Has anyone ever gone part time at a big law firm, and how did you do it? I just had my first baby and have no desire to go back to a full time big law schedule, but still want/need to work. I’ve never had any aspirations to be a partner, so it wouldn’t bother me to be taken off of the partner track.

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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.

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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.

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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.

helpful

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.

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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.

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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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