How does your law firm handle jury duty for associates? I’m a civil litigator and got called to serve on one week murder trial back in January. I tired to get out of it for various personal reasons but I was still stuck on the jury) Lost 40+ hrs of billable hours that week, and now in December I’ll probably finish the year 60 ish hours short of my 2000 hr target!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Do whatever you can to get 20 extra hours in December so you can say you only missed by 40 and you missed 40 bc of mandatory jury duty out of your control. Agree with the comment above to definitely raise with your bosses before bonus decisions are made. Is your average for rest of the year about 40/week? Mention accordingly. If you didn’t take any/much PTO this year, mention that as well. For getting the extra 20 hours, you might want to specifically tell your bosses you really want to make sure you get your bonus this year and volunteer to work weekends etc just this month, they’ll appreciate/respect the hustle. You can knock out 20 in one weekend.

like

We are all past running on fumes at this point

No special treatment here. Just like any other absence. But it might be worth mentioning to your superiors!

like

Related Posts

How is productivity measured for in-house attorneys? Is there any analog of billable hours for in-house lawyers?

like

It’s hard to trust the partners/leadership when they want us to return to office as being better when we increase offshoring? Also, the pressure on billable hours when all that really matters is how much our fixed labor costs vs. how much we can bill (which is usually fixed fee or at least a range) and the fixed labor costs of offshoring is significantly cheaper so the hours don’t matter. Am I mistaken by this viewpoint?

like

Is there an appropriate way to turn down an assignment because it is non-billable? Two of the partners I work for keep asking me to write client bulletins and articles with them, which is great, but now I’m starting to worry about meeting my billable hours requirement.

like

Alston & Bird LLP Does anyone have any insight into associate pay, bonuses, min billable hours, and general work/life balance at Alston & Bird LLP? (DC Office)

like

Does anyone have experience working for a ALSP? How does compensation work (pay and benefits)? Are you an employee or technically an IC? Do you have billable requirements like at a firm? How do you think it prepared you to potentially move in house? I'm currently at a firm but thinking of taking a position with an ALSP but my goal is to go in house.

like

3.5 years out of school, 2400 billable hours last year in TRS and just got promoted. what kind of year end compensation should I be expecting? Bonus and new salary

like

I currently work at a medium sized firm and have about two years experience in personal injury litigation. The billable hours and lack of work life balance are really getting to me and I am looking to switch to something else out of litigation, preferably in house. I am also looking to relocate to a different state. How do I go about properly marketing myself to companies that might not take my relocation and minimal experience seriously?

like

Doing a federal clerkship and thinking of my options after. Anyone in NJ/NY/PA biglaw lit group with collegial and pleasant work environment? I do not care about billable requirements/workload, just salary and don’t want to be treated like shit.

like

If you are a first year in a stub year, and significantly under billable hours requirement, do firms typically still give pro rated bonus? Do first year stub associates really ever hit their pro rated hours in those 2-3 months?

like

What are firm’s known billable requirements? Is there a ramp up period?

Recently lateraled as a public defender in HCOL area to ID in LCOL area for $$$. I’ve been at the job a little over a month. My concerns are that I’m getting very little guidance or mentorship, and I’m worried about not hitting billable hours (2000 requirement but I am just over 80 for the first month). I am only in charge of a ~5 cases atm and struggle with figuring out the next steps, etc. I’ve met all my deadlines that have come up. Thoughts or advice?

like

How many billable hours in a month does it take for you to think you are billing a lot?

like

Are any other paralegals struggling with billable hour requirements? I have 5 years of experience in corporate transactions, M&A, and real estate work, and have never had billable hour requirements. I'm in a new job now where I do and I'm nowhere near meeting them. I'm getting a lot more admin work than billable work, and it's stressing me out.

like

Have any of you taken "low bono" clients while working at a firm? I want to take on a low bono client or two but not sure who would get the money. This is a contract opportunity through a non profit so I'm assuming a 1099 will be issued. The per hour rate is significantly less than my billable rate. I would (obviously) like the money but my real objective is just getting experience/networking since I recently moved to a new state and don't have clients of my own.

like

Any insight into Jackson Lewis NYC office? Compensation, billable hours, WLB? I would be a 2-3 year

like

How do firms give bonuses to associate attorneys? Quarterly, monthly, annually? What is a bonus based on? Money recieved, billable hours, etc?

I'm looking to set up a bonus structure for a new associate.

like

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

like

To the post below- it is quiet, so I’ll bite!
Does anyone know about associate compensation at the regional Atlantic Canada firms? The the big ones have all been posting job ads for associates in the 3-5 year range. Any insight on salary and billable targets?

I heard so much about minimum billable hours here by staff. I never saw that email. Is it inly for certain groups?

Weber folks! At what point do you become eligible for a yearly bonus and how is your bonus determined? Any tie to billable hours?

like

More Posts

like

How much do principals at IQVIA make?

like

Looking to pivot out of a top pharma marketing/ad agency and into consulting. Ultimately want to leverage both experiences to move client side or to a healthcare start up.

What are the best firms for this type of transition and why?

like

Do you keep offering circulars/memoranda from a financial printer when you leave a firm? I have a few (some private, some public) and I’m not sure what to do with them.

like

“It turns out that wealth does trickle down, you just have to make them bleed first”

I guess they didn’t like bleeding so they’re trying to manipulate the markets in their favor AGAIN.

Post Photo
like

I applied for a job and received an offer from my client. 15k+ bump in salary, better benefits/remote work, and responsibilities will give me exposure to all areas of the organization (start up). The problem is that they’re looking to staff me as a Senior when I’m currently a Manager at DT. They said they’re flexible on title, but curious to hear how others have navigated similar situations. I would report directly to the controller and have 1-2 staff reporting to me...

like

What to say during an exit interview? Do you exactly tell them why you’re leaving?

like

Who has the best M&A Tax Practice ?

like

What will be the take home salary for 14L package?

Hey All...

I am planning to change my profession from fixed asset accounting to Business Analyst...

Is this wise decision?!!!

like

If job posting pay was $36.66 hourly (no range) what would be an acceptable offer and counter offer?

like

Hi Guys Deloitte Accenture Infosys I joined a startup 5years back they gave me salary as cash for starting few months because there company not registered after that they Deposit to my A/C, Now third party agency asking me to submit bank statement for starting month . I don't have form 16 OR PF . I worked there around 2years.


Now how to proof?

M/Boston. I’m 49 so apparently it looks like my last year in this bowl…

likefunny

In IBM GBS project, cab is available for manyata tech park?

Any public accounting firms in Albuquerque?

like

Hi Folks, Got an Offer from Qualcomm for Software Engineer role, wanted to know how are stock refreshers and bonus and appraisal at year end ?

like

Continue to wear masks people!

likehelpful

Has anyone here appeared for Cognizant Hackerrank assessment for Java, Microservices and Spring boot ? If yes, can you help me with the level of questions and the pattern for this exam.
Thankyou..

like
like

Hi!

I recently did a job interview and I made it clear to the HR my expectation salary is 60k a year, non negotiable.
Today I got the job offer and they are offering me 54k. My current company is making me 50k with tons of benefits which is why I am asking for 60k.

Should I accept the offer or renegotiate?

like

Additional Posts in Law

Do any of the big L&E firms have a WFH policy?

like

Took a role out of desperation and it was a big mistake. The firm was toxic and crazy revolving door. After only a few months I was fired "for cause" even though no cause was actually given. Is this the end of my career?

like

2nd year junior attorney applying to new positions in the Southern California area. Every firm that’s called me to interview are smaller firms with salary ranges of 80-90k. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong — I have had multiple people review my resume, cover letters, etc. It seems like it’s a decently hot market, and I’m just out here getting frustrated.

like

Wondering if legal tech is legit or all hype

like

BILLABLE v. SALARY BASED.... pros and cons? I’ve never worked at a firm that has billing requirements, I’ve always been salary based, but I’m interested to know what your experiences have been!

like

Procedural question. I represent a hospital. Codefendant is a company that manufactures breast implants. Case was venued in NY state Supreme Court. Manufacturer defendant transferred case to MDL (we hadn’t answered yet). Plaintiff gave me stip of discontinuance with prejudice but now since case was removed I am unsure how to proceed. Do I file the stip in state court still? Does MDL have jurisdiction over the hospital? Can a hospital even be part of a MDL lawsuit? Very confused! Thank you!!!

like

Anyone familiar with Opportunity Zone Businesses? I have a very basic question that I cannot find the answer to no matter how much I search. If you’re informed on this, I would like to shoot my question to you here or offline in a direct message. Thanks!

like

Feel like I just bombed my first arbitration. Partner was sitting in and then called me after to provide feedback 👻Please give me your first arb horror story to validate my feelings. Thx

like

Do you keep offering circulars/memoranda from a financial printer when you leave a firm? I have a few (some private, some public) and I’m not sure what to do with them.

like

Terrified of lateraling as a 5th year. I feel like I might know less that what my new firm thinks I know. It’s a great firm and a superlative practice group. I went through 12 partner interviews in 4 rounds and am both excited and scared. 3 weeks until I start. Any tips?

like

So the feeling that you’re forgetting something important because you have so much on your plate…that never goes away right?

like

Is there an appropriate way to turn down an assignment because it is non-billable? Two of the partners I work for keep asking me to write client bulletins and articles with them, which is great, but now I’m starting to worry about meeting my billable hours requirement.

like

At an ID firm, but doing 30% ID, and the rest is appellate work + appellate work in a different area of law. Team is amazing—well known people in the legal community. I love appellate work, want to be a state ct appellate judge ultimately. But I’m scared I’m locking myself into ID. What should I do?

like

I have an interview for an in house position (only attorney) at a small non-profit focused on conservation easements. I am a transactional associate at a mid sized law firm. The prospect of freedom from the billable hour and contributing to meaningful work are the draws. The cons are that while the salary at the non-profit would only be slightly less than what I am making now, pay increases and opportunities for advancement will be much less than where I am now. Thoughts on making the shift?

like

I have a promising interview at a relatively large law firm in my area (+100 attorneys) next week. The position is for a transactional role in their real estate practice group, and they are seeking someone with at least 2 YOE. I have a bit over 7 YOE with a strong real estate/commercial lit. background. Over the past two years in my current position, I've been doing a lot more transactional work. The split is around 50% transactional and 50% lit.

(Continued below)

like

Any advise for wrist pinch pain? (Not looking for the surgery route). I also have an ergonomic keyboard.

like

Alston & Bird LLP Does anyone have any insight into associate pay, bonuses, min billable hours, and general work/life balance at Alston & Bird LLP? (DC Office)

like

I have a lot of mindless closing binder assembly today so I’ve been watching Restrepo and Korengal in the background. It.... really puts things in perspective. I feel like such a baby for complaining about long hours or stressing over emails.

like

Question about pre-marking trial exhibits in federal court ((more below))

like

What would you say is the difference between a billable hour target vs. minimum? I feel like some firms boast about not having a “minimum” but the expectation is that you to exceed this target which just makes it a minimum.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal