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A mentor in my firm once said that ours doesn’t consider anyone for reduced hours until at least the 3rd year, so YMMV but hope that helps for reference. If I was in that position, I’d start by reviewing my firm’s policy, then possibly run through the conversation as practice with a mentor, then go to a partner in my group (either most senior if accessible, or another partner who would liase & advocate for me). But the language of your firm’s policy would direct as to who needs to sign off.
I am a 6th year lawyer and I am on reduced hours (1,350 a year). I took maternity leave and came back and waited a year before asking for reduced hours. I took the year to figure out how many hours I actually wanted/could work before going to the firm with my proposal. My firm is really lax though and didn’t talk to be about billing 100-120 hour months for almost a year straight. Be aware though that reduced hours are just that, reduced hours. You will still need to do some work every day to keep up with clients and deadlines. I love my arrangement and it is the perfect balance with my baby!
So many ppl will tell you that you can’t do it, it’s a career killer, and many other things. If you just understand the profession for what it is and understand there are no true “off” days, you will be fine!
I would not ask for reduced hours as a second year who isn’t even pregnant yet. Reduced hours are typically a retention strategy for senior attorneys, if your office views them as temporary arrangements that’s even more true.
The honest truth is that part time arrangements are often career killers. They’re stressful for everyone involved and not usually something that the firm is going to bother with for someone as easily replaced as a junior. Especially one who doesn’t have a kid yet.
Also wait until you know what works for you! I just disclosed my pregnancy to a female partner and she made a good comment to me that was basically: Remember your male colleagues never ask to be paid less to do basically the same amount of work or be viewed as less to the firm! You will figure out what works for you. Etc.
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It’s great to think about this but I’d hold off on actually asking anybody about this at least until your second trimester.
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My firm lets us opt in when we’re pregnant and after parental leave.