Got my bonus letter today and I genuinely have no idea how they calculated it. No metrics, no rubric, just a number and a vague appreciate your contributions note. It’s frustrating working in a profession obsessed with precision but allergic to compensation transparency. I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I’d like to understand how my work translates into dollars. How do you ask for clarity without sounding like you’re disputing it?

Uber Eats Wrapped. A summary of all the stress eating you did while working from home…

Any recommendations for RPA stocks?

Just got staffed on a project in London. Any major differences from American business fashion I should be aware of?

I am done trying to pretend everything is fine at work. The higher ups on the team kept asking if I’m doing anything fun for the weekend during video calls. I felt the pressure to make something up but I just can’t. I’ve been struggling with depression, loneliness, anxiety with immigration and the fact that I might be out of work soon cuz my visa is expiring. I’m thousands of miles away from my family and I just want everything to stop. But when my manager kept asking in front of everyone am I

Moving to another country soon, any tips on how to prioritize stuff when packing? Gonna take 2 check -in and 1 hand luggage

I just heard recently that if you refinance and your house appraises at 20% more than the amount owed, you can remove PMI. Is this correct? Getting a divorce and trying to keep the house but moving from a VA to a traditional loan and would rather not pay PMI if I don’t have to. House was purchased for $460k no money down (VA loan), refinanced at $450k to lower payments $400/month, now have $430k left on the loan... would it have to appraise for $516k?

How much does ibm give in glasglow onsite to 7A ?

We’re planning to be in Kauai for a week in mid-December, but I’m thinking of extending the trip an extra 10 days. Would we have enough to do with a 4yo in tow? Or maybe not worth it to stay that long? Staying at the Grand Hyatt first week, then downgrade to Sheraton Coconut Beach.

1040 help.. if I own two homes and loan amounts add up to over 750k, and mortgage interest deduction is limited, can I choose to report only one mortgage (and ignore the other 1098)? Using turbo tax but numbers are not making sense to me.. we bought a new home near end of 2021

Anybody worried about the market?

Hair salon recommendations?? Don’t want to spend too much money, preferably <$80!

If someone goes to Dubai as a third party contracter for job, is it still possible to get a job in India and come back.?

Do you think crime in Nashville is worse than in other cities? I don't frankly, not sure where all the "this town is going to pot" people are getting their information. I love living here and have never had any problems.

I know it is not fashion related, but do you guys have any recommendations on ergonomic chair to buy for home office? Been dealing with some lower back pain while working/studying from home

Interviewing as a senior 1 position at EY advisory in the Washington DC area. How much should I expect to get salary wise?

I am so beyond ready to leave my current job, but can’t yet, since bonuses are paid out in January. 😬

In the meantime, I’ve applied to a lot of similar roles (slightly higher) but have not heard - good or bad - from any. Is it common for companies to slow down hiring in December because of Q4 rush, people on holiday, etc.?

Probably a foolish question: are bonuses based off of raw billable hours or billable hours modified by the partners?

I went through all the stages of interviewing with a firm then they chose not to fill the position. They said internal priorities changed. I saw about 5 months later they posted a similar position. Guess who has another interview!

How long is acceptable to ask to decide on an offer, especially when another place you really want to work at is moving a bit slower? I know this question has been asked before but I feel like 2022 has been its own beast in the legal market and would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Career Sabbatical?

Can anyone who has taken a career sabbatical to travel/explore other interests share their experience with both leaving their jobs and returning to the legal field?
I really want to live in Asia for a year at least before I have to settle down and start a family. I’m not getting younger but don’t want to be reckless with my career.

Does anyone work in a very volume based area of law (i.e. insurance defense, workers comp) but have partners who are perfectionists to an absurd degree? How do you manage to get your billing in when everything always has to be revised?

Do anyone know any legal admins or paralegals looking for contract/part-time work in California?

What is everyone’s: (1) billable hours this year; (2) practice group; (3) year; and (4) size of law firm?

I'm a third year plaintiff's employment law attorney and I'm looking to move to defense, preferably still in employment law. I received an offer from a midsize firm that primarily focuses on PI with little-to-no employment law practice, so I'll have a bit of a learning curve. Offer is $90k, billable hours of 2100. Is this reasonable? I'm dead-set on leaving my current job, and this would be a $20k pay increase - which makes me believe I'm leaning towards taking it for those reasons only.

What do partners generally expect from third-year litigation associates (smaller firm) as far as legal, professional, and/or case management skills go?
I still feel like I can’t (or don’t know how to) manage or push cases forward and like I’m constantly behind on everything—is this normal?

Does anyone know the starting salary for Jackson Lewis in the firm's Connecticut office, as well as the billable hours requirement?

Last associates committee meeting is coming up. Partners have asked each associate to come up with... not one... but FIVE marketing ideas. Other than reeling out “we offer competitive pay” in job postings, what are some good ones your firm does?

I’m struggling a bit. If I knew how to market well, I certainly wouldn’t be in this position.

I have a second interview tomorrow. I already spoke with the partners and now I’ll be speaking with some associates. Any tips on what I should discuss and what questions should I ask?

Brand new baby lawyer dumb question - I am tasked with drafting response to request to produce. How long should this take? And follow up… how do I bill this?

I’m on the Board of entity A (volunteer basis) and I’ll have an interview for a legal counsel position at entity B. Entity A and B have a partnership such that me working for entity B will create conflict of interest. Should I disclose my relationship with entity A during the initial interview with entity B’s hiring manager? If so, what should I say? I don’t want my volunteer job at entity A potentially jeopardizes my full-time job at entity B.

I want to get out of ID so badly. I don’t mind the work but the hours are just killing me. I just started at a new firm less than 6 months ago and I am already desperate to get out. It is not the firm or the people. I just hate the high billables. I have been applying to other jobs but I think I may need a recruiter for help. Any recommendation for a great recruiter in NYC?

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!

California 🐟 does your vacation payout when you leave your job get taxed at regular wage, or bonus, levels? Does your employer have discretion to choose?

How long did you have to wait from last round interview until offer? (Public sector)

I am traveling out of town for callback interviews. One firm wants me to commit a full day of interviews. Would it be reasonable to ask for a half day so I can fit 2 callbacks in the same day?

How many billable hours per week is considered at capacity? I’m getting pushback on boundaries I’m setting about additional matters and marketing work from my firm when I’ve been billing 60-75 hours per week for the last 6 weeks, and I’m still behind on my work. I feel like it’s reasonable to not kill myself further to fit in more/turn things around faster at this point, but am I being unreasonable? I expect my workload to remain at this level through the end of the year at least.