lateral again in January? For context have worked at two mid sized firms, one for 5 months the other for almost a full year. Trying to make a jump to big law. And how would you address that in any interview. Appreciate all perspectives.

like

Anyone know of big law firms in Dallas where you can be M&A, make market/bonus by billing in the 1900-2000 hour range every year and not get fired. To early to decide if I want to shoot for partner or go in house. At this point, just don’t want to bill 2000-2400 hours a year to get a garbage bonus (5%). Double points if the culture isn’t god-awful. Does such a place exist?

like

I just finished my second round of interviews at a well respected regional firm with a 1700-1800 hour target but no hard requirement. The people seemed energetic and not dead in the eyes like my big law bosses. Send good luck, I’m happy to take the pay cut

likesmart

What are peoples views on the John Fetterman news cycle regarding the use of live captioning an in an interview as a senator candidate?

like

Are there any firms that market a slightly different lifestyle than maybe the V10 for M&A lawyers (or more broadly)? Considering a move in 2023 and thinking law firms still may be the best fit for comp and experience but also want to escape some of the crazy culture of working a ton, difficult clients, partners never pushing back on timelines etc. Perhaps I’m looking for the unicorn firm that does not exist.

like

Current lit firm isn’t doing well but values me a lot/will likely make me partner in a couple of years, however I am not happy w the people and I think firm is sinking. Interviewed w 2 firms, got offer from firm 1 (great rep, but everyone I talked to seems not to like the firm culture/is drowning in work). I love the people at firm 2 but they still haven’t made a decision. Firm 1-2 offer same comp.
What would you do if firm 2 doesn’t make an offer? Turn down firm 1 and keep looking? Too risky?

like

Do you dress up if you’re only observing a trial and not participating (i.e. not representing either party)? This is for a third-party insurance coverage case and my first time ever being asked to observe the underlying trial.

like

Anybody here know starting salary for a second year attorney at Ogletree Deakins and/or Fisher Phillips in their LA or SF offices?

like

Is it standard to be able to take time off (hoping for 2 weeks) in between lateraling? So, two weeks notice at current company to wrap things up and then two weeks off before starting at the new place?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal