I’m a stub year associate that has gotten very very slow (~1-4 billable hours a day). I’ve been doing some pro bono here and there. I’m staffed on a couple deals looking to sign in January but nothing with year-end/Christmas deadlines. Stay quiet or reach out for work? Would prefer not to have my holiday blown up, but also don’t want to give off the impression that I’m actively dodging work.

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Ultimately depends on firm/practice group culture, but generally speaking I don't think you'd be viewed as dodging work as long as you are saying yes to anything that comes across your desk. But, there are some practice groups that expect associates to raise their hand when they are slow. Additionally, consistent underbilling is noticed by the partners, and some will not hesitate to make assumptions about the quality of your work based on your hours alone. That said, that kind of a judgment is usually based on months, not weeks, of time reporting, and is measured against your peers (i.e., if you are consistently super low as against other first years in your group).

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Seriously, chill.

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I’ve been at two firms that have approached first-years (within the first couple of months) about not actively seeking work. I think it just totally depends on the practice group/firm. With some groups, it just takes time to start getting a steady workflow. Expectations vary so I’d try to ask for work, just to be safe!

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I would just chill. Reach out after holidays.

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Watch trainings and PLIs. You should take this time to learn.

Relax. You’ll get plenty of opportunity to work after the new year.

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