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I did. It definitely takes you off track (I reduced my schedule after making partner and I still feel like I hit a wall in terms of growth here). That being said, it bought me several sustainable years in big law and I don't think I would ever go back full time in big law. My firm is making it harder for people to reduce their schedules so if you can do it, I think it's worth trying. You can ask to do it for a few months to decide if you want to do it long term.
If you search this bowl for the term "reduced schedule" you'll see a lot of conversations about this. Pregnancy and childcare are pretty popular topics here.
Rising Star
Yes, this question is asked all the time. There are tons of PT parents in Big Law. Switch to counsel and ask for like a 75% schedule, and expressly negotiate that this means your typical working hours are 9-4 or whatever.
There’s part time and then there’s “reduced schedule” which can be 90%, 80% or whatever you come up with. Can be a consideration if you think people will respect it. It means you work 80% of the billable requirement and get 80% base pay and 80% of a bonus if you get one. So it’s calculable math before you make the decision. You can calculate what’s the lowest you can take and still be “full time but on a reduced schedule” and thus get the full time benefits.
I’m on 70% at my firm. In my experience (midlevel litigation, about a year post-leave) it’s not consistent across the year which is annoying but expected given the work. As an example, I came back and it was even and worked but now have four trials on calendar this year (abnormal for me) so definitely above 70%. I think the biggest help has been the emotional relief knowing that I can have 2 hr days and not be stressed about needing to make it up. If I need to take my kid to the doctor or our nanny calls out, workflow permitting, it doesn’t impact me making hours. There isn’t a downside for me because if I go 5% or more over my hours expectation, then I get trued-up. Lower hours expectation also kind of lets me be more selective about what matters I take on too.
I work a reduced schedule of 1,350 and I love it. It gets challenging when cases get close to trial and I still have the normal ebb and flow of litigation. I hate my life occasionally when I’m on the eve of trial and don’t have enough childcare but I like it
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