Had a conversation with opposing counsel and he talked about how he was looking to add an attorney to his firm. The talk progressed to me showing interest and I thought he did as well, and he asked me to send a resume. I sent it to him the very day he was leaving for a 3-week vacation. That was 3 weeks ago, and literally no response. Not even an acknowledgement of the email. I know he’s been working while on vacation, because he’s been working on our case together. Should I follow up?

Thoughts on unlimited PTO?

Do you drink at holiday parties? This is the first company I've worked for that does a real holiday party and I'm kind of anxious about letting my guard down around my co-workers like that...

hiya fishes. happy friday! sorry if this isnt the right bowl, but this is in regards to vacation time. i have an interview process starting next week, and wondering when it would be good to mention i would be OOO between the middle of the month in september? its for a week. im unsure if i can twist this to have a start date once im back. going back and forth on being transparent vs. mentioning it later on. thoughts?

If buy the partners you work with regularly a holiday gift, how much do you spend? Usually I get baked goods or food items which you can’t tell the actual amount spent on. This year, though, I’d like to support local restaurants by encouraging people to order takeout—hence, giving gift cards.

How much is appropriate for a restaurant gift card from an associate to a partner?

Anybody have to take time off for long-covid? How has your HR handled it? I feel like any info I have gotten on FMLA and disability is because I’ve brought it up and have had to follow up multiple times.

How do you survive on a PhD stipend knowing it’ll be years before you can afford luxuries like a vacation or brand-name ice cream?

Is it normal to feel numb around the holidays? I'm tired, dealing with seasonal affective disorder and a really tough caseload right now. Not in the holiday spirit at all and honestly don't even want to be, I just want to spend the weekend resting. Is it bad that I don't care about it at all this year?

26F, born and raised in the Midwest, Indian American, Sunni, constantly counting days till my next vacation, non-Hijabi/dress modestly/don't drink/don't smoke/pray 5x (may be late on some)

A partner just walked from his office. By passed 4 or 5 people who are generally more knowledgeable on our banking logistics straight to the only black support staff employee to@ask if today is a bank holiday.

Hey Boschlers,
Is tomorrow holiday??

Do you work the holidays into your lesson plans this time of year? Or is it too much of a distraction from your routine? Teaching a SPED music class this year and the students have finally *mostly* become comfortable in the room and with the instruments + noise. We usually work on the same songs each week for one month, but I'm thinking of switching it up and doing Christmas/Holiday songs next week as a send off into break. I work with mostly autistic students.

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.?

Has anyone been told they need 25% down for a vacation home?

Looking at full-time and application asks for expected salary and then expected total compensation as a number. How should I figure out the second? Health insurance, bonuses, life insurance, equity, PTO? I studied art, not math.

How many PTO/Vacation days do you usually take off a year if your employer offers unlimited PTO/Vacation days?

I just started a new job and this is the first time I’ve ran into this. It sounds nice but at the same time I hate the lack of direction. Help!

I’m about to graduate in May, looking to start out a big agency (Ogilvy, Starcom, Edelman etc.) and I have my sights set later in my career to work in new business. What stepping stones can I take?

Has Pfizer done away with Assoc. Director roles in favor of Sr. Manager roles?

Anybody in Frankfurt Germany hiring non German speakers?

🔥MARCH JOB THREAD!

Do you know of an opening or opportunity?

Please drop it in the comments below, help another Fish!

Hi Fishes,

I have been offered an on-site opportunity for Toronto, Canada. What should be the decent yearly pay in Canadian dollars that I should ask for ? I have around 6.5 yrs of experience.

Dear legal recruiters who used to work as attorneys: are you glad you made the switch? I think recruiting could be fun but I know how much I ignore recruiter emails daily so it makes me think it’s touch to place people and make a consistent income. Thoughts?

How long is it taking currently for a i797 receipt to come through from USCIS for H1 transfer under premium processing?

How’s it going? Any good pitches or wins last couple weeks? We are a prod co and feel a lot busier! Prepping a big shoot and bidding jumped up a lot.

How much MDs (level 4) make in Canada?

Hey friends. Recently joined a startup with a heavy reliance on outbound sales strategy. Without a phone number... what are some of your best ways to get meetings booked with prospects?

Our product sells itself, but how do you set yourself apart to get the initial meeting booked?
What mediums do you use with cold outreach that you find most effective?
What copy have you found gets the best ppen/reply rate?

I am not a sales PRO, but I'm also not a newbie. Really just looking for a think-tank.

Blockchain - is anyone actually working on a real Blockchain project or is it just concept selling at this time?

I know money is relative but at what stage in your career did you start making and saving the big money (saving much more than you could spend)? I am not a big spender but....

Any tips to manage third party vendors and their employees from a contractual point of view to make sure they deliver well.

My American citizen 8 month old is on tourist visa in India; current stay runs out on June 7. Flying outside the country is a risk we don’t want to take w/COVID. Don’t want to overstay the visa either. So we applied online on eFRRO to convert his visa to X-1 so we can apply for his OCI. They didn’t ask for payment and message popped up saying watch your text/email for next steps. Anything else I can do?

Hi All,

I'm facing error as "employee ID is not available in BGSW user list" while registering in associate arena app.

Please let me know how to fix this error.

Thanks in Advance.

Hey hi fishes, I am looking for a new job in Computer Vision domain. I have 3+ YOE in the same. Can someone refer me if possible?

Rising 2L here…Just found out yesterday that one of my top target law firms is not participating in OCIs (they don’t have offices in my state). Any advice on the best way to move forward with them? Still planning to apply, just want to know what I should be doing. Thanks!

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

Has anyone taken  ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS)? Any comments/ reviews? How has it enhanced your employability? Why did you take the CGSS?

How hard is the path from lit to GC?

Does anyone else work as in-house for government? Local? Provincial/State? Federal?

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.

What is a typical starting rate that young attorneys charge for per diem side work? First or second year lawyers should ask for what? Client is a big firm.

Orally accepted a job offer that I’m excited about, but have another interview this week for a different job. I didn’t realize the first offer would come so quickly! Should I cancel the interview this week or go through with it? Small legal community- people talk.

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?

What is the expectation at your firms about coming into work after making your billable hours requirement? Asking especially for those who do not get a bonus per extra hour billed over the minimum.

Anyone have any affordable case management software recommendations? I’m looking for something a bit non-traditional as I work for a small nonprofit. Ideally the software would involve document organization/access as well as like a running “log” for folks to post relevant events or work completed for the file.

Hi new here. Idk what my value is and if I’m getting paid an amount that reflects my hard work. I am a paralegal for a small law firm (family and immigration) w only 1 attorney. I have about 20 files or more in my rotation at a time. I work on various types of cases at once. Some are simple, others are extensive. I feel like it’s very unstructured and one of the managers micromanages. It’s like every man for himself. Take home pay is $50k. I am working on my bachelors deg. Do I get paid enough?

When lateraling to another defense firm, is it necessary to show billable hours at current firm?

I'm a junior associate. A couple people have left my small firm and I'm now the lone associate at our main office. I've now been told I am "temporary senior associate or permanent or partner whatever that results in." Please send help. I'm just a baby attorney still.

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.

Second year associate here who recently switched from litigation to corporate law. I am absolutely swamped while simultaneously having no idea what I’m doing ever and I’m feeling so burnt out. The partners are pretty great and feedback is constructive which I’m grateful for, but I’m so desperate for a compliment I’ve been saving any scrap of positivity in a folder 😭 it’s December 22 and I haven’t done my Christmas shopping because I don’t feel capable of thinking about it. I need a hug.

Anyone know when Ch. 7 BKs must close by? Is this changed by when there are adversary proceedings (alleged fraudulent transfers made to a bank for CC payments)? Asking for my friend who is unfortunately involved bc of his parents, who are the debtors (he isn’t a defendant or a debtor in this, but the payments were made to a CC in his name—a CC he didnt know was opened in his name).

Its in Texas, and the initial BK filing was made about 23 months ago. TIA!

Those who are voluntarily returning to the office — how often are you going and what days seem to work for you? Looking to slowly incorporate a few days here and there for change of scenery etc. — will add there is no pressure to do so (yet).

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!