Ever stare at a case file for an hour, know you read everything, but have zero clue what you just absorbed? That guilt of wasted billable time is the worst. Anyone find ways to stay present?

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Only thing that helps me besides sleep and caffeine is active reading for me. Taking notes of both what I read and what questions that pop into my head to make sure they are addressed somewhere in what I’m reading. Helps for all jut the most boring things.

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I have to read things over and over again. I try to get a sense of what’s relevant before digging in so I can kind of push things to the side

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Agree with skimming first to familiarize yourself with the material, then set a timer, have your tools handy (pens, highlighters, tabs) and get to it. I am also very persuasive and can convince myself to make most things interesting so if I’m bored, I will actively challenge myself to find something “fun” about what I’m reading to intrigue me

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This happens to me all the time and I’m not sure where blocks of time go

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Related Posts

Recent lateral junior associate in brand new practice where I'm the only associate. I'm probably going to bill 1,500 hours max this year due to being very slow and taking time off for a delayed honeymoon which I disclosed during my interview process. I have been told my work product is good, I don't turn anything down, I participate in non-billable work, I'm responsive and I always let people know I'm available to help. Do I need to be worried about getting fired for low hours?

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Alston & Bird LLP Does anyone have any insight into associate pay, bonuses, min billable hours, and general work/life balance at Alston & Bird LLP? (DC Office)

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What’s your current billable rate and salary?

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I have an interview with Korn Ferry for an associate principal role and am curious about others’ experiences have been with work-life balance here. Also, I have an idea of what I should be compensated in this type of role, but any insights on how they pay compared to others would be helpful. Are you traveling during the pandemic or have client interactions been virtual? Lastly, if you are a consultant here, are you on billable hours? My current consulting role is not - so this would be new.

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Does anyone know the billable hours goal for managers at EY?

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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.

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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.

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Looking to leave a govt job for a junior attorney role in a small workers comp defense firm. I have no experience in workers comp. How easy is it to learn the work and make 1850 billable hours? What future opportunities does this experience give?

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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.

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

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.

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Obligatory financial info post. 1) size of firm, 2) billable requirements, 3) salary, 4) bonus, 5) quality of life, 6) debt, and and 7) family/married/single. Go!

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How many billable hours do people in prosecution tend to average each month? I’ve gone through waves of feeling like my billable hours requirement is reasonable to feeling like I’m drowning and can’t possibly do it for that long.

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What’s the best way to turn down a 2nd interview? During the 1st interview, I learned that the compensation for the role is not within the range that I am looking for and requires 400 more billable hours a year than what I bill now. I’d basically be laterally for my current salary just to bill 400 more hours. I also wasn’t aware that the local office was strictly ID. Firm website advertises lots of practice areas. Any advice? TIA!

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Any insight into Jackson Lewis NYC office? Compensation, billable hours, WLB? I would be a 2-3 year

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It’s been a hot minute. Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin Sauce (Keto). My pre-covid work clothes are now loose on me. I’ll have to buy a new work wardrobe wherever that may be. I quit my job and am back in school. Goodbye tax, goodbye busy seasons, goodbye billable hours.. 😁

Post Photo
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Trying to explain billable hrs to hubs. I billed 160 this month, which he said “is only 40 hr weeks” (true) - but how many hrs do you figure you “work” or are in the office to bill 150?

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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)

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Is there an appropriate way to turn down an assignment because it is non-billable? Two of the partners I work for keep asking me to write client bulletins and articles with them, which is great, but now I’m starting to worry about meeting my billable hours requirement.

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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?

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Where is the HCL office in Mumbai? Can anyone tell whats the process on onboarding/joining day?

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Hi Fishes,
Can anyone please refer me for
UBS have multiple job IDs with me.

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Hi All,

Hope you and your family is safe !

I am an US tax consultant specialised in Fiduciary Tax services. I am looking for a prep/review jobs in PwC. I am well versed in prep and review of 1041,1099, hedge fund K-1s, and additional tax returns required for a trust/estate.

Please let me know of any job opportunities in the firm.

Thanks in Advance :)

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Hi Fishers,

When does Walmart send a laptop after joining? I have joined this Monday. I still don’t have any updates about laptop.

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We're discussing the company holiday plan and it looks like my manager is going to pressure me to work on Thanksgiving this year. Late-stage capitalist america, now without holidays!

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Anything good I can spend Delta Skymiles besides airfare? (I’m not really planning on flying anywhere soon).

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Looking to return to singapore from the us. Spent the last 10 years consulting in the us - 4 with ibm and 6 with slalom. Any tips on which firms to target or avoid, based on prospects and culture?

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Anyone knows if Singapore trash collection separates waste into recyclables ? If not, how can we do it ourselves in sg?
I live in a condo FYI.

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any insight into the engagement manager role at AWS? Have my first call with the hiring manager this week. Would appreciate any insights on interview, loop, role etc!

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trying to make a move into FDD...any insight into how i should prepare, know, gain skills etc. for interview and networking!

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The most interesting research topic you've come across....?

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It's an exhausting time to be working in this industry, to say the least. How do you prevent taking your work home with you?

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Anyone have an iMac for WFH? If so, how do you like it?

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Did PwC increase their payscale in UAE?

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Additional Posts in Lawyers with ADHD

Monthly rant thread. Lots of firms with a fiscal year close of Oct 1, everyone racing to the finish line with billables.

Tell us about your hopes, your dreams, your struggles, your insecurities and what made you laugh lately.

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What tricks do you guys have to keep you focused for bursts of time? I feel like as soon as I start something, I go back and forth between it and whatever else pops into my mind. Any suggestions are welcomed.

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Has anyone figured out OneNote? I’m trying to get organized...again.

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New midlevel associate at a big law firm and still ramping up. I’m having a lot of trouble tackling small or discrete tasks that are either administrative in nature or otherwise because I don’t have a full plate and something to focus on. I feel bad stopping in the middle of the day and doing something else (e.g. watching tv)since I’m already not billing many hours, but my brain feels all over the place and think that may be the only solution. Anyone have exp. with this or advice?

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After 4 years I want to leave law because of my adhd! I have been to 4 different firms and at each place I feel like I have been “found out”. At every place at least one attorney catches me about my attention to detail. I am so down on myself now. I can’t bring myself to care about small details that I know don’t actually matter. Sitting at a desk all day in word documents is the ultimate form of torture to me. My strengths are talking to people. I am super outgoing. Looking for a new career

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I know I’ve seen a few similar posts before in the past, but do you guys have preferred/recommended apps to keep you organized and productive with work? I have my work calendar and synced through outlook on my phone, but just looking for suggestions to keep everything as organized as possible.

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One of my frustrations with myself (writing it out here so I can work on it) is that I will print out something that I need, such as a traffic collision report. I will read it without actually reading it. This results in spending time without actually retaining info. Does this happen to anyone else? I’ve found that I can actually focus when I truly force myself, but often this happens after I’ve discovered an error or an important piece of information that I should have noticed earlier.

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Has anyone used an ADHD /executive functioning coach? I’ve been on meds since I was 13, but am struggling more than I think I should be with basic things. Some of my poor habits have definitely caught up with me. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

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Anyone know of any body doubling apps? On my worst days, I wish I had someone to do this with.

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Are people still live on here? I was diagnosed last year with ADD and I’ve tried two stimulants so far. I know they aren’t meant to be a magic pill but I’m still struggling with general tasks and feel like I’m doing the bare minimum. The Nurse has suggested I try non stimulants. What are peoples experiences with meds ? Did they work or not?

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Can we pin a post with recommendations for professionals and therapists that you can trust in your geographic location? If so, I’ll start in the comments with my recommendation.

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Wondering if I should look into anxiety meds (or if I’m just a baby and need to get used to this life).

Have you tried any? Did it help? Affect your productivity? Which ones? tya!

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I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and just started medication treatment, and I didn’t realize something was missing this entire time. My brain finally feels so calm!!

Studying for the bar, and my first 2 years of practice exacerbated my symptoms so badly. I couldn’t keep up with the long hours at work! I feel like I have a fighting chance now!

likeuplifting

Started vyvance. I’m eating a lot, super hydrated, no caffeine and I still feel super weird. I’m calm and my brain feels great but physically my eyes are soo dry and my body just feels disassociated. It’s only been three days. Does this pass?

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I’m switching to Strattera (from Adderal XR) after some stories shared in this bowl, and some family members who have been really happy with it.

On my first full dose today and man the nausea is real. Understanding now why my doctor told me to split the dose into different parts of the day. Should have listened. 😅

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What are your strategies for completing work efficiently? How do you figure out how long projects should take? A consistent piece of feedback on my yearly reviews has been that I over-bill & spend too much time on assignments. It’s something I actively work on, but I still have no concrete sense of how long I should spend on basic tasks (e.g., drafting a motion to dismiss). My firm is right to expect that I manage my time better as a mid-level associate. WFH has made my time management worse.

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One of the things that my ADD coach helped me with was realizing that I wasn’t prioritizing activities that help me feel recharged. Between work and home responsibilities, I was just burnt out and overwhelmed.

So now when I start to get burned out I focus on reducing auditory overwhelm, getting outside, listen to music, get comfortable, read a fun book, etc.

As we’re heading into the weekend, what are some things you do to recharge and give yourself a break?

likesmart

Can anyone offer advice for helping with adderall side effects? I was diagnosed a few months ago and I am new to medication. I have been taking 20 mg xr in the morning but have a terrible crash around 2/3pm each day where I just get very very tired. Doctor recommended 10mg ir mid day to combat but I still experience pretty severe fatigue as a side effect. Just wondering if anyone has found any natural strategies to cope or mitigate. Thanks!

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Everything always takes me so long to do :/

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Does anyone have tips/methods for staying on top of all the little things? I’m in litigation and it’s a constant struggle to make sure I have accurate and up to date ‘bring ups’ and that I float anf rename all my emails and get all my time in and update my partner etc. like I can maybe get 1 or 2 but I’m never on top of everything and it’s so hard!

My partner now accepts and understands I am just going to have some organised chaos but also I want to make this little shit work for me!

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