For drafting a stock purchase agreement for first few shots as a junior/mid level, how many billable hours spent are appropriate?

What do you put on your time sheet now that busy season is over and there’s no billable hours? Just training and admin?

I want to start a thread about important questions to ask before accepting a job offer. For example, before accepting a job offer I will generally respond to the offer asking the following questions:

1. Health insurance (insurer name, deductibles, my portion of the premium)
2. 401 K (company match?)
3. Bonus structure
4. Required billable hours
5. My office hours
6. Partnership track
7. Will I have an assistant/paralegal?
8. Will I have my own office?

Please add to this!

Does your firm require Pro Bono? If so, how many hours and is it counted towards your billable hours?

Ever been let go before your billable time entries were in? Was let go today and not all of my time made it in as it was due next week. I’m expecting a heavy payout but I’m wondering if they can withhold since my billables are not in? Seems like their loss at this point.

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

Busy season check - rate your happiness from 1 to 10 and your average billable hours per week (10 being like a rock star happy) 🤠

If you don’t have 8 hours of billable time a day, do you leave as is or do you fill in the gap with non-billable work? While I am in the office, I don’t always get the billable amount since I don’t have enough work. Seems like a waste of time to enter non-billable time just to fill in the gap but I also don’t want them to think I am not there and slacking off.

What’s the norm?

I have a question about mid-size Philadelphia law firms. Does anyone have any insight about what life is like (culture, pay, billable hours, cases, WFH, perks, etc.) as a junior partner/senior associate/of counsel in the litigation department at the following firms: Montgomery McCracken, Schnader Harrison, Stradley Ronon, Dilworth Paxson, Klehr Harrison?

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.

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?

Salary survey:

Base:
Years:
Number of attorneys:
Yearly billable requirements:
Bonus:

What should I look out for when leaving a state position to join a small firm as a junior attorney. What amount of billable hours are good for work life balance?

What's up everyone? I saw a salary survey posted earlier. What do y'all think I should make at a litigation boutique that handles primarily business litigation on a contingency fee? No billable hours.

Has anyone gone into compliance for a state university & hospital? As counsel or a compliance officer? Looking for insight how this compares to firm lifestyle & billable hours.

Anyone have any tips about Ward & Smith, specifically their Corporate M&A group? Billable hours, general culture, etc. Anything appreciated!

Is anyone experiencing a reduction of billable hours due to less assignments?

Paralegal in mid size practice. Other than staying current with CLE’s (I am). What’s the best way for me to increase my billable rate?

How long does it usually take for a firm to raise an associate’s billable rate?

Did the billable hours bonus not get paid out today? Or is it to be paid in the next check?

What are your average billable hours? Month / year? What type of practice are you in? Are you on the Cravath scale? What associate year?

Has anyone gone through a psych evaluation as a result of a DUI arrest being disclosed during visa stamping process?

Has anyone been able to interview at Verily or other Google healthcare ops? Super interested in the work they’re doing, but no clue how to apply or talk to a recruiter for that specific area.

Whitlows!!! Consultant heaven

Based in Chicago, junior associate looking to transition back to public health or health policy job. Would be happy going to govt or non-profit (or a private org doing that type of work). Have been applying to everything I can find but no traction yet. Anyone have any leads?

I need some interview tips, I have a virtual interview for another HR Manager position at a much larger company, in the email it said to dress for the position you are interviewing for. At my current company we are very casual Friday all week long as we are in the Non-Profit Arts Entertainment industry. Any suggestions would be appropriated.

FDD or >40 LMM Boutique IB?

I've applied and networked for my dream job and didn't get an interview this time. Also dissatisfied with compensation and some of the responsibilities at my current job but have a lot of opportunity to learn. So the question is do I stay where I'm not thrilled to be now because it's good experience to set me up for the dream job next time there's an opening, or do I leave now to an option that's better pay and more interesting but farther off the path towards my long term goal?

Just started a new Data Analyst position in which I have constant meetings with senior leadership and executives. I have a bad habit of giving too much background info and not getting straight to the point. I just feel like every little detail is important (even though that’s not always the case). Any tips for breaking this habit or just become more efficient with advising?

Dating a guy who won’t give me a tight hug because he claims to be a “southern gentleman”. Wtf

How much does a Senior IT Auditor get paid at a HCOL city? And what is your No. of experience.

Do you name clients in interviews when asked specific questions about your experience?

I am open for a new role in the San Antonio, Texas area. I spent 18 years with the federal government as a GS 13 focused on process improvement and project management 

Looking to ask for a transfer to USI from US in 2 months. Anyone gone through this and willing to share their experience ?

I loved this woman. We kinda ended up falling apart, i really miss her. Making some effort and talking might resolve and we could get back together. She said we can give another shot. Pros: she is a good person, cute, smart. Cons: temper issues, big spender and money management issues. I couldn’t move on but couldn’t make a decision. Any advise is appreciated.

I have an interview with Forvis tomorrow. Has anyone recently interviewed there or have any tips? Thanks!

Any guesses on deal flow for the next few months? It’s been crazy recently but how long will it continue?

Question to all International people here:
My OPT expires mid June 2018. JWT has applied for my H1B but since it's based on lottery, I won't rely on that too much. (Cont)

Mid term career direction: due to connections I know of an ID firm with an actually good reputation that is planning to open an office in my market within the next year. I’m currently doing ID and will eventually leave it. BUT if the opportunity arises to get on the ground floor and help establish a new office is it worth taking the opportunity? That looks good professionally right?

I'm convinced our PE clients are the biggest psychopaths on the planet.

One partner is driving me insane. I CANNOT work with him. We are far enough in the case that it would take a lot of time for someone to take over for me but still early enough that the case will be going for another 2 years. Has anyone ever asked to be pulled from a case and is there a way to distance myself from this partner without hurting my reputation? 2nd year lit associate, partner is a jr partner in a different office but we cross staff a lot. TIA!

I’m a bit afraid of jumping on the “hot market” lateral gravy train and be the first one to be let go when things cool down. Am I overthinking this?

I’m a corporate first year doing mostly doc review / diligence. I understand that this is the norm, but I don’t feel like I’m growing at all. What steps can I take to ensure that I learn marketable skills / knowledge?

If you don’t have 8 hours of billable time a day, do you leave as is or do you fill in the gap with non-billable work? While I am in the office, I don’t always get the billable amount since I don’t have enough work. Seems like a waste of time to enter non-billable time just to fill in the gap but I also don’t want them to think I am not there and slacking off.

What’s the norm?

Anyone here who considered/worked in consulting (MBB/T2) before law school? What was the reason you decided to commit to the law route given fairly similar pay yet arguably better WLB, exit ops, and more stimulating work?

This one’s for the boys. Where do we get our suits?

Just me or is M&A picking up (in August of all months…) 😭

22 year old considering law school / a potential career in law. The contents of this bowl tend to be pretty disheartening :( Anyone here who really loves the work? Who has found decent work life balance? In your experience, are there alternatives to big law that are stimulating, decently well-paying, but not quite so onerous?

My lady is a consultant and needs her team to turn the deck by EOD today so her and upper management can work this weekend on it. The young associate said, when is EOD bc technically the day has already ended (at 5pm).

😂😂😂 bless her little junior heart. As my old boss said, there are 24 hours in a day.

Sad truth …

Anyone ever have success in negotiating for lower hours during a lateral move?

Is there a cut-off date for when laterals have to start at a new firm in order to still get a year-end bonus?

What v50 firms do you think will not match?

How bad is it at Gunderson? Isn’t 30 associates a large amount for them to layoff as they aren’t that big? Do we think layoffs will hit other firms like Fenwick, Wilson Sonsini, Goodwin etc? Crazy how things have changed in Bay Area…

Ladies in BL - how much do you spend on clothes/shoes every month?

I would appreciate hearing from anyone at Patterson Belknap, especially the tax group, about their experience and insights. I wonder how different (if at all) the work itself, work/life balance, comp, and other aspects are there, compared to a typical big law experience… many thanks in advance!

Associate at a regional big law firm in area where market has been impacted significantly by the recent salary bumps other firms have given to their associates in smaller offices. Our firm announced last week they would be providing market bumps for all associates but that only those associates who were “on pace” to bill their hours for the year by June 30 would qualify for the bump. Am I justified in feeling like this is completely ridiculous?

For those who work in black box comp big law - how do your firms adjust when the market raises the typical scale? Do you get a bigger raise at reviews or do they do an adjustment eventually?

Firms that aren't sweatshops for Cap Markets?

Is Cooley a sweatshop?