I’m currently a fourth-year litigation associate, and my firm bumped our annual billable requirement from 1,900 to 2,100 hours without a corresponding raise. I’m already missing family dinners and working most Saturdays just to hit the old target, and this new quota feels completely unsustainable. I want to jump to a firm with a lower requirement, but I’m worried recruiters will think I just can't hack the workload. How do I ask a recruiter about a firm’s actual billable culture without looking like I’m trying to coast?

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I agree with the advice you’ve already received, but I’d add that it’s INSANE for a firm to basically ask you for a free extra month+ of work with no comp change. They’re going to see so many people jump ship. Get the heck outta there!

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This entire profession is dystopian.

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Instead of focusing on wanting fewer hours, ask about associate retention, average hours actually billed, weekend expectations, and how work is staffed. Good recruiters should be able to give you an honest picture of the firm’s culture—not just the official billable target.

You just straight up ask "whats the billable requirement for bonus" and they tell you. Dont get in your head about it.

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