Related Posts
Hey fishes, please help me out on which company to join.
YOE - 2.5
Stack - Java, Springboot, API development
Offers - TCS (14 lpa), T-systems (14 lpa)
I’m looking for good wlb, good office culture but also steady growth and learning in terms of technical stack. Please provide suggestions.
T-Systems International Tata Consultancy
More Posts
Dear Fishes,
I have taken 4 technical and 1 manager(final round) round in company A and currently awaiting their response.Company A entire process took 5 months.
In between I got an offer from company B and currently serving notice.
Can I inform Company A about serving notice period?
Can you help taking this decision.
I work as a DBA
Salary range of Associate Consultant in KPMG?
3/29 Thread (General):
Additional Posts in Law
New to Fishbowl?
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.



I had a similar experience in my first year bc the other two associates in my class year left a few months in and I got hit with that 2400 life. Just remember it won’t always be like that. Talk to your mentor and see if any associates might want to take some stuff off your plate. I guarantee there are a few first years who are chilling at the minimum and wish they had more
Hahahaha. Yep.
Honestly I don't know how anyone works at firms like that. We aim for about 140 hours per month of billable time. Why these firms kill people is beyond me. Plus we are moving to fixed fees. smh. Personally if you don't like a 2000+ hour pace, I'd say hang in there at least a year, but look for other options.
Shareholder 1 you’ve got to tell us what area you practice in
The worst period of my work life was the last three years before I made partner, when I was averaging 2200 of like... not doc review. It triggered a latent autoimmune disorder and now I’m dealing with that. If you’re already feeling burned out after the first year, I’d recommend learning to say no (or switching to a firm where you feel like you can actually say no) before it costs you your health (or your ability to eat dairy and gluten, ugh).
Not all billable hours are created equal. A 200-hour month of “not doc review” can be so taxing.
Hit your target then ghost. It'll really take the pressure off by fall.
Pro
How do you bill that much as a first year lit associate? Is it all doc review?
these are not unusual hours for a junior lit associate at a busy practice: 2400/yr = 200/month = 50/wk. And if you’re on busy matters, that’s not hard to hit.
Chief
If I was a client and found out a first year working on my stuff was billing 2400 plus without being on trial, I would immediately assume I was being defrauded or that the quality of work is slipping. Unless there’s a steady flow of adderal coursing through your veins, I can’t even imagine doing a decent job researching and writing on all assignments at a 2400 plus a year pace - not even in my 20s when i had probably 15x more energy and ambition than I do now. That’s not a sustainable pace I don’t care what anyone says. Anyone who says otherwise is a psychopath or perpetrating billing fraud. Don’t listen to them. Set some limits or get out.
Chief
Corporate or Lit?
I guess looking back I was always thankful to be busy, but sometimes I was working way too many hours. During the first few years it’s all about distinguishing yourself if that is something you want to do. If big firm life is not your long term plan, try and use the time to learn as much as you can about as many things as you can while you map out where you want your law degree to take you. I remember reflecting long ago that after several years I became an expert in many topics by virtue of being immersed in so many different things.
I will also point out that even if you’re in litigation, find ways to ultimately get exposure on the transactional side. Trust me, it will help. But most of all, find some place to work where you don’t dread going to work, but rather are excited about what the day might bring!
what’s your work vs bill ratio? because 4, 200-hour billable months in a row shouldn’t have you that worn out unless you’re writing down/taking much longer to get to those hours.
Plus there’s the whole “being treated with respect and courtesy by one’s coworkers instead of constantly quaking in fear of not making partner and being asked to leave.” Like I said, I didn’t leave because of law firm hours.