Can a firm take a tax write off if hours exceed the contingency fee? For example, the contingency fee is $10k. The hours expended on the file at the usual billing rate equal $15k. Can the firm write off the excess $5k of billable time spent on the file?

Is 150 billable hours per month little/average/a lot?

Weber folks! At what point do you become eligible for a yearly bonus and how is your bonus determined? Any tie to billable hours?

I'm a long time prosecutor getting into the ID game and billable hours. Are there any resources out there that can help me get more effective/efficient without spending months/years learning the hard way? Some days I'm at the office 10 hours, took virtually no breaks and yet only bill 7. 🤬

I just spoke with a software architect that went back to school to learn software engineering after law school because it was more lucrative and had less hours. He’s worked his way up and has the skills and authority to work 6:30am-10am and gets to work remotely. We discussed that results/outputs is better than billable time like in law and public accounting. Yet, his parents and others would view him as “lazy” but he does his job and makes a fantastic living. Time>Money and Results>Hours

What are firm’s known billable requirements? Is there a ramp up period?

Are any other paralegals struggling with billable hour requirements? I have 5 years of experience in corporate transactions, M&A, and real estate work, and have never had billable hour requirements. I'm in a new job now where I do and I'm nowhere near meeting them. I'm getting a lot more admin work than billable work, and it's stressing me out.

What’s the deal with RFPs? I’ve spent countless [non-billable] hours on several of them only to find out that I’m not included in the actual proposal (the document sent to the client showcasing the proposed case team). Is this normal?

To the post below- it is quiet, so I’ll bite!
Does anyone know about associate compensation at the regional Atlantic Canada firms? The the big ones have all been posting job ads for associates in the 3-5 year range. Any insight on salary and billable targets?

I’ve practiced litigation in DC for about 5+ years at a larger plaintiffs’ firm, and am considering a switch to a defense firm. Is there any insight to how many billable hours this would require, and how much time that would actually be? For reference, the firm has a 1900 billable hour requirement and the partner said I would have “no problem” fulfilling that based on the work they have.

How do firms give bonuses to associate attorneys? Quarterly, monthly, annually? What is a bonus based on? Money recieved, billable hours, etc?

I'm looking to set up a bonus structure for a new associate.

BONUS. What’s amount bonus do you get, and how often? Including bonus structure (ex for meeting billable hours), firm/boss randomly bonuses you, Christmas bonus, etc)

How does your firm measure utilization? I work for a small boutique that defines it as utilization = number of billable hours/2,080 and full bonus payout occurs at 80% plus.

Does anyone have experience working for a ALSP? How does compensation work (pay and benefits)? Are you an employee or technically an IC? Do you have billable requirements like at a firm? How do you think it prepared you to potentially move in house? I'm currently at a firm but thinking of taking a position with an ALSP but my goal is to go in house.

Went from a big firm to work for a smaller firm. The people in the smaller firm are protective of their work and are good by their work too. I no longer feel chaos or stress. I am treated with respect and my schedule is more normal. I am even working more billable hours than before, but it feels like a seamless experience. I don’t work then past 5pm or anything out of the ordinary for this time of the year. I am so grateful!

With the various RTO rumors/fear out there and in the absence of spring/summer/fall(?) bonuses. Would you consider coming into the office more if your firm offered bonuses linked to days in the office (coupled with billable targets, of course)?

So who else here is experiencing plummeting billable hours and exponential weight gain since this whole WFH thing started? Bought snacks for 30 days, finished in 48 hours.

Have any of you taken "low bono" clients while working at a firm? I want to take on a low bono client or two but not sure who would get the money. This is a contract opportunity through a non profit so I'm assuming a 1099 will be issued. The per hour rate is significantly less than my billable rate. I would (obviously) like the money but my real objective is just getting experience/networking since I recently moved to a new state and don't have clients of my own.

Does anyone run a business in addition to their firm? I’m a solo and I’m doing pretty well with about 60-70 billable hours a month. Though that leaves a lot of downtime. Curious if anyone has any second businesses that require about 20 hours a week. Not looking for passive income or franchise ideas though.

Received a job offer. Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on a concern I had about it. It's an entry level position, and I don't have much experience. The billables are 2040 a year. For billable hours in civil litigation and insurance defense, is 2040 hours for a 1st year associate on the high end in this field for a small or midsize firm? It seems like most attorneys I know have minimum requirements of around 1800. The compensation is around 80k a year.

Billables are low this month. Like I have 65 billable hours in so far. I’ve messaged partners over the last week to try and get more cases but there are tons of new associates who were just onboarded and were at a low point for business. I’m freaking out

I started a job with a restaurant as part time they hired me at a higher wage but after working for one week the other manager came to me telling me that they can’t afford what the other manager and I agreed on so now i have to work at less or I could look for another work options, she meant I should leave otherwise. What should I do?

Any ideas how EY comp compares to Deloitte?

Hi, I was promoted to Associate in March. Am I eligible for October annual hike?

Currently interviewing for a role at Amazon that is listed as a CW position, but I have direct experience in the product and capabilities this role is seeking, and the hiring manager is moving me forward. What is the likelihood that if I tried to negotiate from a CW to FTE, I would get the position?

I’m reviewing my resume getting ready to start my job search and have a question for recruiters, hiring managers. I’m looking for a role brand-side not agency side. Specialist roles aside, such as digital, when you see someone describing themselves as a “generalist marketer” is this a resume you’d pass on? My past roles have been such that I do a lot of marketing projects, tasks etc. but I’m not a specialist. I’m worried if I use this terminology I won’t even be considered for a role. Thank you

Looking for an Accenture or guidehouse referral. Already completed 3 yoe at EY.

I read a contract from San Diego that had some very interesting language for Special Educators. Thinking about sending it to the Union to see.

I’d love to know: how big is your company and how many is in your marketing dept!? I work for a credit union. We have six (almost 8) branches. Three man band marketing team.

Currently working as outside sales/service manager for a Union mechanical contractor in metro Detroit. 11 yoe and making $122k with annual sales of $2.4m-$3m yearly. What is everyone making for sales or operational roles?

What are common easy to pick up side hustles?

Hi everyone. I saw on insta that some ambassador elite got gifts. I only got the voucher despite getting ambassador this year regardless of covid extension. Am I going to get something?

Are you sick of tired of being sick and tired!!??

I know I am. Just like you the recent murders of two black men have done a number on me.... and I can’t just sit still with this. I wanna take action. I want to do something. Create something. Develops something that can create change.

So what is the output? I’m not sure. And that’s why I am reaching out to you all. Let’s use our talent in advertising to make something that will sway people to “PULL UP”!!! Let’s chat!! The time is now!!!!

My friend and I (both Asian and gay) were seating at the cafe on the 2nd floor of Saks Fifth Ave today waiting for our table for the restaurant on the 9th floor. A lady came and asked where are we from, and “why are you two men in this mall? This is for female only”. I said this mall sells products for all genders. She said she has walked all floors and never saw a thing for men. Then she threw curse at me. I stood up and asked her to repeat what she said. She pulled her phone and called 911

My boss in my creative agency threatened to fire me because I, a male, came into work with my nails painted. HR is having a very complicated day today as I found out I could take legal action if he does fire me since we don't have an established dress code that has any guidelines against male nail polish wearing.

Anyone working at Abbie willing to provide reference? Desperately need one

Process chemists/scientists! What was one interview question that you received when you interviewed with your current company? And what's one question you would ask a potential candidate during their interview?

When potential clients tell you they’ll hire your firm but they want to be 100% reimbursed from you if you aren’t able to get them the outcome they want - how hard is it not to laugh?! 🤦🏽‍♀️🙄

I have no idea what 99% of the other law bowls are talking and complaining about most of the time... anyone else in the same boat?

Any contract attorneys who handle trademarks looking for some work? I have a few office actions I need to respond to. Will pay on a hourly/flat fee basis.

Which practice area has the most amount of room for creative problem-solving? (And enough $$)

Hi all, I have been practicing for 5 years (admitted in NY & NJ) and recently went in house. I just started a side business of writing blog posts for firms or solo practitioners. DM for more info!

Plaintiff side question - comp is base plus % of fees. Firm has non equity split % with associate working on case. This normal for a non equity partner? Normal associate comp is full % when working with an equity partner.

I work at a small, 3 lawyer firm. One of the lawyers is not barred in the state we practice. Because of this, the managing attorney has been having him draft motions and other legal documents and use my name and bar number and having me file them because I will have to appear in court for the matter. Is this normal? I am not provided time to review the materials before I file them so I end up working longer days because I am nervous to file something using my name and bar number.

Has anyone received equity as contingency comp? I have a potential client with a founders dispute. He doesn’t have cash, and the other founder ripped him off and is now running the company. He wants to sue for equity and wants to pay me with whatever equity he wins. I’ve never done a deal like that. Is that even enforceable? CA law. The startup is actually quite promising.

How do firms give bonuses to associate attorneys? Quarterly, monthly, annually? What is a bonus based on? Money recieved, billable hours, etc?

I'm looking to set up a bonus structure for a new associate.

Anyone have recs for best tax law training resources?

Anyone have experience going back to school for either an LLM, MBA or something else while still maintaining their practice? Considering going for my MBA to open practice to more business consulting, but maintaining my full time practice. For context, I am an associate at a 5-7 attorney firm with a billable target in the 1300 vicinity.

Are there any real estate attorneys who have gotten into the title insurance business? What does that look like? Do you still carry on a private practice on the side?

Has anyone used a coaching service for their firm? If so, any recommendations?

Young solo here w/ a question about fees: 1. A local solo criminal defense attorney has offered to pay me to go and make appearances before the Court on some of her cases to make announcements. (For example, “ready when reached”). I’m open to doing this and this attorney is asking what my fee would be? Does anyone have thoughts or opinions on what a reasonable fee would be to do something like this? Hourly? Flat Fee? 2. I want to ensure this is ethical. I don’t see an issue with this. Thoughts?

Does anybody have a resource available for pricing and billing? I am 2 years out of law school, working as a corporate attorney, and wanting to go solo. Ideally, I will take my corporate client with me, but am working to build work on the side during the transition. Also, do you have any recommendations for document preparation? I would like to draft wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents, but would like a resource that has boilerplate provisions to utilize as a reference.

Does anyone have any insight regarding compensation for the “of counsel” position? I’m specifically looking for insight from those in California. Thank you!

Advice for Of Counsel roles? I am of counsel at a firm where I can set my own rate and keep a percentage of collections, which varies slightly depending on whether the client is one I generated or not. I’m finding that a lot of my work is for firm clients where the lawyer negotiated a flat fee (and the hours worked are less, due to efficiency etc). What is the right way for me to be compensated in this scenario?

I believe improving one’s sales conversion rate is something everyone want to improve but no one wants to admit they would like to work it. Funny how lawyers will spend thousands on seminars to improve trial skills. But this topic is not discussed in our profession. I have read books in sales. But am unable to find any for lawyers. I want convert every lead I can. Does anyone have tips, books, cle’s or studied this topic?

Does anyone run a business in addition to their firm? I’m a solo and I’m doing pretty well with about 60-70 billable hours a month. Though that leaves a lot of downtime. Curious if anyone has any second businesses that require about 20 hours a week. Not looking for passive income or franchise ideas though.